A year ago, the Ankeny boys’ basketball team won only two conference games on the road.
The Hawks have already matched that total just three games into the 2023-24 season.
Ankeny improved its record to 2-1 in the CIML Conference with a 76-59 victory at Southeast Polk on Tuesday. The Hawks also won at Johnston, 51-45, on Friday.
“It’s not easy to win on the road, so it’s nice to get it for sure,” said Ankeny coach Brandt Carlson. “I didn’t know about (Southeast Polk). They played Waukee really hard early (on Friday), and they’re really physical so that gave us some matchup problems, and that was kind of a concern. They kind of exploited it a little bit, but we had a big enough lead that we were able to keep it right at about 10 (points).”
The Hawks jumped out to a 20-8 advantage at the end of the first quarter. They took their biggest lead, 39-19, on a basket by Lio Aguirre late in the first half.
Southeast Polk pulled to within nine points on three occasions in the second half, but could not get any closer. The Rams dropped to 0-2 in the league and 1-2 overall.
“Our morale is high,” said Ankeny sophomore Rio Aguirre, who was one of four Hawks in double figures with a career-high 18 points. “We’re ready to take on anybody.”
Carson Johnson led Ankeny with 20 points. Lio Aguirre had 14 points, seven assists and two steals.
Cade Pederson chipped in a career-high 12 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks. Cash Schoolen added nine points.
“That’s a real possibility for us on a given night (to have four in double figures),” said Carlson, whose team shot 51.9 percent from the field (27-of-52). “That really gives us an advantage, along as defensively we can rebound and dominate the glass. Luke (Anderson) had five or six offensive rebounds tonight, and we just have a lot of really tough kids that love playing with each other.”
Jaxen Barton and Bode Goodman each had 16 points to lead Southeast Polk. AJ Schafer added 14.
Rio Aguirre had a trio of 3-pointers for Ankeny, including back-to-back treys during a 10-0 run in the second quarter that doubled the Hawks’ lead.
“I’ve definitely found my role,” Aguirre said. “The older seniors are helping me through a lot, and they’re showing me the way since this is my first year on varsity. I give (the credit) to them.”
One of those seniors is Rio’s brother, Lio.
“We’ve been playing with each other since we were young,” Rio said. “I’ve always loved playing with him, and we have this different chemistry on the court. I feel it helps the team. It’s fun.
“He’s been able to show me the way. He keeps me in the gym working so I’m ready for these moments,” he added.
Rio Aguirre later helped seal the victory when he drove for a basket to extend the lead to 70-57 late in the fourth quarter.
“The big thing for him is just continue to be humble and realize that he is a sophomore,” Carlson said. “Know your spot, but do your thing. He’s growing, and it’s fun to watch. He made some big plays. I think Carson and Lio were a little fatigued, and he got us rolling.”
Ankeny will host a non-conference game on Friday against Ames (2-1). The Little Cyclones are coming off a 64-21 win at Des Moines East on Tuesday.
