The run toward what they hope will be a Class 2A State Title continues today for the PCM boys basketball team, as the Mustangs return to Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines to face St. Edmond of Fort Dodge in the State Quarterfinals. After consecutive postseason wins over teams with strong post players, the Mustangs will now have to shift their attention to stopping players out of the Gaels’ backcourt.

“They’ve got an outstanding point guard; his name is Nick Clark. He can shoot it from anywhere, he’s a great penetrator [sic], great passer, just a real heady kid. He can change directions and get by you really easily, and he’s just a really, really tough kid to guard. All of the stuff they [St. Edmond] do revolves around him,” says PCM head coach Fred Lorensen.

“They’ve got the two Flattery boys – there’s a Neil Flattery and a David Flattery. They both started a year ago as well. They’re a couple of senior kids that are strong, good shooters – they’re just really good basketball players. So they’re going to be a tough match-up for us, and we just hope we can be a tough match-up for them as well.”

St. Edmond enters the tournament with an 18-6 record, having toppled Des Moines Christian in the Substate Finals. It’s the fifth time the Gaels have made the State Tournament; with the last coming in 2009. In 2004, a Brandon Meyers-led PCM squad defeated St. Edmond in double-overtime in the Class 2A State Title game. This year’s Mustangs squad has won 18 consecutive games and is 22-2 overall, but enters the game with the status of injured forward Scott Bruxvoort still listed as a game-time decision.

Coverage of today’s Class 2A State Quarterfinal between PCM and St. Edmond will be broadcast live on 92.1 fm KRLS, with Eric Gotschall and Mark Amadeo live from Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines; starting at approximately 11:45 a.m.