By Andrew Shaw
The Lake Mills Bulldogs opened a busy week with a win over North Iowa last Tuesday night, Jan. 6, with the boys’ basketball team hosting in Lake Mills. The Bulldogs shot ahead in the second quarter of an otherwise close game, where they scored 25 points to build a 38-23 halftime lead. That lead would hold until the final buzzer, with the Bulldogs winning, 71-57.
“Our guys started 2026 well and played a great second quarter to establish control of the game,” said Coach Kyle Menke. “We played good overall defense on North Iowa’s best player and were able to limit him to just six points.”
Asher Stensrud shot a career-high 25 points to lead Lake Mills, while three more Bulldogs hit double digits: Nash Delger with 14 points, Lane Helgeland with 13, and Luke Helgeland with 11.
“Our coaching staff was extremely happy for Asher. He puts in the work, and it was fun to see him scoring the ball so well on the interior,” said Coach Menke.
Other stats for the Bulldogs included Leif Rogne with 11 rebounds and four steals, and Luke Helgeland with eight assists and eight rebounds. The Bulldogs totaled 19 assists and 10 steals for the night.
LM 13 25 14 19 71
NI 15 8 13 21 57
The Bulldogs had their toughest night of the season so far on Thursday, Jan. 8, in a make up game at Bishop Garrigan. The Golden Bears outshot the Bulldogs 2-1 from the first quarter and didn’t let up, resulting in a 76-35 loss for Lake Mills.
“We were outplayed in all aspects of the game,” said Coach Menke. “Garrigan has a state title-contending team, and they made things very difficult for us.”
Both teams took about the same number of shots on Thursday, but Bishop Garrigan hit 29/55 of their field goals (52.7%), while Lake Mills made just 12/54 (22.2%). The Golden Bears also led the Bulldogs in rebounds 49 to 14.
Delger led Lake Mills in scoring with 12 points, followed by Luke Helgeland with seven and Lane Helgeland with five. Luke Helgeland made four rebounds, and Zach Stene had three. Delger led in assists with four.
“We will continue working to be better prepared for our next matchup with Garrigan on January 20,” said Coach Menke.
BG 20 21 17 18 76
LM 10 11 10 4 35
The Bulldogs bounced back the next night when they went back on the road to play at Forest City. Lake Mills built a 14-point lead in the first half, as the boys had a much better shooting night, going 51.2% from the field. The Indians gained some ground in the fourth quarter, but the Bulldogs held them off for 63-56 win.
“It was a great win and one of the most memorable regular-season wins of my coaching career. We are incredibly proud of the way our guys competed and controlled the game with their focus, unselfishness, and defensive intensity,” said Coach Menke.
Delger put 19 points on the board to lead Lake Mills, followed by Stensrud with 17 and Luke Helgeland with 14. Delger also led in rebounds with nine, while Stene and Luke Helgeland each made four. Lane Helgeland led in assists with five and in steals with two.
“Nash had an outstanding overall game, and Asher controlled the interior,” said Coach Menke. “Luke and Lane each continued to play well. They are some of the hardest-working players I’ve ever coached.”
The Bulldogs hit 6/13 of their 3-pointers, including two apiece from the Helgeland boys. Stensrud shot 6/10 from the field and 5/8 from the foul line.
Menke says the coaching staff loves this group. “They continue to work each week, and they want to be coached. We have made good progress through the first 10 games, but our upcoming schedule will provide many challenges that we need to be ready for,” said the coach.
LM 17 19 13 14 63
FC 15 7 12 22 56
