Preseason All-Conference Teams: North Central
In this article:
Preseason Player of the Year: 2025 Ben Helmers Ben Helmers 6'4" | PG Algona | 2025 State IA (Algona) Helmers is a bouncy, athletic combo guard who can play with or without the ball in his hands. He’s a talented…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingPreseason Player of the Year: 2025 Ben Helmers Ben Helmers 6'4" | PG Algona | 2025 State IA (Algona)
Helmers is a bouncy, athletic combo guard who can play with or without the ball in his hands. He’s a talented playmaker and versatile defender who is probably the best all-around player in the league.
First Team
2025 Ben Helmers Ben Helmers 6'4" | PG Algona | 2025 State IA (Algona): 18.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 2.1 steals, 1.3 blocks, 53.5 FG%, 37.6 3P%
A shifty athlete who stuffs the stat sheet in a variety of ways, Helmers can do a little bit of everything on the floor for the Bulldogs, who will battle it out with Clear Lake, Humbolt, and Webster City at the top of the NCC.
2025 Thomas Meyer Thomas Meyer 6'4" | SF Clear Lake | 2025 State IA (Clear Lake): 14.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.2 steals, 71.4 FG%
Meyer is a sought after prospect on the gridiron, holding offers from Iowa, Iowa State, Kansas State, and Wisconsin, among others. Many of the same traits that make him a valued prospect on the football field stand out on the hardwood. He’s a mobile big man with great hands and athleticism. He’s an extremely efficient offensive weapon who finishes above the rim and controls the glass on both ends of the floor.
2024 Scott Harr Scott Harr 6'4" | C Hampton-Dumont | 2024 State IA (Hampton-Dumont-CAL): 21.4 points, 13.1 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.2 steals, 56.7 FG%
Harr was a double-double machine last season for the Bulldogs, using his big, physical 6-5 frame to control the glass on both ends of the floor and dominate games as an interior scorer. He’s a good all-around offensive weapon who also sees the floor well and is a good passer out of the post.
2024 Evan Hatcher Evan Hatcher 6'3" | PF Humboldt | 2024 State IA (Humboldt): 13.6 points, 8.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 52.3 FG%, 45.8 3P%, 82.7 FT%
A 6-2 forward who finishes around the rim efficiently, controls the glass, and can really stretch the floor, Hatcher is able to provide some versatility on both ends of the floor for the Wildcats.
2024 Sam Mericle Sam Mericle 6'1" | PG St. Edmond | 2024 State IA (St. Edmond): 17.6 points, 5.7 rebounds, 1.6 assists
A 6-1 guard who can score from all three levels, Mericle had a great junior year for the Gaels as a versatile scoring threat. Following the graduation of Jackson Palmer, who also averaged north of 17 points a game, Mericle’s numbers could skyrocket.
Second Team
2025 Alex Manske Alex Manske 6'3" | SG Algona | 2025 State IA (Algona)
2024 Briar Klaver Briar Klaver 6'4" | SF Webster City | 2024 State IA (Webster City)
224 Carson Nesheim (Clarion-Goldfield-Dows)
2024 Cael Stephany Cael Stephany 6'1" | PG Clear Lake | 2024 State IA (Clear Lake)
2025 Elliot Carlson (Humboldt)
Honorable Mentions
2024
Landon Welp
Landon
Welp
5'11" | PG
Algona | 2024
State
IA
(Algona)
2024 Jaden Damiano (Iowa Falls-Alden)
2025 Carter Weaver (Iowa Falls-Alden)
2026 Evan Allie (Algona)
2026 Jack McElroy (St. Edmond)
2024 JT Laufersweiler (St. Edmond)
2024 Braden Doering (Webster City)
2024 Caden Hankins (Clarion-Goldfield-Dows)
2025
Titan Schmitt
Titan
Schmitt
6'0" | SG
Clear Lake | 2025
State
IA
(Clear Lake)
2024 Corey Dettmann (Humboldt)
2025 Calvin Hutchinson (Iowa Falls-Alden)
2024 Nick Regan (Iowa Falls-Alden)
2024 Tucker Heeren (Hampton-Dumont-CAL)
2024
Dylan Litzel
Dylan
Litzel
6'4" | PF
Clear Lake | 2024
State
IA
(Clear Lake)
2027 Cason Riser (Clear Lake)