-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla LJ Meahl of Fort Dodge shoots around Des Moines East on Monday

LJ Maehl knocked one career milestone off her list here Monday night, as the Fort Dodge senior reached the 1,000-point mark.

Maehl hit the number early in the first quarter, finishing with a game-high 34 points as the Dodgers cruised past Des Moines East, 75-4.

The Northwest Missouri State basketball commit had 18 in the opening eight minutes of play alone, as she was honored following her make to give her 1,000 with just over four minutes to play.

“It feels so good to have finally reached this achievement,” Maehl said. “But it feels even more special to have hit 1,000 points in front of my closest family, friends, coaches, teachers and other Dodgers. I am so thankful to have accomplished this here at home, where it all started. Special thanks to my teammates, without them, this would be nearly impossible, and my coaches for their guidance.”

After a loss in the season opener to ninth-ranked (Class 4A) Waverly-Shell Rock, Fort Dodge (1-1 overall) had no problem winning for the 10th time against the Scarlets (0-2), who did not record a point until there was six minutes to play before the half.

“I thought we did a nice job of pushing the basketball,” FDSH head coach Scott Messerly said. “We played good defense, staying in front of the player and trying to contest shots. It’s obviously a difficult situation in a game like this, but our girls stayed within themselves and did what we asked of them.”

Malay Hollins scored 10 points with three steals, Maehl had four steals and Brooklyn Gilliland finished with six points and four steals.

Off the bench, Bella Lee contributed nine points and five steals, as Linnie Pratt scored four with three steals. Fort Dodge recorded 25 steals on the night and forced Des Moines East into 38 turnovers.

“We watched some film on them against Des Moines North and they have a couple good shooters,” Messerly said. “We focused on taking them away and making someone else try and knock down shots.

“I thought our offense did a better job getting out at times and we limited our turnovers.”

Maehl passed Morgan Paulson for second on the school’s career scoring list, as she now has 1,024 points. Molly Nelson, a former FDSH all-stater and Drake University standout, is first with 1,172.

The Dodgers led 34-0 after the first quarter and scored the first 41 points before the Scarlets made a shot. Ma’lyah Rankins and Jaleeyah Hardy each recorded field goals.

Grace Nichols had six rebounds to go along with her four points for Fort Dodge, as Charlotte Breeser grabbed four boards off the bench.

The week is just getting start for the Dodgers, as they head to Boone on Tuesday and are at Spencer on Friday night.

FORT DODGE 75, DES MOINES EAST 4

Fort Dodge — Brooklyn Gilliland 3 0-0 6, Malay Hollins 4 2-2 10, LJ Maehl 15 2-2 34, Ellie Doster 1 1-2 4, Grace Nichols 1 2-2 4, Bella Lee 4 0-0 9, Linnie Pratt 2 0-2 4, Emma Lloyd 0 0-0 0, Charlotte Breeser 2 0-0 4, Adele Seltz 0 0-0 0. Totals: 32 7-10 75.

Des Moines East — Da’Myra Lewis 0 0-0 0 Brooklyn Smith 0 0-4 0, Lauren Ziaty 0 0-0 0, Nyabuk Tuoch 0 0-0 0, Serenity Thompson 0 0-0 0, Jaleeyah Hardy 1 0-0 2, Ma’lyah Rankins 1 0-0 2, Abby Castle 0 0-0 0. Totals: 2 0-4 4.

Quarter scores: Fort Dodge led 34-0, 49-4, 65-4. Three-point goals: Fort Dodge 4 (Maehl 2, Doster, Lee), Des Moines East 0. Total rebounds: Fort Dodge 29, Des Moines East 25. Steals: Fort Dodge 25, Des Moines East 5. Turnovers: Fort Dodge 10, Des Moines East 38. Team fouls: Fort Dodge 7, Des Moines East 9.