BOONE — The Fort Dodge boys basketball squad couldn’t keep pace with Boone in their season opener on Monday night.

The Dodgers, who have a busy three-game week right out of the chute, lost 62-39 to the Toreadors.

“We just didn’t have the energy we needed,” said FDSH head coach Willie Williams. “We committed way too many mistakes — mostly self-inflicted. We had 17 turnovers.”

Fort Dodge trailed by as many as 26 points in the second and third quarters. Junior Cade Westerhoff led the Dodgers with 16 points, with classmate Drake Warland adding 14. Junior Carter Woodruff contributed four points, with sophomore Tytrell Mosley (3) and senior Ty Adams (2) rounding out the scoring.

Fort Dodge hosts Clear Lake on Tuesday and Ames on Friday. The Lions were a Class 3A state finalist a year ago, and return four starters this season. The Little Cyclones reached the 4A quarterfinals in 2022-23.

“We were telling them after the game we need to just move on and forward without letting this one beat us twice,” Williams said. “We have to forget about it.

“We have 22 games. It’s a long season. I know it’s hard to lose, but you can’t get down on yourself.”