Belle Pauli and Avery Schuneman Named All-Conference Players

Belle Pauli and Avery Schuneman, both sophomores at MHS, have been named to the Northeast Conference All-Conference list of girls basketball players for the 2025-26 season. Pauli, a 5’ 10 forward, was named to the first team. Schuneman, a 5’6” guard, made the second team.

Tony Howard, head coach for Milbank commented, “Belle and Avery were both captains of our team this year.  Both are very good leaders. Both are great teammates, and neither care about anything other than how to help our team win!” 

Howard said the All-Conference award is a huge pat on the back because although the NEC coaches choose the honorees, they are only allowed to vote for girls on other teams. “It’s a big compliment to Avery and Belle that they stood out for the other head coaches, and that they voted for these two girls.”

Each has a long list of abilities, but Howard offered a brief highlight reel for Belle: On offense, Belle’s strengths include her ability to score both inside the paint and stepping out and hitting 3-point shots. Belle can finish with either hand in the paint, and she is very hard to stop once she gets position on the defense.” 

“Belle also has a knack for getting offensive rebounds. That is such a big deal in basketball! Defensively, Belle plays extremely physically and is an outstanding rebounder. She’s also pretty versatile on defense.That is a big advantage for us.” 

Howard’s highlight reel for Avery was equally impressive: “Avery can do a lot of things really well. Offensively, she can shoot 3s, she finishes around the rim, and she is an excellent passer.  She has a really quick first step off the dribble that allows her to attack the rim and create so many different options for our offense. Avery is also really good at getting her teammates shots.”

“Defensively, Avery is very active with her hands in causing deflections, and she has really good anticipation. This allows her to get several steals in each game,” Howard added.

Statistics aside, Howard said every player brings something unique to the court.  “Belle sets the tone for our team by how physical she plays. Avery is very good at keeping everyone calm and upbeat even when things get a little crazy. Both Avery and Belle are great at keeping our practices intense and getting everyone “locked” in for games.  As a duo, they work together perfectly in helping to lead this team. They are excellent role models for our younger players.”

“I’m very proud of these girls and how they helped contribute – both by their play and their leadership – to our team’s success this year,” Howard said. 

The Lady Bulldogs won 17 games this season. They continued into the postseason until the semifinals, when they took a two-point loss that went down to the wire in not just one OT, but two OTs. 

Hamlin senior Addison Neuendorf was named the NEC MVP. Neuendorf ended her season and her high school career by putting up 22 points in the consolation game of South Dakota’s 2026 Girls Class A State Basketball Championships on Saturday, March 14, in Watertown. The Chargers finished in fourth place. 

No 5 Lennox, won the title by defeating No. 2 Mahpíya Lúta 65-51. Lennox took home the championship trophy for the first time since 1988. 

In Class B, No. 4 Ethan beat No. 6 Harding County 48-39 in Brookings. Ethan won the title for the first time in over a decade.  

For the third consecutive year, the O’Gorman girls won the AA championship. Brandon Valley was the bridesmaid all three years. This year OG defeated BV 59-53 in Rapid City. The final game was close at 59-53, and it was BV’s only loss of the season. 

2025-26 Northeast Conference Girls Basketball All- Conference Teams
1st Team
Addison Neuendorf, –  Senior –  Hamlin
Issie Steffensen –  Junior –  Hamlin
Belle Pauli –  Sophomore –  Milbank
Shelby Begeman –  Freshman    Clark/Willow Lake
Claire Crawford –  Senior –  Aberdeen Roncalli

2nd Team
Jensen –  Sophomore –  Hamlin
Jerica Locke –  Senior – Groton Area
Piper Langager – Freshman –  Sisseton
Kamryn Nesheim – Sophomore –  Clark/Willow Lake
Avery Schuneman – Sophomore –  Milbank

3rd Team
Taryn Traphagen –  Junior –  Groton Area
Rylee Voeller – Senior –  Aberdeen Roncalli
Elliot Hortness – Senior – Sisseton
Jaedyn Penning – Senior – Groton Area
Brynn Roerich – Junior –  Clark/Willow Lake

Submitted Photos– Belle Pauli and Avery Schuneman