Dodger girls earn basketball honors

LJ Maehl continues to pile up all-conference honors, adding another one to her resume for this past basketball season.
Maehl, a Fort Dodge junior, was one of three players who earned unanimous first team all-Iowa Alliance Conference status.
Joining Maehl were Dodger teammates Meah McCaleb, Brooklyn Pommer and Dakota Pommer.
On the year, Maehl averaged 18.5 points per game and eight rebounds, shooting 46 percent from the field and 71 percent at the free throw line. She also recorded 42 steals, 30 assists and 25 blocked shots, knocking down 27 three-pointers.
“I thought the voting for all-conference went pretty fair,” FDSH head coach Scott Messerly said. “LJ was an obvious pick and there really wasn’t even a vote for making her unanimous.
“She had a great year and in my opinion is the best player in our league.”
Heading into her senior year, Maehl ranks third on the school’s career scoring list with 981 points. She is 192 away from passing Molly Nelson for first all-time.
“Being named first team all-conference for the second straight year is an incredible honor,” Maehl said. “I’m deeply grateful to my coaches for their guidance, my teammates for their constant support and inspiration, and my family for their unwavering belief in my.
“Althought our team didn’t reach all of its goals this season — and I know I have more work to do on my individual game — we plan to work hard this offseason.”
McCaleb, a senior and three-year starter, posted 158 points with 132 rebounds while leading the team in steals (92) and assists (87).
“Meah had a really nice season and a good career,” Messerly said. “I’d have liked for her to get on the first-team, but in these situations a lot of times it comes down to points scored. She really did everything we asked of her.”
Brooklyn Pommer, also a senior, added 85 points with 104 rebounds, 44 steals and 32 assists while Dakota Pommer, a junior, finished with 119 points, 79 rebounds, 45 assists, 33 steals and 10 blocks.
“The Pommer sisters were great at what we asked them to do,” Messerly said. “Brooklyn was one of the top rebounders and defenders while Dakota is just a good player.”
Karsyn Pankonen of Ames and Machaela Trask from Mason City were the other unanimous first team all-league selections. The Little Cyclones and Riverhawks shared the division title at 7-1.
GIRLS ALL-IOWA ALLIANCE CONFERENCE NORTH DIVISION
First Team
*Karsyn Pankonen, Ames, sr.; *LJ Maehl, Fort Dodge, jr.; *Machaela Trask, Mason City, sr.; Victoria Williams, Ames, soph.; Frankie Long, Marshalltown, soph.; Anna Latham, Mason City, soph.; Graysyn Downing, Waterloo East, jr.
*Denotes unanimous selection
Second Team
Anisa Percival, Ames, sr.; Meah McCaleb, Fort Dodge, sr.; Gracyn Braun, Mason City, jr.; Zaria Falls, Mason City, sr.; Millie Heitmann, Marshalltown, jr.; Ja’Miah Ceaser, Waterloo East, sr.; Siyanna Cody, Waterloo East, jr.
Honorable Mention
Fort Dodge — Brooklyn Pommer, sr.; Dakota Pommer, jr.