The #11 (3A) Hampton-Dumont-CAL girls basketball team lost their first game since January 10 (Algona), in a game ruled by the defenses against #8 (3A) Algona, to finish second in the conference. The H-D-CAL boys got behind early and were unable to get back within striking distance in their sixth straight loss to Algona. The Algona girls held on to win 36-32 to claim NCC title outright and the Algona boys won 70-58, as aired on 104.9 KLMJ on Friday.
In the girls game, neither team scored for the first four minutes of the first quarter, Algona took a 9-3 lead before a half-court buzzer beater by Brooklyn Valley for H-D-CAL cut the Algona lead to 9-6 heading to the second. The game was tied at 16-16 with under a minute left before halftime. Algona scored before the half to take a 19-16 lead. There were two ties inside the final minute of the third quarter, including a tie at 25, that remained the score heading to the fourth. Algona outscored H-D-CAL 11-7 in the fourth to take a two possession lead, H-D-CAL got within three points at 35-32 with 10 seconds left, but Algona was able to hang on.
H-D-CAL Head Coach Miranda Stafford on how both teams left it all on the floor and what she’s proud of about her team.
“Isn’t that fun, to watch a good defensive battle. The kids wanted it, fought and played hard. There wasn’t a kid on the floor that didn’t play hard tonight for either team. Everybody knew what was on the line, so no excuses. They played hard. They just made shots down the stretch and we didn’t,” says Stafford. “They put themselves in a position to make this game matter, by showing up every single night and not letting a team that’s not supposed to beat you, beat you. Just very, very proud of them. Proud of our leadership, proud of the things they’ve done. Now we turn our heads and get ready for some postseason ball.”
Lily Hambly led with 10 points and Brooklyn Valley added eight points for the Bulldogs.
In the boys game, each team traded one possession leads to begin the first quarter. H-D-CAL led 11-10 and from that point Algona went on a 13-5 run to go up 23-16. Algona extended their lead to double digits at 42-27 at the half. Algona continued to bring pressure and attack the rim to maintain a double digit lead at 57-43 heading to the fourth. H-D-CAL got within nine points once in the fourth, but was denied from rallying back closer.
H-D-CAL Head Coach Brian Niesen on improvement of the team.
“Another game where our kids didn’t give up and at times we played some really good basketball. It’s like we’ve been saying that a lot, we’re doing some good things. Offensively we’re scoring it more, we just have more options now, we’re definitely getting better,” says Niesen. “They beat us pretty good at our place the first time, so we’re getting better. We didn’t want a moral victory, but you know Algona’s trying to win too. Everybody’s trying to win. Our kids keep getting better and better and I’m proud of them.”
Brady Harr had 21 points and Tramaine Horton added 15 points for the Bulldogs.
The Hampton-Dumont-CAL girls (19-2, 10-2 NCC) have concluded the regular season and will host Clear Lake in Class 3A Region 6 quarterfinal on Saturday, February 15. The Bulldog boys (4-16, 2-10 NCC) will travel to Clarion-Goldfield-Dows on Tuesday.
H-D-CAL Girls Head Coach Miranda Stafford:
H-D-CAL Junior Brady Harr:
