The Fort Dodge basketball teams headed into the Christmas Break on high notes, but will now open the new year up against a tall task, facing two talented Ames ballclubs.

The Dodger girls (2-3 overall, 1-2 CIML Iowa Conference) tip off against Ames (3-2, 2-1) at 6:15 p.m. The Fort Dodge boys (1-3, 0-3) will meet second-ranked Ames (4-1, 1-0) at 7:45 p.m.

The Dodger boys picked up their first win of the season against Carlisle last month.

“Coming off a win was a great way to go into break,” said Fort Dodge head coach Tom Daniel. “Hopefully we can build some momentum heading into the second half.

“It has been a challenge because of COVID to try and find consistency with the same group. We have some guys coming back, but then we have some guys not available. It’s hard to build on that, but we have to deal with it and move forward.”

Senior Averey Martin is the Dodgers’ leading scorer, averaging 12.3 points per game. Junior Carson Peterson is also in double digits at 10.3 per night.

Juniors Bradley Vodraska (7.0 ppg) and Drake Callon (7.0), along with classmate Alex Underwood (1.0), round out the probable starters for the Dodgers.

The second-ranked Little Cyclones suffered their only loss of the season heading into break. They fell to Ankeny Centennial (55-53).

Junior Division I recruit Tamin Lipsey is averaging 18.4 points per game to go along with 5.6 assists per contests. Senior Keyshaun Brooks (16.0) is also in double digits, and junior Corey Phillips is averaging 9.4.

“Ames’ three guards are probably the three best we will see,” Daniel said. “Lipsey makes everyone around him better. You can’t sleep on (Casey) Mumm either, and Brooks can shoot. They play good and their posts do enough to respect them.”

The Dodger girls have won two of their last three games and will face a stiff challenge against the Little Cyclones, who are led by Bradley recruit Caroline Waite and Drake signee Ashley Liams. Waite is averaging 25.4 points per game, while Liams is scoring at a 20.4 clip.

In Ames’ five contests, both Waite and Liams have combined for seven 20-plus point ballgames. Waite has a season high 38 points against Mason City.

“We seen Ames a lot in fall league, but Waite and Liams were in softball, so we didn’t see them as much,” said Fort Dodge head coach Scott Messerly. “They both have been scoring a lot of points and have taken 75 percent of their shots.”

The Dodgers are led in scoring by senior Tristin Doster, who is averaging 9.2 points per game. Juniors Tory Bennett (8.0 ppg.) and Aleaha Pommer (7.8) are key contributors as well. Senior Cheyenne Miller-Hameed (6.2) and junior Jalen Adams (3.5) round out the starting rotation.

“We had a good two weeks of practice,” Messerly said. “We got a lot accomplished. It helps when you go into break with a win. The girls feel good about the way they are playing and are starting to figure out their roles.”