Bulldogs break loose in 58-17 win over Charles City girls
Algona senior post player Maddie Miller attempts to score in the paint against Comet Gen Wandro.
Second-quarter 23-0 surge leaves Comets in the dust
By John Burbridge
CHARLES CITY — In the early going of their non-conference girls basketball game against the visiting Algona Bulldogs on Saturday, there was a hint of promise that the Comets were going to make a game of it against their undefeated guests.
Charles City was handling the press better than in games before, and on defense forced a couple of Algona turnovers with some pressure of its own.
Midway through the first quarter, the score was tied at 6.
Then the roof fell in.
Algona went on a 23-0 run in the second quarter to take a commanding 42-9 halftime lead before winning 58-17.
Senior post player Maddie Miller, and freshmen Abigail Holmes and Molly McCauley each scored 11 points for Algona, which improved its record to 4-0.
Charles City senior Kelsi Crooks scored 6 to lead the Comets (0-3).
“We’re still taking baby steps,” Charles City coach Danielle Rippentrop said. “We’re making some improvements … we shot better free throws today (6 of 10).
“We have 10 girls in our program who have never played basketball before, so we don’t have a lot of depth to work with.”
The game was competitive until Holmes hit the first of her three 3-pointers, which gave the Bulldogs a 15-8 lead late in the first quarter.
As the lead swelled, the more the Comets became snake-bitten on offense as they managed get off several high-percentage shots at the basket but couldn’t get anything to fall.
“I can’t go out and make the shots for them,” Rippentrop said. “It comes down to confidence. When our girls make a mistake … like a turnover or missed shot … they too often check out of the game.
“No one has ever played a perfect basketball game. You’ve got to play through your mistakes and not let them affect the rest of your game.”
Charles City’s girls will be back in action on Tuesday when they travel to New Hampton to open Northeast Iowa Conference play.
ALGONA 58, CHARLES CITY 17
Scoring By Quarters
Algona 19 23 5 11— 58
Charles City 9 0 2 6 — 17
ALGONA — Maddie Miller 11, Abigail Holmes 11, Molly McCauley 11, Emma Hjelle 2, Aliyah Buscher 5, Janna Julius 4, Kameryn Etherington 4.
CHARLES CITY — Kelsi Crooks 6, Payton Reams 2, Kara Hoffman 3, Olyvia Zuspan 3, Cinnamon Evans 1, Jodie Sindlinger 2.
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