On Tuesday, December 7th, the Southeast Valley Basketball programs visited the St. Edmond Gaels for the first road contest of the season. In a close, competitive contest the Jaguars fell by the final score of 55-58.  

Tied at 10-10 after four minutes of play, the Gaels closed out the 1st half on a 21-14 run, leading the Jaguars 31-24 at the halftime break. The Jaguars trailed as much as 12 points late in the 3rd quarter before staging a potential comeback with opportunities to take the game back in their favor. In the final quarter, the Jaguars outscored the Gaels 23-17, and cut the score to just a two-point game with two minutes remaining.  

The Jaguars trailed 45-52 with 3 minutes left in the 4th quarter before going on a 5-0 run with Kolson Kruse hitting 2 of 3 from the free throw line after a fouled 3-pointer and Aaron Graves stepping up to hit an open 3-pointer to score a 50-52 reading on the scoreboard. The very next possession (and after allowing an offensive rebound for the Gaels) Kolson Kruse halfway stripped/halfway blocked the ball out of the clutches of St. Edmond's Quenton McCarville and took the ball coast-to-coast but unfortunately couldn't finish at the basket and tie the score at 52 all. Down 55-58, the Jaguar offense had an opportunity to tie the game at the buzzer, but to no avail as Kruse's 3-point attempt clanked off the glass. A big difference in the result of the game came at the free-throw line, where the Jaguars only made one of their final four free-throw attempts, whereas the Gaels made 6 of 9 FT's in the final two minutes. The Jaguars were also out-rebounded 27-35, the second straight game being out-rebounded by the opposing team.  

Aaron Graves led the way in scoring for the Jaguars, scoring a game-high 32 points while achieving over 1,000 points scored in his high school career. This accomplishment came on the very same day he was announced the Gatorade Iowa Football Player of the Year no less. Graves also led the team in rebounding with 14 rebounds and 2 blocked shots. Kolson Kruse scored 14 points on a rough night from the field for him, only shooting 25%. Kruse did have a good night dishing out assists, as he tallied 5 assists to go along with 4 rebounds and 3 steals. Justin Loseke scored 4 points and 2 rebounds. Drew Corell chipped in with 3 points on a made 3-point FG while also posting 2 rebounds and 1 steal. Eli Johsnon rounded out the Jaguar scoring with 2 points. Carl Berglund, Carter Ferry, and Nate Scott also played in the game.  

The Jaguar record now sits at 2-1.  

End of Quarter Scores: St. Edmond's led 17-12, 31-24, 41-31, 58-55.