PHOTO BY BRITT KUDLA/FORT DODGE MESSENGER - Marshalltown sophomore Armonniey Thomas (10) draws the foul against Fort Dodge’s Brycen Bell (12) during Friday’s CIML Iowa Conference contest in Fort Dodge. Thomas scored a career-high 34 points as the Bobcats beat the host Dodgers 61-40.

FORT DODGE — Marshalltown leading scorer Armonniey Thomas sat on the bench to start Friday’s CIML Iowa Conference boys’ basketball game at Fort Dodge as punishment for showing up late for the team’s shootaround.

By the end of the night, Thomas was doling out the punishment.

The Bobcat sophomore scored a career-high 34 points in a little more than three quarters of play as Marshalltown notched its first win at Fort Dodge since 2008 with a 61-40 triumph.

Thomas shot 11-for-20 from the field, including 5-of-9 from 3-point range, and was 7-of-7 at the free-throw line during his career night.

“It is what it is, it’s a team rule that you can’t be late for things,” MHS head coach Michael Appel said. “But he responded right. He was a good teammate, he came in ready to play, and I’m proud of how he responded. I hope he learned from it.”

Marshalltown (4-9, 2-4) shot 0-for-11 from the floor in the first quarter and trailed the Dodgers 5-2 at the first break. It was all Thomas and the Bobcats from there.

Thomas made three 3-pointers and scored 13 points in all in the second period, added 19 points after halftime and Marshalltown drove the Fort Dodge (1-12, 0-6) to 12 games by completing the conference sweep. MHS downed the Dodgers 54-34 on Dec. 20, 2019, at the Roundhouse.

“We started off slow again, which is a little concerning but understandable given the circumstances,” Appel said. “Drake hit an open 3 in the second quarter and that got things rolling a bit.

“I’m proud of the kids’ effort, they played really hard I thought, and we’re seeing some good things on the floor. We’re starting to put it all together, making progress, and it feels good getting that win after five straight losses.”

Marshalltown’s post-game enjoyment of the moment centered around the Bobcats’ first road win of the season — they’re 1-4 away from the Roundhouse — and the program’s first win at Fort Dodge High since Jan. 31, 2008.

“That was the motivation before we played tonight, the kids ran with that and did a great job,” Appel said. “They’re pretty pumped up after the game. Hopefully we can use this momentum and continue on to Ottumwa.”

Justin Melde, in a rare start, finished with eight points, and Drake Kapayou added seven points as well. Both players made two of the Bobcats’ nine 3-pointers. Melde and Aidan DeVolder both pulled down four rebounds and Trevor Stamp led the way with five boards. Thomas tallied three steals and Marshalltown committed just four turnovers for the game.

MHS meets Ottumwa (5-7) on Tuesday night at Evans Middle School.

Marshalltown 61, Fort Dodge 40

At Fort Dodge

MHS (4-9, 2-4) — Austin Shomo 0 0-0 0, Drake Kapayou 2 1-2 7, Justin Melde 3 0-1 8, Will Van Buren 1 1-2 3, Aidan DeVolder 1 1-2 3, Armonniey Thomas 11 7-7 34, Drake Polley 0 0-0 0, Grant Greazel 0 0-0 0, Sean Nyuon 0 0-0 0, Dwight Joar 1 0-0 2, Trevor Stamp 1 0-0 2, Isaiah Borgos 1 0-0 2. TOTALS 21 10-14 61.

FORT DODGE (1-12, 0-6) — Tysen Kershaw 3 7-8 13, Dayson Clayton 1 4-5 6, Monterius Altman-Abrams 1 2-2 5, Asle Thorson 2 0-0 4, Averey Martin 0 1-2 1, Nolan Daniel 1 1-2 4, Jaheim Clayton 1 1-1 3, Brycen Bell 0 2-2 2, Drake Callon 0 2-4 2, Sam Daniel 0 0-0 0, Carson Peterson 0 0-1 0, James Daniel 0 0-0 0, DáArien Calahan 0 0-0 0. TOTALS 9 20-27 40.

MHS 2 22 18 19 — 61

FORT DODGE 5 13 11 11 — 40

3-Point Goals–MHS 9 (Thomas 5, Kapayou 2, Melde 2), FD 2 (Altman-Abrams, Daniel). Total Fouls–MHS 19, FD 15. Technical Foul–J. Clayton. Fouled Out–Kershaw.