—Submitted Photo by Key Photography The St. Edmond basketball team will be competing in the state tournament for the first time since the 2012 season. The Gaels will face Woodbine on Wednesday at 3:45 p.m. in Des Moines.

DES MOINES — After watching as the other three classes all hit the floor here inside Wells Fargo Arena this week, the St. Edmond boys and the rest of Class 1A get their chance to shine.

The Gaels make their long-awaited return to the state tournament, taking on Woodbine beginning at 3:45 p.m. The game will be the fourth and final 1A quarterfinal matchup.

It has been over a week since St. Edmond (22-3 overall) punched its ticket to the elite eight for the first time since finishing second in 2A in 2012. This marks the 14th trip to state all-time for the program, who has a state title and four runner-up finishes since 2000 under head coach Adolph Kochendorfer.

Kochendorfer, who admitted following the substate championship victory over Bishop Garrigan that he wasn’t sure another state trip was in the cards, has molded a youthful group led by junior all-state candidate Hunter Horn into a winning machine.

“We had a good couple days of practice here this past week,” Kochendorfer said. “We had to wake them up a bit with spring break and no school but overall they have done what we’ve asked and seem locked in.”

Horn, who surpassed 1,000 career points earlier this year, averages 24.4 points on 60 percent shooting from the field with nearly 10 rebounds per game. He is flanked by classmates Jakob Koopman, Jack McElroy and Grant Galles in the starting lineup with lone senior Andrew Clavey rounding out the five.

Koopman is second on the team at 11 points and eight rebounds a game. He is expected to suit up after suffering a hamstring injury in the second half vs. Garrigan.

McElroy, who exploded for 18 in the substate final, averages six assists a game while another junior, Carson Bargfrede, adds nearly 10 points. Galles adds 6.6 points and Clavey six a game.

“Jakob did the rehab and was cleared to play,” Kochendorfer said. “He just rode a bike last week so he wasn’t in the best shape but he had a good day of practice on Tuesday. We’ll bring him off the bench and move Carson into the starting lineup.

“It’s been nice to have a few extra days to work everybody into those roles and get adjusted.”

Competing in the North Central Conference, a league that features 3A semifinalist Clear Lake, challenged St. Edmond throughout the year. The Gaels played just seven games against fellow 1A schools, going a perfect 7-0, as all three losses came to larger programs in Clear Lake (twice) and Humboldt.

“We are familiar with playing physical teams,” Kochendorfer said. “This will be nothing new or anything they have not seen. It definitely helps going up against those teams all year to prepare you for this.”

Entering the week, St. Edmond ranked tied for sixth among all qualifiers this year in wins all-time at state with 18. Only Ames, Valley, Linn-Mar, Cedar Rapids Kennedy — who are all in 4A — and Western Christian had more, as the Gaels are tied with North Linn.

“It should be a really good crowd and a great environment,” Kochendorfer said. “The people I’ve talked to have been excited so that is neat to see.”

In the other 1A quarters, Gladbrook-Reinbeck plays North Linn, Bellevue Marquette meets Remsen St. Mary’s and Madrid takes on Boyden-Hull. The winner between St. Edmond and Woodbine faces either Madrid or Boyden-Hull in Thursday’s semis.