-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Jakob Koopman of St. Edmond shoots over Woodbine Brody Pryor during 1A quarterfinals on Wednesday inside Wells Fargo Arena

DES MOINES — Carson Bargfrede called Jakob Koopman the “most father-like figure” the St. Edmond boys have on the roster.

Koopman might have looked like an aging NBA veteran with his injured leg heavily wrapped and in a knee brace, but he definitely didn’t play like one here Wednesday evening.

The junior sparked the Gaels to a 52-49 victory over Woodbine inside Wells Fargo Arena and with it, a spot in the Class 1A semifinals opposite Madrid.

Koopman, who suffered the injury in the substate championship win over Bishop Garrigan, scored a game-high 18 points with six rebounds in 25 minutes.

“I just think he wasn’t expecting to play too much with only having one practice and missing as many as he did,” said Bargfrede, who added 16 points with three made 3-pointers. “But Koop is probably the most father-like figure we have on the team and his energy and impact just lifted us all up even more.”

Coming off the bench for the first time this year, Koopman entered with 5:43 to go in the first quarter and scored the first time he touched the basketball. A leg injury his freshman football season kept him off the court and on the sidelines for several months, but there was no keeping him out of this game.

“I went and saw my doctor in Ames and was cleared,” Koopman said. “He said I was good to go and I was playing. (Before Friday) I was worried I wouldn’t get to play but I put my trust in God and we got good news.”

They definitely did.

St. Edmond needed everything they got from Koopman, as leading scorer Hunter Horn was held to just 12. He had eight in the opening half as the Gaels battled Woodbine to a 22-22 draw.

“I think seeing all of that, it really showed the rest of us that it isn’t just one player that makes a team,” Bargfrede said. “We all stepped up and did what we needed to do to win.”

Adolph Kochendorfer, the legendary head coach who led the Gaels to 2000 state title and four other runner-up finishes, echoed those thoughts – despite not realizing Horn was held scoreless through the first 16 minutes.

“I’d have probably had some different words to say,” Kochendorfer smiled. “But no, these kids all stepped up and did an incredible job. Jakob showed how mentally tough he is, Carson made some big baskets when we needed them and we made our free throws late.”

As for Koopman following the game, he’ll take it easy and rest up for the next round.

“Yeah, I’m sure I’ll be pretty sore once the adrenaline wears off,” he said. “But it was all worth it.”