(Des Moines, IA) — Riverside’s incredible playoff run came to an end on Saturday night as Ft. Dodge St. Edmond won the Substate Finals 71-54 at the Knapp Center on the campus of Drake University.
Riverside stayed with the much taller Gaels in the first quarter and led for a few minutes. Brody Henderson, Dawson Henderson and Owen Fenner each hit threes in the opening period. However, St. Edmond went inside where it had a size advantage and 6-5 Hunter Horn had 8 points in the first quarter plus Jakob Koopman and Grant Galles each hit a three. The Gaels led 21-17 after one quarter.
In the 2nd quarter, St. Edmond began to pull away. Carson Bargfede hit a huge three pointer to give St. Edmond an eight point lead and a Horn bucket inside made it double digit advantage which Riverside was never able to get under the rest of the night. The Gaels won the 2nd quarter 24-11 and led 45-28 at the half.
The Bulldogs stepped up their defense in the third quarter and outscored St. Edmond 10-9 but it was not enough to make a dent. The Gaels never completely ran away with the game and Riverside played hard until the final minute.
St. Edmond (23-2) was the state runner up a year ago and will be the #1 seed in the Class 1A field this year. Hunter Horn led the Gaels with 28 points, Jakob Koopman had 14 and Carson Bagfrede added 11.
Riverside (14-11) was led by Owen Fenner with 19 points while Peyton Amdor and Dawson Henderson each had 11 points and Brody Henderson added 9.
The Bulldogs graduate three seniors: Brody Henderson, Dawson Henderson and Dane Martens.
Post Game Press Conference with Bulldogs Head Coach Nick Kroon
