Hampton-Dumont-CAL cruises past Webster City

HAMPTON—-- The Hampton-Dumont-CAL Bulldogs girls basketball team had it going on the defensive end during a 44-6 win over Webster City on Dec 19. The Bulldogs improved to 3-6 on the year. The Bulldogs gave up only two points in the first quarter as the team took a 10-2 lead. The Bulldogs then held Webster City scoreless in the second quarter as they outscored their opponent 17-0 to make it a 27-2 game at halftime. In the third quarter, the Bulldogs outscored Webster City 11-1 and outscored Webster City 6-1 in the fourth quarter. Hampton-Dumont-Cal allowed only two field goals in the game.

Head coach Miranda Stafford said that it was a big win for the team heading into their break as it helped their confidence.

“Webster City did not shoot well that night, they are generally better shooters. I thought our guards up top were making it very difficult for them to get into a flow for their offense,” Stafford said. “I don’t think they could get into a rhythm and that was a big win defensively to show our kids that I think we out worked them. It felt good.”

On offense the Bulldogs went 17-for-59 from the field including 4-for-18 from three-point range and 6-for-11 from the free-throw line. Charlee Morton led the way with a game-high 12 points, Brooklyn Valley and Jordan Valley both scored 10 points,

Lily Hambly scored nine points, and Kenzie Moorehead scored three points. The team had 14 assists in the game, Brooklyn Valley led the way with seven assists, Jordan Valley added six assists, and Morton had one assist. 

With having multiple players in double digits and showing the team had more even scoring can make things difficult for other teams according to Stafford. Stafford said that the Bulldogs had four of their five starters score nine or more points in the game. The Bulldogs were able to get easy baskets in transition due to their defense according to Stafford.

The Bulldogs only had six turnovers in the game and Stafford said that ball security has been something the team has worked on since their game against Clear Lake on Dec. 8.

“I thought at Clear Lake we were a little lackadaisical with the ball and since then we have tried to value the basketball and making sure we are getting shots every time,” Stafford said. “So I thought we did a very nice job of not turning the ball over and making sure we got good quality shots.”

On defense the Bulldogs had 20 steals. Brooklyn Valley led the team with nine steals, Jordan Valley added six steals, Hambly added three steals, Morton and Jade Johnston both recorded one steal each.

Even with the win there are still things the team needs to work on according to Stafford and one of those things is working on being more consistent scorers.

“We just need to consistently be able to put the ball in the hoop,” Stafford said. “That comes from getting good quality shots and moving the basketball. As you get into more games and you are playing with each other that comradery gets better and all of those things flow a little bit easier.”

Stafford said that the game showed the team the importance of hard work on defense.

“I think on defense that is what it comes down to a lot of the time is if you are willing to work as hard as you need to,” Stafford said. “When you work hard and you play hard on the defensive end you make things difficult. So I think they bought into that a little bit more with getting that win.”

The team’s next game is on Jan. 5. vs Clarion-Goldfield-Dows at 6:15 p.m.