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Bulldogs look to ride momentum

—Photo by Tom Vogt Algona’s Spencer Holmes (23) and Wyatt Wegener (5) defend against St. Edmond’s Andrew Gibb last season in the Gael gym.

ALGONA — On the heels of one of the more memorable football seasons in school history, the Algona boys are hoping to find the same level of success on the hardwood.

The Bulldogs return all five starters and two more key reserves from a team that closed the 2017-18 season with 10 wins in 12 games.

Algona finished 13-9 overall and placed second in the North Central Conference for head coach Noel McLaughlin.

Wyatt Wegener earned first team all-league honors after posting 16 points per game and leading the Bulldogs in rebounds, assists and blocked shots. The 6-foot-2 junior shot 51 percent from the field on the year.

“We have a lot of confidence going into the season knowing that we can play well when we play together,” Wegener said. “Having most of our key pieces back, plus with the success we had in football, helps us want to continue (our winning ways) into the basketball season.”

Joining Wegener in the starting unit will be classmate Collin Bleich, the leader in made 3-pointers last season with 35, along with seniors Spencer Nelson, Spencer Holmes and Skyler Groen.

Matt Grein, a senior who was the quarterback this past fall, and junior Jason Cecil also return with varsity experience under their belts.

Bleich and Nelson each averaged over seven points per game, with Holmes and Cecil chipping in right around four. Nelson and Holmes are three-year letterwinners for Algona.

“We have plenty of experience, length and depth,” McLaughlin said. “We need to continue to work on the defensive end and improve our rebounding.”

Overall, Algona has reached the state tournament sixt imes, with the last appearance coming in 1999. That team placed fourth overall.

Down the stretch last season, the Bulldogs won six of their final seven, including close wins over Spencer, Clarion-Goldfield/Dows, St. Edmond and Iowa Falls-Alden. Wegener posted a season-high of 29 and Nelson a high of 19 in the win over the Cowboys, as Algona scored 88 in all.

They also won five of their final six on the road and finished 8-3 away from home on the season.

First action of the year for the Bulldogs will be Monday, Nov. 26 here vs. Estherville-LC.

BULLDOG RETURNING LEADERS

Points: Wyatt Wegner, 358

Rebounds: Wyatt Wegener, 135

Assists: Wyatt Wegener, 54

Steals: Wyatt Wegener, 35

Blocks: Wyatt Wegener, 16

Made 3s: Collin Bleich, 35

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