Written by Tate Garman
The Algona boys’ basketball team is winding down their regular season. They are currently sitting at a record of 15 and 7. The boys have been playing really well as the season goes on. The hard work they have put in is showing as the games get harder. 
On Friday, February 6th, the boys took on the Hampton-Dumont-CAL Bulldogs. The boys played really well in this game, running away with it, 73 to 58. Jacob Burns led the charge with 23 points, Nathan Manske was just behind him with 20, and Landon Campe scored 17. Manske also crashed the boards, grabbing 11 rebounds, and was just shy of a triple double with ten assists.
The following Tuesday, February 10th, the boys traveled to Humboldt to take on a well rounded Wildcat team. The game was back and forth all night but Humboldt ran away with it in the fourth quarter after some key buckets, defeating the Bulldogs 66 to 54. Despite the loss, Manske had 17 points and 10 rebounds. Burns had 15 points, and Jaxon Eischen had 11 points and grabbed eight rebounds.
On February 13th the boys traveled to Iowa Falls-Alden to take on the Cadets. Here the Bulldogs ran away with it, winning 70 to 47. Burns had 28 points on seven three pointers and Manske had 14 points in the win. Manske and Eischen had nine rebounds each.
The next Monday, February 16th, the boys took on the Humboldt Wildcats again, but this time in Algona. At this game the Bulldogs took charge to start with and didn’t back down. The Bulldogs avenged their loss from the week prior, winning 66-56. Leading scorer was Manske with 24 while Eischen pulled in 13 rebounds. Coach Cecil says, “The Dawg Pound brought great energy and made a great atmosphere, and the team executed the game plan.”
On the 17th of February the boys took on a ranked Clear Lake Lions team. The game was a hard fought battle in the first half, but in the second half, the Lions ran away with it, taking the win 84 to 54. Leading in points on the night was Manske with 22.
Tuesday night was also Senior Night for the Algona Bulldog boys. Seniors recognized were Carter Anderson, Levi Walker, Jaxon Eischen, Evan Allie, Aiden Engel, Skylar Oswald, Phillip Myer, and Jorge Contreras. Congratulations to all of the seniors who have done so much for the Algona basketball program.
The Bulldogs’ first playoff game is the 23rd of February where they take on the Humboldt Wildcats for the third time this year. If the Bulldogs win, they advance to the substate quarterfinals where they'll play the winner of Storm Lake vs Denison-Schleswig. If they do not win, their season will come to an end. Good luck Dogs!