Preseason All-Conference Teams: North Central

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Preseason Player of the Year: </strong>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1288917' first='Ben' last='Helmers'] (Algona)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The battle at the top of the NCC between Algona, Humboldt, and Clear Lake should be a good one this year, and whoever comes out on top may have the edge. That said, Helmers is arguably the most dominant offensive player in the league, a skilled three-level scorer who can take over games in the blink of an eye.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>First Team</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1288917' first='Ben' last='Helmers'] (Algona): 20.7 points, 6.0 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 2.7 steals</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A quick, tough lefty who loves to play downhill and get to the rim or get to his spots in the mid-range, Helmers is a really talented scorer who also makes a major impact on the game on the defensive end with his speed and penchant for jumping passing lanes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1907683' first='Hunter' last='Horn'] (St. Edmond): 20.3 points, 10.4 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.6 steals, 1.7 blocks</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Horn was dominant as a sophomore for the Gaels, averaging a double-double and controlling the game in the painted area on both ends of the floor. He's really good on the block, sees the floor well, can defend multiple positions, and can occasionally step out and stretch the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2474854' first='Elliot' last='Carlson'] (Humboldt): 18.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Carlson is a big-time scorer for the Wildcats, a player who can play with or without the ball in his hands and control the game as a scorer or playmaker for his teammates. He knocks down 3s in bunches, and when he gets hot, he's really tough to slow down.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1484419' first='Alex' last='Manske'] (Algona): 16.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 2.3 steals, 37.3 3P%</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The future Iowa State quarterback is a big, athletic forward who can control the painted area as an offensive player or defender, as well as step out and stretch the floor with his jumper. He's a really good perimeter shooter who sets hard screens and knocks down shots as the "pop" man in the pick-and-pop.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1381416' first='Thomas' last='Meyer'] (Clear Lake): 12.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.1 steals, 1.2 blocks, 56.2 FG%</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The future Iowa tight end uses many of those attributes needed on the gridiron to control the hardwood as well, using his athleticism, size, strength, and soft hands to dominate the glass, finish above the rim, and get his teammates involved as a passer out of the mid-and-low post area.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Second Team</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2511501' first='Coen' last='Matson'] (Humboldt)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2025 Carter Weaver (Iowa Falls-Alden)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1759906' first='Titan' last='Schmitt'] (Clear Lake)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2413529' first='Trevor' last='Theobald'] (Clear Lake)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2754705' first='Chaz' last='Lane'] (Clarion-Goldfield-Dows)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Honorable Mentions</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2721465' first='Kale' last='Kalous'] (Iowa Falls-Alden)<br>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2731814' first='Brady' last='Harr'] (Hampton-Dumont-CAL)<br>2027 JD Morical (Clarion-Goldfield-Dows)<br>2026 Jack McElroy (St. Edmond)<br>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2419796' first='Jaxson' last='McIntire'] (Clear Lake)<br>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2413530' first='Max' last='Larson'] (Clear Lake)<br>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2530671' first='Jack' last='Limbaugh'] (Algona) - check his age<br>2025 Mason Van Pelt (Humboldt)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->