Written by Tate Garman
The Algona Bulldogs’ high school boys’ basketball team is currently 8 and 4 on the season, with several good wins and some close losses.
Coming out of winter break, the Bulldogs took on Clarion-Goldfield-Dows where they had a hard fought game, losing in overtime 61 to 67. Despite the loss, Nathan Manske had a double double, scoring 34 points and grabbing 12 rebounds while also having four steals.
The Bulldogs didn't let the loss bother them and won the next three games. To start the win streak they took on the Hampton-Dumont-Cal Bulldogs, where the boys came out on top 80 to 65.The Bulldogs had a lot of high scorers in this game. Evan Allie had 27 points, Jacob Burns had 21 points, and Manske had 13 points and 10 rebounds in the win.
Next the Bulldogs played Garner Hayfield Ventura where the Bulldogs defeated the Cardinals 64 to 50. Manske scored 33 points, leading the Bulldogs in scoring, while Burns scored 11 points, and Jaxon Eischen hustled after the rebounds, grabbing eight of them for the Bulldogs.
On January 17th, the Bulldogs traveled to Spencer where they played a very close game. The game was a back and forth battle until the end of the game. Spencer took the lead with only a few minutes left in the game, but the Bulldogs didn't let that bother them, getting some steals and running away with the game, winning 52 to 48. In this win, Manske and Landon Campe combined for a total of 28 points. Campe also crashed the boards, grabbing 10 rebounds.
On Tuesday, January 20th, the boys traveled to play a tough, #2 ranked Clear Lake team. The boys played very well in the first half, keeping the game very close, but in the second half the Lions ran away with it, taking down the Bulldogs 83 to 54.
The boys were back in action on Thursday, January 22nd, in Pocahontas. The Bulldogs played very well, beating Pocahontas 87 to 60.
Next the Bulldogs hosted Iowa Falls on January 23rd, where they took the win 70-47. There was no Junior Varsity game before due to the weather, so the Bulldogs taking the big lead allowed for some younger players to get in and get some experience.
Before winter break, the team was sitting at a record of 3-2. The first of the Bulldogs’ wins came from Mason City, where the Bulldogs took the win because of an ineligible Mason City player. They then took on the Charles City Comets, coming out on top 90 to 65. At St. Edmond, they unfortunately fell short, losing 58 to 79 to a strong Gaels team. The boys split their next two games, beating Webster City 75 to 48 and losing to the cross town rivals, Bishop Garrigan, 43 to 64. Going into the break Manske led the team in scoring, averaging 15.6 points per game, while also crashing the boards, averaging 5.6 in rebounds per game. Campe and Eischen led the team with about three steals per game.
Next up for the Dogs, they host St Edmonds on the 27th of January.