The #11 (3A) Hampton-Dumont-CAL girls basketball will take the floor in its first regional final since 2016 with a long road trip to #6 (3A) Estherville Lincoln Central for the Class 3A Region 6 final on Saturday, which will air on 99 The Wave. The Bulldogs will look to punch their ticket to the state tournament for the first time since 2000. This will be the first meeting between the programs since 2022.
Hampton-Dumont-CAL (21-2) matched their best record in the last decade with the 2014-15 season, where they also went 21-2. The Bulldogs advanced to the final with a 46-41 quarterfinal win over Clear Lake and a 63-44 semifinal win over Iowa Falls-Alden on Wednesday. The Bulldogs defense has been paramount in a next level season, holding opponents to an average of 35.3 points per game, along with 12.9 steals per game.
Bulldogs Head Coach Miranda Stafford on staying composed and Midgets top scorer Haylee Stokes.
“We’re going to a veteran team. We’re going to a team that’s been at the state tournament, their seniors have been there for the last three years, they know what to do. They know how to play in these games. It’s unchartered territory for our kids. I know that we’re going to play hard. I know that what got us here is staying composed. As long as we can do those things, we’re going to be okay,” says Stafford. “They have got a great guard. Haley Stokes, is a great facilitator and can score. We’ll be prepared. We’ll get a game plan together. We get to play Saturday night, that is fun to say and what a great opportunity.”
Three Bulldogs are averaging double figures in scoring including Jordan Valley with 11.6 points, Lily Hambly with 10.2 points and Brooklyn Valley with 10 points per game.
Estherville Lincoln Central (19-3) was last year’s 3A state runner-up. The Midgets advanced to the final with an 83-17 quarterfinal win over Eagle Grove and a 64-27 semifinal win over Humboldt on Wednesday. ELC also has a really stout defensive team allowing 34.8 points per game, along with 14 steals per game. Haylee Stokes paces the team with 24 points per game, followed by Rylee Yager with 14.3 points per game.
Coverage on 99 The Wave will begin at 6:40 p.m. followed by the opening tip at 7:00 p.m. in Estherville.
