×

Dodger boys begin substate journey

FDSH at Ankeny Centennial for postseason basketball tilt

Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Jordan Jackson of Fort Dodge shoots against Des Moines East in the Dodger gym during the regular season.

ANKENY — The Fort Dodge boys basketball team begins its second season on Monday at Ankeny Centennial in a Class 4A, Substate 8 quarterfinal.

The game, weather permitting, will begin at 7 p.m.

The Dodgers (8-13 overall) are the bracket’s No. 5 seed, while the Jaguars (8-12) are the four. The winner of this contest advances to face top-seeded and second-ranked Waukee (18-2) on Friday inside the Warrior gym.

Head coach Tom Daniel’s squad was scheduled to take on Centennial last week to conclude the regular season, but the matchup was canceled due to inclement weather.

The Jaguars have responded to a seven-game losing streak with four consecutive recent victories over Mason City, Urbandale, Des Moines East and Des Moines Lincoln. Fort Dodge, meanwhile, is 7-4 since dropping nine of its first 10 decisions this year.

Senior Jordan Jackson (15.2-point average) and junior Tysen Kershaw (11.2) lead the Dodgers, who have at least eight victories for the ninth time in the last 10 seasons under Daniel’s direction. Senior Jace Peterson is right behind at 9.4 points per night.

Jackson has pulled down an FDSH-best 113 rebounds, while Kershaw has 68 assists and 43 steals.

Unlike the Dodgers, Centennial is anchored by its size. Six-foot 7 junior Cody McCullough (12.1 points, 8.9 rebounds) is the Jags’ main threat, with 6-7 junior Micah Johnson (9.8 and 5.8) and 6-3 junior Preston Kelling (9.6 PPG) also contributing offensively.

Eleven of Centennial’s 12 losses are to teams who completed the regular season with a winning record, while 10 of the Dodgers’ 13 setbacks were to foes with plus-.500 marks. Statistically speaking, both the Jaguars and FDSH have played among the Top-10 most difficult schedules in 4A, according to the BCMoore power rankings.

Johnston, Des Moines Hoover and Des Moines East are on the other side of the Substate 8 bracket. The final is slated for Tuesday, Feb. 26, at a location to be determined.

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today