The Ankeny boys’ basketball team didn’t have much time to prepare for Monday’s non-conference game at Indianola.
With seniors Carson Johnson and Lio Aguirre leading the way, it really didn’t matter.
Johnson poured in 24 points and Aguirre added 23 as the Hawks cruised to a 73-48 victory that extended their winning streak to four games. They are now 4-1 on the season, while Indianola fell to 0-4.
“I thought Indianola played really well,” said Ankeny coach Brandt Carlson. “They shot the ball much better than their stats indicated, and any win is a good win in high school. We’re excited for our guys.”
Indianola held a 12-9 lead in the first quarter before Ankeny closed out the period with a 9-2 run. Rio Aguirre tied the game with a 3-point goal, Lio Aguirre followed with a 3-point play, and then Johnson swished a 3-pointer to give the Hawks an 18-14 lead.
After holding a 36-24 advantage at halftime, Ankeny outscored the Indians in the third quarter, 18-10, to build a 54-34 margin. Johnson and Lio Aguirre combined for 16 of the Hawks’ 18 points in the period.
“They really needed to (step up) in a game like this,” Carlson said of the senior duo. “I think sometimes when you’re playing a team that you haven’t had a lot of time to prepare for and there are some uncertainties at times, you need your older guys to step up and lead the way.”
Indianola got nine points from freshman guard Easton McGraw, who went 3-for-3 from 3-point range. His trey pulled the Indians to within 58-45 midway through the fourth quarter before Ankeny answered with an 11-0 run to blow the game open.
Johnson had five points in the run, including his fifth 3-pointer. He went 5-for-11 from behind the arc.
Lio Aguirre went 8-of-12 from the field.
“They zoned us pretty much the whole first half and quite a bit of the second half, so Carson got free quite a bit and Lio got free in the gaps inside,” Carlson said. “I’m proud of those two guys for taking control and leading us all the way through.”
Rio Aguirre had seven points and four assists. Cade Pederson added six points, eight rebounds and two blocks.
Andrew DeWall led Indianola with 13 points, six rebounds and five assists.
“We got a lot of guys in, which was great,” Carlson said.
The Hawks will play a CIML Conference game at Waukee Northwest (2-3) on Tuesday.
