HUXLEY — The Fort Dodge girls start postseason play here Wednesday night at Ballard in a Class 4A, Region 2 opener.

Tip is set for 7 p.m.

The Dodgers (7-14 overall) and Bombers (8-13) are meeting for the first time. The winner advances to play Pella (12-9) on Saturday in a regional semifinal, with No. 2 Dallas Center-Grimes, Webster City and Boone on the other side of the bracket.

Led by FDSH all-time 5-on-5 leading scorer LJ Maehl, the Dodgers will look to find the same rhythm that carried them to a 4-2 mark late last month. Maehl, a Northwest Missouri State commit, is averaging a double-double at 16 points and 10 rebounds per game.

Freshman Brooklyn Gilliland adds almost eight points a night, while sophomore Malay Hollins contributes nearly five. Grace Nichols, another 10th-grader, is averaging five rebounds. Junior Ellie Doster leads the squad in assists.

Ballard closed the regular season strong, winning three in a row and six of 10. Junior Kaylor Johnson leads the Bombers at 8.3 points and 7.6 rebounds, followed by sophomore Maci Harder (7.7 points) and junior Grace Grundmeyer (5.4).

Ballard has played one of the toughest schedules on paper in 4A this season.