Written by Taylor VanOtterloo
The Algona girls’ and boys’ basketball teams have a busy and important couple of weeks coming up. The girls currently sit at 16-3 overall and are 10-0 in the North Central Conference. As the postseason brackets came out Wednesday for the girls, the Bulldogs are ranked eighth in class 3A and are guaranteed a first round home game. Regarding the remainder of the season and postseason play, Hayden Kuhlmann states, “Survive and advance!” Additionally, the boys’ basketball team currently sits at 7-11 overall and are 4-6 in the NCC. The boys have two weeks left of the regular season before the postseason play begins for them. When asked about the basketball season so far, Landon Campe says, “Rough seas make skillful sailors.”
On Friday, January 31st, the Webster City Lynx came to town. This game was also the annual Pink Out game that helped support those affected with breast cancer. Through a bake sale, clothing order, and pass the bucket activity, money was collected. Together the basketball teams raised $11,101 which was donated to the Kossuth County Cancer Foundation. The leading scorer for the lady Bulldogs was Maya Lentz with 15 points, while Hayden McLaughlin led the team in rebounds with four of the five being offensive. Ben Helmers led the boys’ team with 28 points, and Landon Campe dished out three assists.
Next, the Bulldogs played the Mason City Riverhawks. The boys played Saturday, February 1st. The Riverhawks came into the game with an overall record of 6-7. Ben Helmers had a very solid game, coming away with 32 points and five assists. However, the Bulldogs ended up just short with a 65-62 final score.
After a quick turn around, the boys played at Clarion-Goldfield-Dows on Monday, February 3rd. The game was evenly played through three quarters, until the Bulldogs shut them out in the fourth and ultimately came out with the win. The leading scorer of the night was Ben Helmers with 40 points while Nathan Manske led the team in rebounds with 10. Since Clarion did not have a Varsity basketball girls’ team this year, the girls played a non-Conference matchup with Mason City. Through toughness, the Bulldogs were able to collect another win. Lauren McLaughlin led the Bulldogs in points with 13 and had a great night with two blocks.
Next up, the Bulldogs will host Hampton-Dumont-CAL in a classic NCC matchup on Friday, February 7th. The battle of the Bulldogs is promised to be a good matchup for both the girls and boys. Following the game, high school students get an opportunity to compete in a 3-point contest for Whoopcoming. A bag of candy and a G.O.A.T. trophy are on the line for the top shooter at AHS.