Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: Hunter Horn of St. Edmond was recently named a first team all-NCC boys basketball pick.

In his first season with St. Edmond, Hunter Horn took the North Central Conference by storm.

The Gael sophomore averaged a double-double, earning first team all-league honors for his efforts.

Joining him was teammate Sam Mericle, as the senior closed out his career by being named to the second squad.

Humboldt’s Evan Hatcher, Scott Harr of Hampton-Dumont/CAL and Clear Lake’s Thomas Meyer were each unanimous selections, as Meyer’s teammate, Titan Schmitt, and Algona’s Ben Helmers rounded out the first team.

Clear Lake went unbeaten in conference play to claim the regular-season title. Humboldt finished second.

Algona and Hampton-Dumont/CAL tied for third, followed by Webster City, St. Edmond, Iowa Falls-Alden and Clarion-Goldfield/Dows.

Briar Klaver from Webster City, Elliot Carlson of Humboldt and Alex Manske from Algona were on the second. Third-team choices included Jace Larson from Webster City, Carson Nesheim of Clarion-Goldfield/Dows and Coen Matson of Humboldt.

Horn averaged 20.3 points and 10.4 rebounds, shooting almost 50 percent from the field. He also recorded 41 blocks, 39 assists and 38 steals, helping St. Edmond reach a Class 1A district final.

“Hunter is just a really coachable kid that not only can score and rebound, but do so many little things that make the team better,” SEHS head coach Adolph Kochendorfer said. “He really did a great job of adjusting as the season went on, too. And for a post, he is an excellent passer.

“He did a tremendous job of finding his teammates and it’s exciting to have him and four other kids that earned a letter back to build around next year.”

Mericle, who made the third team as a junior, averaged 13 points four rebounds a night, knocking down a team-high 58 triples. He also added 48 assists and 30 steals.

Over his three years in a Gael uniform, Mericle tallied 805 points and hit 118 shots from deep.

“Sam sacrificed some scoring to help us in other areas this season,” Kochendorfer said. “He really was a great senior leader.”

Horn also was named to the 1A all-substate team for St. Edmond.

BOYS ALL-NORTH CENTRAL CONFERENCE

First Team

*Scott Harr, Hampton-Dumont/CAL, sr.; *Evan Hatcher, Humboldt, sr.; *Thomas Meyer, Clear Lake, jr.; Ben Helmers, Algona, sr.; Titan Schmitt, Clear Lake, jr.; Hunter Horn, St. Edmond, soph.

*Denotes unanimous selection

Second Team

Tucker Heeren, Hampton-Dumont/CAL, sr.; Briar Klaver, Webster City, sr.; Sam Mericle, St. Edmond, sr.; Cael Stephany, Clear Lake, sr.; Elliot Carlson, Humboldt, jr.; Alex Manske, Algona, jr.

Third Team

Gavin Anderson, Clear Lake, sr.; Jaden Damiano, Iowa Falls-Alden, sr.; Jace Larson, Webster City, sr.; Dylan Litzel, Clear Lake, sr.; Gavin Meader, Hampton-Dumont/CAL, sr.; Carson Nesheim, Clarion-Goldfield/Dows, sr.; Coen Matson, Humboldt, jr.