Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: Fort Dodge's Drake Callon scores against Ames on Thursday in the Dodger gym. For more photos, please visit CU.messengernews.net

Even without star Tamin Lipsey, the top-ranked (Class 4A) Ames boys showed just how strong they can be here Thursday night.

Jumping out to a 17-0 lead, the Little Cyclones raced to a 62-24 victory over Fort Dodge.

Trevion LaBeaux had 15 points, Corey Phillips added 13 and Ring Yak 10 for Ames, which has won 14 in a row. The only loss this year for the Little Cyclones came to out-of-state Christian Brothers College.

Lipsey, who has committed to Iowa State University, has now missed the last three games.

“They do everything the way it should be handled,” FDSH head coach Willie Williams said. “They’re patient and work their way through the offense to get an open look. We can learn a lot from the way they play on both end of the court.

“We didn’t take care of the ball the way that we should, and we’re not getting enough touches offensively. We’re in too much of a hurry. But I do think we’re playing better basketball overall, and I’m hoping we’ll see some positive results the rest of the way.”

Senior Bradley Vodraska had six points, five rebounds and two steals to lead the Dodgers, while classmate Carson Peterson had five points. Senior Alex Underwood chipped in four points, and junior Kyron Wilson recorded his first varsity field goal.

Little Cyclone freshman Jamison Poe had a bucket in his return to Fort Dodge. Poe was a student here during his elementary and middle school days before moving to Ames.

Poe is averaging 3.2 points as a reserve in the varsity rotation.

“It was nice coming back home and facing some of the guys I’ve played with in the past,” Poe said. “It’s really exciting to be on the (No. 1) team and playing with the upperclassmen.

“I’m learning a lot, and glad Coach (Vance) Downs trusts me to get the job done.”

The Dodgers have four regular season games remaining before opening substate play at Des Moines Hoover on Feb. 21. Fort Dodge heads to Mason City on Friday, Des Moines North on Monday and hosts West Des Moines Valley Tuesday and Des Moines Roosevelt next Friday.

AMES 62, FORT DODGE 24

Fort Dodge – Monterius Altman-Abrams 0 0-0 0, Carson Peterson 2 1-2 5, Drake Callon 0 0-0 0, Alex Underwood 2 0-0 4, Bradley Vodraska 2 2-2 6, Jon Astor 1 0-2 2, Nate Opande 1 0-0 2, Kyron Wilson 1 0-0 2, Bo Tracy 0 0-0 0, Davis Friedrichs 0 0-0 0, Ty Adams 1 0-0 3, Dalton Rosalez 0 0-0 0. Totals: 10 3-6 24.

Ames – Jack Wynter 2 1-1 6, Lucas Lueth 1 0-0 2, Trevion LaBeaux 7 1-3 15, Devin Settle 1 0-0 2, Corey Phillips 5 2-3 13, Jamison Poe 1 0-0 2, Ring Yak 5 0-0 10, Onur Onal 2 0-0 5, Braydon Beeiner 0 0-0 0, Noah Seibert 0 0-0 0, Tasean Brooks 0 1-2 1, Bennett Anderson 2 1-2 6. Totals: 27 6-11 62.

Quarter scores: Ames led 17-0, 33-9, 46-15. Three-point goals: Fort Dodge 1 (Adams 1), Ames 4 (Wynter 1, Phillips 1, Onal 1, Anderson 1). Turnovers: Fort Dodge 14, Ames 6.