Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: St. Edmond junior Chloe Palmer goes to the basket against Humboldt in the Gael gym. Palmer was a first team all-North Central Conference pick for the 2025-26 season.

The surging St. Edmond girls placed three players on the all-North Central Conference honor roll for 2025-26, led by first team selection Chloe Palmer.

Freshman Eden Horn was named second team choice, and senior Anna Lursen landed on the third squad.

Humboldt’s Ava Fischer was one of three unanimous choices, along with Jacelyn Ainley of Clear Lake and Elody England from Iowa Falls-Alden. Fischer was also the lone senior named to the first team.

Bella Jo Dunning of Algona, Evie Davis from Webster City, Ashleigh Amble of Clear Lake and MacKenzy Valley from Hampton-Dumont/CAL were all on the second team with Horn.

The third squad included Lursen, Humboldt’s Jada VandeWalle, Algona’s Maya Lentz, Alex Theiss and Taylor Schwenn from Clear Lake, Madison Heilskov of Hampton-Dumont and Dani Rieks from Iowa Falls-Alden.

“It’s the first time we’ve had three (Gaels) named all-NCC since I have been here,” SEHS head coach CJ Tracy said. “It’s truly a testament to the work ethic of the girls. They were the ones putting in the time at open gyms and after practices to get better, so it is nice to see them get the recognition for everything they have done with our the program.”

Algona and Clear Lake tied for the NCC regular-season title, as both finished 13-1 on the year. St. Edmond placed third, going 10-4, followed by Iowa Falls-Alden, Hampton-Dumont/CAL, Humboldt, Webster City and Clarion-Goldfield/Dows.

Palmer, a junior, tied for the conference lead in assists and ranked in the Top-5 in field goal attempts and made 3-pointers. She averaged 13 points, 5.5 rebounds, four assists and nearly three steals in league contests.

“If you started a team and had to pick a point guard first, Chloe would be my first selection without a doubt,” Tracy said. “She spends so much time in the gym and cares about the team more than anything.

“She could average more points, but her focus is on winning first and leading this team.”

Despite being a varsity newcomer, Horn paced the NCC in offensive rebounds, defensive rebounds, total rebounds and blocked shots. She posted 13.8 points, 14.5 rebounds and 4.5 blocks per game.

“Eden showed tremendous growth over the season,” Tracy said. “She developed some toughness to go along with her height. We’ll continue to add to her skills as she develops.”

Lursen, a University of South Dakota track and field recruit, was the league leader in steals and ranked third in assists. She averaged five points, 6.6 rebounds, four steals and nearly four assists.

“It was a great way for Anna to go out after making second team as a sophomore and just missing out as a junior,” Tracy said. “She finished her career with over 600 rebounds and over 300 steals. Her growth from her freshman year to this past season has been fun to watch.”

Fischer ranked second in the league in scoring and first in made 3-pointers.

England was the conference scoring champion.

GIRLS ALL-NORTH CENTRAL CONFERENCE BASKETBALL

First Team

*Ava Fischer, Humboldt, sr.; *Jacelyn Ainley, Clear Lake, soph.; *Elody England, Iowa Falls-Alden, soph.; Hayden McLaughlin, Algona, jr.; Chloe Palmer, St. Edmond, jr.; Kate Limbaugh, Algona, fr.

*Denotes unanimous selection

Second Team

Ashleigh Amble, Clear Lake, sr.; Bella Jo Dunning, Algona, jr.; Izzy Janssen, Iowa Falls-Alden, jr.; Evie Davis, Webster City, soph.; MacKenzy Valley, Hampton-Dumont/CAL, soph.; Eden Horn, St. Edmond, fr.

Third Team

Anna Lursen, St. Edmond, sr.; Alex Theiss, Clear Lake, sr.; Madison Heilskov, Hampton-Dumont/CAL, jr.; Maya Lentz, Algona, jr.; Dani Rieks, Iowa Falls-Alden, jr.; Taylor Schwenn, Clear Lake, jr.; Jada VandeWalle, Humboldt, jr.