Tough Competition and Back to Back Coaches Vs. Cancer for the Bulldogs

The Hampton-Dumont-CAL girls basketball team might not being seeing the results in the win column, but they are improving on the court.  This past week was the toughest week of competition they have faced all year.  The team has not shied away from competition all year.  Although it can be tough to not see the results in the win column the girls have made tremendous growth this season.

The Lady Bulldogs began their week hosting the Algona Bulldogs on Tuesday, January 17th.  The game was a back and forth battle in the first quarter, but the second quarter was all H-D-CAL.  Heading into the lockerroom H-D-CAL was on the board 15-13.  Algona made adjustments at halftime though, reclaiming the lead and never giving it back, with Algona winning a tough fought battle 34-28 over H-D-CAL.

Friday would have the Bulldogs head up to Clear Lake for another NCC battle.  The conference leading Lions would be a tough task for the Bulldogs. On Friday also the Lions hosted the NCC Coaches vs. Cancer night.  The Bulldogs would start the game with a strong gameplan, playing the first quarter to an 11-11 draw.  The Lions adjusted to the pressure from the Bulldogs though and took a 22-16 lead into the locker room.  The Lions continued to make adjustments however and would find their rhythm from the field to pull away in the third quarter, ultimately winning 65-23.  The event was a success ofr all though as the communities would raise a combined $17,273 for cancer research.  The loss dropped the Bulldogs record to 2-12 overall and 2-7 in the North Central Conference.

Saturday for the Bulldogs was also the annual Coaches vs. Cancer games between Hampton-Dumont-CAL and West Fork with the game played in Sheffield this season.  The Warhawks would enter the game as the ninth ranked team in 1A and showed why right out of the gates against the Bulldogs, jumping out to an 18-2 lead at the end of the first quarter.  The Warhawks kept the foot on the gas too, and took a 31-3 lead into halftime, with West Fork then coasting to a 48-11 victory over the Bulldogs.

The Bulldogs head into this week with a 2-13 record and have two NCC road games.  Tuesday they head to Iowa Falls for a rivalry game against the Cadets and Friday they will travel to Humboldt for a clash with the Wildcats.  Regional basketball pairing will be coming out soon as the Bulldogs prepare for the postseason.