But let’s also be clear about this: The Lynx best game of the season wasn’t going to be good enough.

Jackson Molstead made sure of that.

Charles City’s 5-foot-11 dynamo senior all-state point guard put on a show, particularly in the first half, and led the Comets to a runaway 70-45 victory over WCHS. Molstead scored 16 first-quarter points and had 28 by the half behind an array of bombs from well behind the 3-point arc and slicing drives to the bucket.

And there was absolutely nothing WCHS could do to slow him down.

Charles City’s Jackson Molstead buries a 3-pointer over Webster City’s Tyler Olson last night. DFJ photo/Troy Banning

“I came in knowing this could be my last game, so I had the mindset of doing whatever I could to help us win,” Molstead said after pouring in a game-high 36 points on 13 of 25 shooting, including 5 of 12 from beyond the arc. “The ball felt good in my hands and shooters shoot. If you feel good you keep shooting.”

It was the most points allowed by WCHS this season. The Lynx (15-8) entered the contest giving up less than 50 an outing, but Charles City’s one-man wrecking crew also had plenty of help. The Comets buried three triples in the opening 1:30 — Molstead connected from both wings and Bradley Andrews hit nothing but net from the corner — to build a 9-0 lead and WCHS was left to play catch-up. It never did.

“Molstead is a great player and he did his thing,” WCHS head coach Marty McKinney said. “He knocked down some shots early that took us out of our game plan, and when you get down nine just like that and you’re trying to contain one of the best players in the state, it’s a heavy burden on you.”

The panic set in almost immediately and it showed. WCHS began to play at the Comets’ fast pace rather than stick to its methodical game plan. Charles City’s 1-3-1 trapping zone played a part in the Lynx woes as well, as they committed 10 first-half turnovers that led to numerous run-outs by Molstead.

“When we hit those shots at the beginning of the game, it really energized everybody,” Molstead said. “And that’s one of the better defensive performances we’ve had all year. That’s what we’ve been working on.”

WCHS senior Henry Hoversten (40) takes a fadeaway jumper over Charles City’s Tait Arndt (44) during the third quarter last night. Hoversten scored 20 points and pulled down 13 rebounds in his final prep game. DFJ photo/Troy Banning

Trailing by 20 at the half, WCHS scored five quick points to peak its fans’ interests, but an Andrews 3 and another drive and basket by Molstead started another run for Charles City (14-7). The Comets expanded their cushion to 27 points, 60-33, after three quarters.

JJ Ritter scored 12 points for the Comets and Andrews finished with 10, highlighted by a two-handed dunk early in the second period.

The Lynx two senior leaders did all they could to keep WCHS competitive. Henry Hoversten controlled the paint and finished with a double-double — 20 points and 13 rebounds. Dylan Steen canned two 3s on his way to 12 points.

Tavis Eklund scored all six of his points from behind the arc in the loss.

Despite the bitter way the season ended, McKinney was quick to point out that his group exceeded expectations over the last three months. The Lynx finished second in the North Central Conference behind top-ranked Clear Lake.

Dylan Steen takes a 3-pointer from the top of the key against Charles City last night. DFJ photo/Troy Banning

“It’s not the finish we wanted, but after a week or so when this wears off and we get a chance to look back, we’ll realize it was a pretty special season,” McKinney said. “There weren’t too many guys that were willing to place bets we’d win 15 games after (a 67-56 season-opening loss to Pocahontas Area), but every night we just got a little better. To finish second (in the NCC) and win 15 games are accomplishments these guys can be proud of the rest of their lives.”

Charles City advanced to Monday’s substate final in Mason City against Clear Lake, which knocked off Algona, 53-49, in the substate’s other semifinal last night.

Charles City 70, Webster City 45

Class 3A Substate 2 Semifinal

Thursday at Webster City

DFJ photo/Troy Banning

Charles City (14-7) — Jackson Molstead 13 5-5 36, De’Ontaye Hoefer 0 1-2 1, JJ Ritter 5 0-0 12, Dawson Hinders 1 0-0 3, Colton Slinger 1 0-0 2, Bradley Andrews 4 0-0 10, Justin Heyer 0 0-0 0, Kaden Barry 0 0-0 0, Cael Ruzicka 0 0-0 0, Tait Arndt 3 0-0 7. Totals: 27 6-7 70.

Webster City (15-8) — Dylan Steen 4 2-3 12, Drake Doering 1 0-0 3, Tavis Eklund 2 0-0 6, Tyler Olson 1 0-0 2, Carter Neuroth 0 0-0 0, Elijah Killian 0 0-0 0, Lincoln LaSourd 0 0-0 0, Kaiyu Levongkhom 0 0-0 0, Jack Van Diest 1 0-0 2, Henry Hoversten 9 2-4 20, Trey Lyons 0 0-0 0. Totals: 18 4-7 45.

Charles City 25 16 19 10 — 70

Webster City 11 10 12 12 — 45

3-point field goals — CC 10 (Molstead 5, Ritter 2, Andrews 2, Hinders); WC 5 (Steen 2, Eklund 2, Doering). Rebounds — WC 28 (Hoversten 13, Olson 5). Steals — WC 4 (Steen 2). Assists — WC 7. Turnovers — WC 14. Team fouls — CC 13, WC 8. Fouled out — none.