The St. Edmond girls enter postseason play riding a strong wave of momentum.

For the first time since the 2014-15 season, the Gaels (15-5 overall) reached the 15-win mark and won at least 10 games in the North Central Conference.

Now they hope to continue the success when they host Collins-Maxwell (1-18) in a Class 1A, Region 2 opener here Thursday night. Tip is set for 7 p.m.

Head coach CJ Tracy and an experienced group of players have helped turn the tide in the program, which has now won 23 games over the last two seasons combined. A year ago, the Gaels reached the regional semifinals before falling to Coon Rapids-Bayard in double-overtime, 50-42.

St. Edmond has won five of six overall around a one-point loss to 3A Clear Lake, and is 10-2 in its last 12. The Gaels have lost to just one 1A team in top-ranked Bishop Garrigan, who could be the opponent standing in front of them for a regional semifinal.

Freshman Eden Horn has paired herself along three returning starters from a year ago and a key reserve, leading the team with 14 points and almost 15 rebounds per game. Horn ranks among the state leaders in rebounds and blocked shots.

Junior Chloe Palmer adds 12.4 points, five rebounds and 4.6 assists; classmate Abby Huss is averaging seven points per game; and senior Anna Lursen adds over six rebounds and four assists per contest.

Sophia Schlienz, another junior who moved into the starting lineup this year, adds seven points and is tied for the team lead with Huss for made 3-pointers at 37.

The Spartans are led by junior Ava Pasquariello, who averages 7.6 points and nine rebounds a game. Rosalei Reed, also a junior, adds four points and eight rebounds.

Bishop Garrigan (19-2) received a bye through to the quarterfinals and will face either West Bend-Mallard (8-13) or Ankeny Christian (11-9). With a win on Thursday, St. Edmond would host either Baxter (15-6) or Colo-Nesco (8-13) on Tuesday.