An unlikely hero emerged for the Des Moines Hoover boys’ basketball team on Tuesday.
Senior Justin Imani, a 5-foot 7 guard, scored the winning basket at the buzzer to give the host Huskies a 53-51 overtime victory against sixth-ranked Ankeny in a non-conference game.
The Hawks (14-4) lost to an unranked opponent for the first time. Their other losses came to No. 1 Ames (twice) and to No. 7 Waukee Northwest.
“We had the ball with under 20 seconds left and spread things out and had an opportunity to drive and maybe drove it just a little early,” said Ankeny coach Brandt Carlson, whose team had won 10 of its previous 11 games. “We missed the shot, and it got tipped out and they threw it ahead to (Imani) who just flew in for a layup at the buzzer. It was the craziest deal.”
Only four players scored for Hoover (12-6), which has followed a three-game losing skid with a five-game winning streak. Imani entered Tuesday’s game averaging just 5.6 points.
Chase Henderson and Elijah Vos each had 18 points to lead the Huskies, who held a 31-16 lead at halftime.
“We just came out really flat,” Carlson said. “I thought we guarded them hard, but they got loose a little bit early and we got behind.”
Ankeny closed to within 42-34 after three quarters. The Hawks then outscored Hoover in the final period, 12-4, to force overtime.
“We showed a lot of grit and toughness,” Carlson said. “Our guys really responded, and we made a great comeback.”
Ankeny held a 51-48 lead in overtime and had possession, but the Hawks were fouled and missed the front end of a bonus opportunity at the free-throw line.
Hoover then got the ball to Henderson, a junior who averages 24.3 points. He drilled a 3-pointer to tie the game, setting the stage for the dramatic finish.
“They played well,” Carlson said of the Huskies. “We kind of lost (Henderson), and he hit a big shot.”
Lio Aguirre led Ankeny with 14 points. JJ Kohl had 13 points and seven rebounds, and Ryan Crandall added eight points.
Carson Johnson dished out four assists and had three steals.
“We just didn’t have a lot of rhythm offensively,” Carlson said. “Hopefully, it was a good lesson for us. I think our guys will respond well.”
Ankeny will host a CIML Iowa Conference game against No. 10 Ankeny Centennial (10-7) on Friday. The Hawks won the first meeting, 58-48, on Jan. 11 at Centennial.
