Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: Maddie Hoshaw of Fort Dodge puts up a shot against Des Moines East on Friday.

A busy slate awaits the Fort Dodge basketball squads this week, as the Dodgers host rival Mason City in a make-up twinbill on Monday followed by road trips to Ames and Sioux City West.

Fresh off a sweep of Des Moines East, the Dodger boys (1-5 overall) and girls (4-3) meet the Riverhawks and Little Cyclones in Iowa Alliance Conference doubleheaders beginning at 6:15 p.m. the next two nights. FDSH then heads to West for 5:30 and 7 p.m. contests in Sioux City on Friday.

Head coach Willie Williams’ Dodgers pulled away from Des Moines East with a big fourth quarter for their first win of the season last Friday night at home. Senior Cade Westerhoff had 20 points, with freshman Reggie Pederson (15) and junior Taevon Feeley (10) also reaching double figures.

The Mason City boys are 3-3 after defeating Humboldt on Saturday, 86-75. The Riverhawks outscored the Wildcats 28-7 in the fourth period to prevail.

Marcele Whitner had 24 points in the win, with Ty Sanchez-Evans (18) and Jameer Falls (16) fueling the offense as well. Whitner hit five three-point baskets.

Senior Andrew Novak, a 6-foot-5 post player, is averaging 11 points and 9.7 rebounds. Whitner (12.0) and Sanchez-Evans (11.5), both juniors, help the balanced attack for Mason City.

The Ames boys are 7-1 and sport one of the best defenses in the state. Senior Jamison Poe — a former Fort Dodge Dodger — is leading the way at 10.9 points per contest, followed closely by Will Thomas (10.0), Manny Lueth (8.7) and Marach Dau (8.0).

The Wolverine boys are 0-5. Senior Tre Craft (16.0 points), junior Kamren Hegna (13.8) and junior Gio Vasquez (11.0) are double-digit scorers for West to date.

The Dodger girls obliterated East last Friday, 91-12. Despite playing limited minutes, junior LJ Maehl had 29 points, with senior Meah McCaleb adding eight points, seven steals and five assists despite far less court time than normal as well due to the lopsided score.

The Riverhawk girls, who were 20-3 last season and are the defending IAC Northern Division champs, are off to a 4-4 start. They lost at Humboldt on Saturday, 58-47.

Seniors Machaela Trask (13.2 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists) and Zaria Falls (10.3 points, 3.7 steals) are the top Mason City players to date.

The Ames girls (4-4) have won four consecutive games. Senior Karsyn Pankonen (15.8 points) and sophomore Victoria Williams (8.9) have anchored their offense.

The West girls are 5-3. Three Wolverine seniors — Vera Grom (15.0 points), Hannah Burge (13.4) and Kimber Buhman (10.9) — are their key threats so far.