The Webster City Lynx basketball teams made the trip north to Kossuth County on Friday night, to take on the Algona Bulldogs in North Central Conference action. The Webster City girls entered with a record of 3-11 overall and 1-7 in conference play, while the Webster City boys entered with a record of 9-1 and 5-1 in conference play.
A slow start would doom the Lynx girls from the get out, as Algona opened up a 25-5 lead after the first quarter, which then ballooned to 46-10 by halftime. The Bulldogs would take the gas off the pedal in the 2nd half, as they were able to come away with a 63-24 victory. Alley Odland led the Lynx with 7 points, while Casey Van Otterloo had a game-high 19 points for Algona.
The boys game followed and the Lynx would soon find they would enter a 4-quarter battle with a battle-tested Algona team. Webster City would jump out to a 16-13 lead at the end of the first quarter, but Algona would rally back in the 2nd to tie the game at 30 going into halftime. The Lynx would inch ahead by a 49-47 margin going into the 4th quarter, as Webster City led by as much as 8 points, but a late rally by the Bulldogs, and two clutch free throws by Simon Feucht sent the game to overtime at 63-63. In overtime, the teams traded blows, as the Lynx had the final possession, where Jayce Neuroth missed a baseline fadeway jumper, but an offensive rebound and putback by Briar Klaver as time expired gave Webster City a 74-72 overtime win. Jamie Grossoehme led the Lynx with 27 points, while Briar Klaver finished with 19 points, Ben Helmers led Algona with 25 points.
Webster City’s boys would quickly turn around and ready up for the Gilbert Showcase on Saturday, where they took on the host Tigers out of the Raccoon River Conference. Fatigue appeared to be getting the better of the Lynx for 3 quarters, never leading at the quarter break in any of the first 3 frames, and trailing 49-41 going into the 4th. However, Brett Ratcliff’s crew began imposing their will on the Tigers in the 4th, and fought back to tie the game at 57-57. Webster City would get to the foul line early and often in overtime, as they cinched up a 65-59 overtime victory. Jamie Grossoehme again led the Lynx with 17 points, while William Terrones led Gilbert with 13 points.
Webster City basketball returns to action on Tuesday, when they host St. Edmond in North Central Conference action.