Hunter Horn and Jakob Koopman barely knew each other as freshmen four seasons ago.

The St. Edmond duo made history as seniors, leading the Gaels to their second-ever state championship while being named first team all-state by the Iowa Print Sports Writers Association and Iowa Basketball Coaches Association for 2025-26.

Horn was also named the Class 1A player of the year.

Bishop Garrigan teammates Michael Joyce and Amaury Thomas, along with North Union’s Khael Jones, were named to the 1A squad alongside Horn and Koopman. Nathan Manske from Algona made the list in 3A.

Horn became the first Gael to be named first team all-state in back-to-back seasons since John Engler in 2008 and ’09. That 2008 season was the only other time St. Edmond landed two athletes on the first team in Engler and Andy Nagel.

Along with becoming the St. Edmond career scoring leader during the season, Horn finished as the all-class scoring champion with 721 points after all state tournament games had been completed.

“(Winning player of the year and being all-state again) means everything to me,” Horn said. “Knowing all the hard work has paid off, all the hours in the gym and the late nights. But I couldn’t have done it without my parents, teammates and coaches. They’ve helped me through everything and credit goes to all of them as much as me.

“The last three years have been amazing. I wouldn’t have changed a single thing. It’s been great. All of the memories with everyone, all the meals, going out to together and spending so much time together; winning the state championship was the cherry on top.”

Horn averaged 26 points and over nine rebounds per game during the regular season, shooting 57 percent from the field. During the state tournament, he averaged 22 points and 10 rebounds, earning all-tournament team captain.

After his freshman basketball season, Horn transferred from Fort Dodge Senior High to St. Edmond, joining new teammates under the direction of Adolph Kochendorfer. Since that time, Koopman has become the Robin to Horn’s Batman on — and off — the court.

“It feels so good knowing both Koop and I got it together,” Horn said. “It’s something we’re going to cherish forever, winning a state championship and being named first team all-state. It’s super special for us.”

Koopman suffered a knee injury in the fall of 2022 that kept him off the basketball court throughout his ninth-grade year. He rehabbed and recovered, inserting himself into the starting lineup as a sophomore and never leaving.

This past season, Koopman took on a different role, averaging 9.4 points, 8.4 rebounds, three steals and two assists while locking up the top offensive threat on a nightly basis. That included guarding all-staters Shay Stephens of Burlington Notre Dame, Landon Blum from Woodbine and Bellevue Marquette’s Louis Gonner at state.

“It’s so special to be a first teamer with Hunter,” Koopman said. “Ever since he came here, we’ve done so much together. All the hard work and dedication finally paid off and there’s no better person to share that with.

“The last three years have been so amazing. We’ve done so much and it’s felt like I’ve known him way longer. I’m forever happy that he transferred to St. Edmond.”

Koopman was named third team all-state as a junior for the Gaels. He record a double-double in the semifinals vs. Notre Dame, posting 10 points and seven rebounds per game at state.

“When I was younger, I always wanted to be like the 2000 (state title) team and I looked up to them,” Koopman said. “Now, having accomplished (winning a state championship), I hope I’ve given that to younger generations so they have something to strive to achieve.”

Joyce, a first team selection, and Thomas, who made the second squad, helped Bishop Garrigan reach the state tournament. Joyce averaged 18.5 points, four assists and two steals per game as a junior. Thomas, a senior, posted 15 points and 13 rebounds per game.

Jones, also named to the second group, averaged 20.6 points with 7.4 rebounds, 5.4 assists and four steals a night as a senior. Manske, a third-team pick in 3A, put up 20 points, eight rebounds, three assists and 2.5 steals per contest.

Storm Lake’s Jaidyn Coon, a Creighton commit, was named Iowa’s Mr. Basketball for 2025-26.

-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla
Jakob Koopman of St. Edmond shoots around Marquette Catholic during 1A Championship on Friday inside Casey’s Center in Des Moines