Written by Taylor Coleman
The Algona girls’ basketball team currently has a record of 20 and 4 and are rolling through the postseason.
The girls beat Humboldt on Tuesday, February 10, 2026. The final score was 83 to 46. Bella Jo Dunning led the way with her career high 26 points. Kate Limbaugh had 8 rebounds and Emma Spear had 5 assists. The last Conference win on Tuesday earned the Bulldogs a share of the North Central Conference Championship, splitting the title with Clear Lake. This is the third straight North Central Conference Championship for the girls’ basketball team.
Next up the Bulldogs played the Southeast Valley Jaguars on Saturday, February 14th, at the Algona High School gymnasium. This was round 1 of postseason play. The Bulldogs beat the Jaguars with the final score being 71-13. Hayden McLaughlin was the lead scorer with 14 points, Bella Jo Dunning had 5 rebounds, and Taylor VanOtterloo had 7 assists. Junior Hayden McLaughlin says, “Saturday was a fun way to start the post season with my teammates.” 
The win advanced the girls to round 2, where they hosted Clear Lake on Wednesday, February 18. The Bulldogs won a closely contested battle against the Lions, sending them to their fourth straight Regional final. The ending score was 42-40. Maya Lentz led the team with 14 points, she needed one more point for a career high! Emma Spear had 8 points along with 2 steals. Freshman Kate Limbaugh had 16 rebounds and Bella Jo Dunning had three assists.
The Bulldogs advance to the Regional Finals and play Forest City at the Forest City High School gymnasium on Saturday, February 21st, at 7 pm. The Indians go into this match with a record of 21-3. The Bulldogs and Indians did face off earlier this year, in the first game of the season. The Indians came away with a win by three points, but both teams have grown a lot throughout the season, so it should be a good match up with a chance at State on the line. Good luck Bulldogs!