HD-CAL boys handle AGWSR, Saint Ansgar

Published by editor on Wed, 12/08/2021 - 10:49am

Hampton-Dumont-CAL boys basketball started the season with two solid victories.

The Bulldogs hosted AGWSR on Nov. 29, defeating them, 60-31.

On Saturday, the team hosted Saint Ansgar and defeated them, 66-34.

Against AGWSR, the two teams went at each other in the first half.

“This is always a hard fought game and the start was no different this year,” coach Heath Walton said.

The Bulldogs took a 10-point lead into the end of the first quarter.

After building on that lead to end the first half and a solid defensive effort in the second half, HD-CAL sealed a season opening win with balanced scoring and a really good effort on the defensive end.

Eli Walton led the Bulldogs in scoring with 13 points, Scott Harr had 11 and Payton McNealy was in double figures with 10.

A solid rebounding effort had the Bulldogs with 41 rebounds on the night and Scott Harr had a team high 13.

Other statistic leaders had Marco Guerrero with five assists and the team was able to force AGWSR into 22 turnovers.

Against Saint Ansgar, HD-CAL got out to a 24-6 lead to end the first quarter.

The Bulldogs took a 37-16 lead into the locker room at halftime.

The third quarter showed a strong surge from the Dogs with a really strong defensive focus and execution on the offensive end that widened the gap to 60-27 to end the 3rd.

With a final score of 66-34 the Hampton-Dumont CAL improved to 2-0 on the season and will host Osage on Thursday at 7:30 p.m.

Some statistical leaders for the Bulldogs in the victory over the Saints were Scott Harr with a team leading 14 points and 14 Rebounds.

Cal Heeren added 13 points and Tommy Birdsell was also in double figures with 10 points and 3 assists.

Payton McNealy and Will Sackville both added 6 rebounds to the Bulldogs 44 rebound total.

Marco Guerrero added 11 assists to his total on a night the Bulldogs shared the ball extremely well and came out of the locker room at halftime with a real sense of urgency that helped to build the lead to a continuous running clock and all HD-CAL players helping to play a role in this victory.