The Lancers finished their 2025-26 campaign 12-14 overall and finished third in the Camden Conference South Division.

Canby’s ride came to an end in the Section 3A North subsection quarterfinals on Feb. 21 in a competitive battle with Minneota, coming up short in a 56-45 loss. The Lancers held a 21-20 edge at the break in the matchup before the Vikings swung momentum their way in the second half.

“When the coaches told us to [step] up, we were like, ‘we have nothing to lose,'” Canby senior Emily Nelson said following the game. “I feel like we all had passion to win the game. We never gave up at any point.”

Canby also opened up this season with Minneota on Dec 2. The down-to-the-wire fight led to a Lancers’ 61-60 loss, but Canby showed the group’s talent.

Photo by Samantha Davis: Canby senior Addison Driessen attacks the paint against Minneota at Montevideo High School in the Section 3A North subsection quarterfinals on Feb. 21.

Particularly, Brynn Kockelmen led Canby with 22 points behind 5-for-8 shooting at the perimeter, including a personal 12-0 run where she hit four straight 3-pointers in the first half.

Kockelman continued to put together a strong senior season, and served as a staple in the Lancers’ offense and on the scoring front.

Canby started off the year dropping its first three contests, but put together a strong stretch about midway through the regular season with four wins in five games, and did it again in early February to head into the postseason with momentum.

Kockelman Nelson credited the coaching staff at the conclusion of their season for the preparedness and passion they instilled in the team throughout the entire year.

“It’s been a lot of fun with these girls and the coaches. The coaches, sometimes we get a little off track, but they know how to deal with it, so they let us kind of goof off,” Kockelman said, laughing. “It’s been a pleasure playing with these girls and being coached by my coaches.”

Photo by Samantha Davis: Canby junior Ava Danielson looks around on offense against Minneota at Montevideo High School in the Section 3A North subsection quarterfinals on Feb. 21.

Canby finished the prior season at .500 with a 13-13 record in 2024-25.

Leading the helm for the Lancers this season were seniors Nelson, Kockelman, Addison Driessen and Ella Thovson.

Following Canby’s season-ending loss to Minneota in the quarterfinals, both Nelson and Kockelman noted how it’s been a meaningful run with the group, citing that they’ve all been playing together for years.

“I’m proud of how well we clicked,” Kockelman said regarding the season overall. “Our team chemistry was there, and we just had fun together.”

Come next season, the Lancers will again return a group of older and experienced players, as a majority of juniors and sophomores got significant playing time this year.