Busy week ahead for St. Edmond
St. Edmond will welcome back its only boys state championship team this week along with hitting the court three times.
The Gaels host North Central Conference rival Humboldt on Tuesday, head to Pocahontas Area Thursday and welcome in Clear Lake on Friday.
All three doubleheaders begin at 6:15 p.m. with the girls contest.
On Friday, the 2000 team that captured the Class 2A state title will be recognized during halftime of the boys contest.
Both league games provide the seventh-ranked (1A) St. Edmond boys (15-2 overall, 9-2 in the NCC) with an opportunity to avenge earlier losses. Back in early January, Humboldt (11-5, 8-2) picked up a 95-66 victory at home, winning for the 11th time in the series to even it at 17-all since 2006.
Hunter Horn, a junior, currently leads the way at 23 points per game while classmates Jakob Koopman (11.3) and Carson Bargfrede (9.4) are next in line. Horn is also averaging 9.4 rebounds, while 11th-grader Jack McElroy is at six assists a night.
The Wildcats are paced by seniors Elliot Carlson, Coen Matson and Mason Van Pelt. Carlson averages 21 points, Matson 14 and Van Pelt almost 10. Humboldt, who has knocked down 142 three-pointers this year, is coming off a loss to Clear Lake last week.
Pocahontas Area (3-14) got in the win column against Storm Lake St. Mary’s last Friday. Freshman Karson Welander leads the team in scoring with senior Gabe Ehn adding 11 points and eight rebounds.
No. 1 (3A) Clear Lake (15-0, 9-0) holds a margin of victory of 28 points, averaging almost 74 per game. University of Iowa football signee Thomas Meyer leads the way at 17 points and 8.5 boards followed by Jaxson McIntire and Carson Riser.
The St. Edmond girls (5-11, 1-7) are coming off a fourth consecutive loss, but two of those games have been decided by a total of 10 points. Chloe Palmer, a sophomore, is up to 10.5 points per game followed by seniors Josie Harvey and Payton Bradley.
Humboldt (9-9, 4-4) will be looking to snap a two-game slide with all-time leading scorer Morgan Mann leading the way at 16.6 points, 6.6 rebounds and 2.3 assists a night.
No. 13 (3A) Pocahontas Area (13-5) is 3-2 in its last five around losses to ranked teams Newell-Fonda and Algona. Madison Vila, a senior, leads a balanced scoring attack at 13.7 a night followed by Alayna Kakacek and Danica Dreith.
Clear Lake (6-10, 4-5) has won two in a row as senior Madi Ott paces the attack with 10 points and almost 10 rebounds a night.
A social at Olde Boston’s immediately following Friday’s game will be held to celebrate the 25th anniversary.