Eagles edge Southeast Warren in thriller, will play No. 1 Gaels for District 14 title

Ankeny Christian Academy’s Isaac Venema tries to shoot over Southeast Warren defender Jaydon Dippold during Friday’s game at ACA. Venema scored four points and had a huge offensive rebound late in the game that led to the go-ahead basket by Jed Rood as the Eagles posted a 50-49 victory in a Class 1A district semifinal. (Photo courtesy of Austin Lundberg)

Survive and advance.

That’s what it’s all about in the basketball postseason.

The second-seeded Ankeny Christian Academy boys’ team overcame its poor outside shooting to defeat visiting Southeast Warren, 50-49, in a Class 1A District 14 semifinal on Friday.

“We weren’t our best offensively, but we found a way to win on the defensive end,” said ACA coach Jay Nihart, whose team shot just 15.4 percent from 3-point range (2-of-13). “I’m super proud of the way the guys played despite some of our offensive struggles. The guys maintained their composure and were blessed by God to pull out a nailbiter!”

**The Ankeny Christian Academy players stand for the national anthem prior to the start of Friday’s game. (Photo courtesy of Austin Lundberg)**

It was the seventh straight victory for the Eagles (20-4), whose winning streak included a 66-59 triumph over Southeast Warren on Feb. 5.

In Friday’s rematch, the Warhawks (17-7) rallied from a 41-37 deficit in the fourth quarter to take the lead in the final minute.

“It was ‘when’ plays that gave us the victory tonight!” Nihart said. “Specifically, ‘when’ Isaac Venema had a monster offensive rebound with 17 seconds left that then translated into a Jed Rood layup (for the go-ahead basket) with 12 seconds remaining.”

Rood finished with 20 points, nine rebounds and two blocks. Marcus Pedersen had eight points on 4-of-4 shooting and also grabbed seven boards.

**Ankeny Christian Academy’s Tyson Fincham sets up the offensive attack during Friday’s game. Fincham had seven points and four steals in the Eagles’ win. (Photo courtesy of Austin Lundberg)**

Tyson Fincham contributed seven points for the Eagles. Kade Clarkson added six points and four assists.

“We came out with great energy on defense, taking an early 8-0 lead thanks to four steals by Tyson in the early minutes of the game,” Nihart said.

ACA held a 14-8 lead at the end of the first quarter, but the Warhawks closed the gap to 24-22 at halftime. The two teams then traded punches in the second half–with the Eagles delivering the last blow.

**The Ankeny Christian Academy student section gets ready for the Eagles to make a free throw during Friday’s game. (Photo courtesy of Austin Lundberg)**

“We are thrilled to live another day and will remain humble and hungry to not allow this be our biggest win of the season,” Nihart said. “We are ready for the next challenge!”

ACA will now face a huge test in the district final on Tuesday, when the Eagles travel to Fort Dodge for a matchup against top-seeded St. Edmond at 7 p.m. The Gaels (21-2) are the No. 1 team in Class 1A.

St. Edmond advanced with a 75-51 win over Earlham, holding the Cardinals to just 28.6 percent shooting from the field (14-of-49). The Gaels have won 11 straight games–10 of them by double digits.