The Hampton-Dumont-CAL girls and boys basketball teams brought home their first North Central Conference wins of the season with a pair of down to the wire games at Webster City on Friday, as aired on 104.9 KLMJ. The girls won 36-32 and the boys won 47-46.
In the girls game, Webster City emerged from a tough first quarter of shooting with a 13-6 lead. HD-CAL outscored the Lynx 12-4 in the second quarter, with teamwork on the defensive end and an eight point quarter for MacKenzy Valley. The Bulldogs led 18-17 at the half. In the fourth, with the game tied at 32, Valley banked in a clutch go-ahead floater with 15 seconds left to put the Bulldogs ahead 34-32. The Lynx were denied from attempting an equalizer in the final seconds, as the Bulldogs sealed the win with a late layup by Madison Heilskov. Valley reflects on her go-ahead shot and how hard the team played.
“Definitely a confidence boost knowing that we had a chance and that we were in the game,” says Valley. “It was definitely challenging, but we definitely conquered the battle well. We played well as a team and we played hard.”
Alongside Valley with 13 points, three other Bulldogs contributed six or more points including Bridget Brocka who added eight points. Head Coach Miranda Stafford notes the value of a balanced scoring effort.
“For both of our wins that’s what we’ve had is everybody contributing and everybody getting in the scoring column. That’s what we’re going to have to have in order to have success on the offensive end, is everybody having success there. It was good to see the ball go in the basket,” says Stafford. “I thought we did a good job of pushing the ball and getting some easy baskets. MacKenzy did a good job of attacking the rim and getting some easy baskets. Madison and Bridget finished well underneath the basket tonight. I think that when we play harder on the defensive end, that transitions onto the offensive side as well.”
In the boys game, HD-CAL with good ball movement throughout the first half built up a 22-16 lead at the break. Brady Harr led the Bulldogs with nine points in the half. In a back and forth third quarter, the Bulldogs increased their lead to 36-25 heading to the fourth. In the closing minutes of the fourth, the Lynx clawed back within a 43-40 deficit. The Bulldogs made it a two possession game at the free throw line and led 47-43 inside the final minute of the game. The Lynx trimmed the Bulldogs winning advantage to one point with three as time expired. Head Coach Matt Lokenvitz highlights difference makers.
“This is a tough environment to come in here, play and win. I’d have to go back and look. It’s been over a decade since we’ve won in this building. Proud of our boys and what we were able to accomplish,” says Lokenvitz. “We stretched it out to 11 at one point. The way we were able to stay composed in a hostile environment and make the shots that we needed to make. Great win for the kids, 1-0 in the conference and 2-1 on the season. Hopefully we can continue to build this momentum as we go forward.”
Harr delivered 23 points and Aaden Keehn had 10 points to lead the Bulldogs.
The Hampton-Dumont-CAL girls (2-3, 1-1 NCC) and the boys (2-1, 1-0 NCC) will host Humboldt in conference play on Tuesday.
