The Fort Dodge basketball teams hit the court for the first time in doubleheader action here Monday night vs. Des Moines East.

Tip is set for 6:15 p.m. with the girls game inside the Dodger gym.

A pair of road trips complete the week, as Fort Dodge heads to Boone on Tuesday and plays at Spencer on Friday in two more doubleheaders.

For Willie Williams and the Dodger boys, this will be the first time out on the court following a second straight five-win season a year ago. Fort Dodge returns several players with starting experience, but must replace leaders Cade Westerhoff and Carter Woodruff.

Sophomore Reggie Pederson is the most experienced, starting 15 games and playing in 20 last year. Pederson recorded 143 points with 62 rebounds, 16 assists and 15 steals. Senior Kauner Jensen started 14 and played in 20, recording 48 points, 55 rebounds and seven blocked shots.

Tayven Altman, Tytrell Mosley, Hayden Zuspann, Taevon Feeley and Brody Maehl all started games a year ago.

Des Moines East went 4-17 in 2024-25 and is expected to return D’Angelo Parker, Donovan Rockers, Malik Williams, Daniel Tut and several others who saw extensive time. Parker and Williams both scored over 100 points, as Williams ranked second on the team in rebounds.

Fort Dodge won both meetings vs. the Scarlets a year ago and leads the series since 2008, 13-4.

Boone (0-0) plays Ogden on Monday night, as the Toradors went 8-15 a year ago. Jude Baumgardner returns, as he averaged 8.6 points and nearly seven rebounds per game.

Spencer (0-0) finished 11-11 a season ago, as the Tigers have games scheduled with Sioux City East and Western Christian befor emeeting the Dodgers. They graduated all five starters from a season ago.

The Dodger girls (0-1) opened last week, falling to ninth-ranked (Class 4A) Waverly-Shell Rock, 72-12. LJ Maehl scored nine points with five rebounds, as Maley Hollins had three steals, two assists and a pair of rebounds.

East (0-1) fell to Des Moines North in its opener, 39-34, as Serenity Thompson had 14 points and five steals. Jaleeyah Hardy added nine rebounds for the Scarlets.

Fort Dodge has scored wins in each of the last nine encounters with East, who won eight in a row prior to that.

Two road trips follow for the Dodgers, as they head to Boone (0-2) on Tuesday and are in Spencer (1-0) on Friday night.

The Toreadors have won five games each of the past three seasons and are led by freshman Whitney Chestnut and junior Macy Chesnut. The Tigers won five games last year after going just 1-21 in 2023-24.