—Messenger photo by Britt Kudla BISHOP Garrigan’s Cade Winkel dribbles away from St. Edmond’s Jed Tracy in the Gael gym this season. Winkel is sitting at 994 career points.

ALGONA — As Cade and Angelo Winkel close in on a milestone, the Bishop Garrigan brothers are also making sure to enjoy each and every minute on the court together for the final time.

Cade Winkel, a senior, currently sits at 994 career points, with Angelo, a junior, having scored 983 for the second-ranked (Class 1A) Golden Bears (11-1 overall). Both will have a chance to become what is believed to be the first brother tandem to go over the 1,000-point mark in the same game when they face No. 7 (1A) Lake Mills (11-1) on Tuesday night.

“I have gotten the chance to play with my brother now for three years and it’s been fun and hard,” said Cade, who will play at Briar Cliff University next season. “We get on each other a lot and sometimes we go overboard, but we do it because we want to make each other better and win games.”

The growth of both brothers — both in terms of skill and size — has helped turn Bishop Garrigan into a state title contender. The Golden Bears ended a lengthy drought last year by qualifying for the 1A tournament, but are hoping for even more this season.

“It would be a dream come true to hoist up that state title trophy at the end of my senior year,” Cade said. “I think we have as good a chance as anyone to do it.

“It’s the best team I’ve played on since being in high school and the best I’ve been individually.”

Along with averaging 13.8 points per game, Cade Winkel has 68 rebounds, 28 assists, 12 steals and seven blocks. He is shooting 59 percent from the field and 80 percent at the free throw line.

Angelo Winkel, who is receiving interest from several colleges spread out among all levels, leads Bishop Garrigan at 19 points per night and 116 total rebounds. He has knocked down 95 of 163 field goals (58 percent), dished out 28 assists, blocked 18 shots and even made five 3-pointers.

“It means a lot to (reach 1,000 points),” Angelo said. “I’ve spent countless hours in the gym and to be recognized for the time I put in when I could have been with friends or just laying around at home, it really means a lot to me to have people celebrate and be happy for our success.”

The two have a special bond on the court, but that took plenty of time to form through battles with one another growing up.

“Playing Cade 1-on-1 when we were way younger helped me grow because he used to be much bigger than me so it toughened me up and made me learn post moves I still use today,” Angelo said. “But pretty much every game we had ended in a fist-fight because we were so competitive with each either.”

The two will try to share one more special moment before departing whenever the season ends, adding to a memory Cade Winkel still treasures to this day.

“I remember my fourth grade year we were playing in a tournament and our grade was not very good at this point because we didn’t really turn the corner until sixth grade,” he said. “But we were playing and Angelo forgot his shorts, so he had to play in these shiny blue sweatpants and without basketball shoes.”