—Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Fort Dodge’s Tory Bennett shoots around Des Moines Hoover’s Olivia Jones on Tuesday. For more photos, visit CU at messengernews.net

Despite being just a sophomore, Tory Bennett is very familiar with the nightly battles that come with competing in the CIML Iowa Conference.

Bennett, who helped lead the Fort Dodge girls to seven wins this winter, was honored with second team all-league honors.

Five of the seven first team selections were unanimous choices in West Des Moines Valley’s Alex Honnold and Grace Plummer, Anna Deets of Mason City, Katie Dinnebier from Waukee and Grace Larkins of Southeast Polk.

Lindsey and Peyton Kelderman of Waukee rounded out the elite team.

Bennett averaged just over 11 points per game to lead the Dodgers. She was also the team-leader in made field goals (76), made 3-pointers (22), made and attempted free throws (47-for-72), assists (57) and steals (53).

“It’s always an honor to be recognized when you are apart of the CIML,” said Bennett, who has also earned all-league status in volleyball and softball. “Being one of the Top-14 players in our conference is really an honor considering so many of the others are headed to Div. I programs.”

The 5-foot-4 guard finished second in rebounds with 149, including 47 on the offensive end.

Among the individual highlights of the season was a single-game school-record 37-point scoring outburst against Des Moines Hoover in December.

Bennett knocked down 14 of 17 shots from the field, went a perfect 5-for-5 from the 3-point line and sank all four of her free throws in an 87-56 win for FDSH.

She also grabbed 15 rebounds, dished out four assists and recorded three steals in the game.

“Winning more games this year was huge,” Bennett said. “I feel like our team really came together and with most of us returning next year, that bond can only get stronger.

“Next year will be something special because our grade has played with the upcoming seniors since we were eight years old. I really want to help make their last season as a Dodger as memorable as it can be.”

Classmate Aleaha Pommer earned honorable mention all-conference status. Pommer averaged 8.8 points per game, making 19 triples and adding 137 rebounds, 40 steals, 26 assists and a team-high 14 blocks.

Waukee went a perfect 10-0 in the league to claim the title with Southeast Polk second followed by Valley, Mason City, Fort Dodge and Marshalltown.

The Warriors reached the state title game before falling to CIML rival Johnston. The Rams also advanced to the elite eight.

Teams were selected by the conference coaches.

GIRLS ALL-CIML IOWA CONFERENCE

First Team

*Anna Deets, Mason City, sr.; *Katie Dinnebier, Waukee, jr.; *Alex Honnold, West Des Moines Valley, sr.; *Grace Larkins, Southeast Polk, jr.; *Grace Plummer, West Des Moines Valley, sr.; Lindsey Kelderman, Waukee, jr.; Peyton Kelderman, Waukee, jr.

*Denotes unanimous selection

Second Team

Tory Bennett, Fort Dodge, soph.; Brooklin Dailey, Southeast Polk, fr.; Rylie Kruse, Southeast Polk, jr.; Taryn Reitsma, Waukee, jr.; Meredith Rieker, West Des Moines Valley, soph.; Jessica Stuart, Southeast Polk, sr.; Jada Williams, Mason City, soph.

Honorable Mention

Fort Dodge — Aleaha Pommer, soph.