Tuesday’s game against third-ranked Valley was already going to be a challenge for the Ankeny boys’ basketball team.
It became even tougher when Carson Johnson, the leading scorer in Class 4A, was unable to play.
Johnson sat out with a hand injury that he suffered during Friday’s loss to Waukee Northwest, and the host Hawks went on to drop a 67-48 decision to the defending state champions.
“It was tough without Carson, and it’s also tough when you’re playing–what I believe–is still the best team in the state,” Ankeny coach Brandt Carlson said of the Tigers. “When you consider the talent that they have, and they got (Curtis) Stinson back tonight for the first time in a couple of weeks. There are no consolation prizes, but it was good to see our guys fight and compete and I thought our attitudes were in the right spot.”
Stinson scored 17 points on 7-of-8 shooting and Jayden McGregory added 14 as Valley improved to 10-3 in the CIML Conference and 12-4 overall. The Tigers kept their league title hopes alive.
Cash Schoolen had 13 points, Lio Aguirre chipped in 12 and Cade Pederson added 10 for the Hawks, whose records fell to 7-5 and 10-6. Aguirre also had seven rebounds, two assists and a steal.
“It was hard not having (Johnson),” said Pederson. “Our offense was really stagnant, but I still think we played pretty well.”
Pederson had eight of his points in the first quarter as Ankeny took an early 15-12 lead. The Hawks adjusted to Johnson’s absence by having Lio or Rio Aguirre bring the ball up the court.
“We had to change up our 1 spot, and I think it worked out pretty well,” Pederson said. “Our offense was a little slow, but I thought our defensive intensity was great.”
Valley then answered with a 15-0 run that included a basket by Trevin Jirak that put the Tigers ahead for good, 16-15, at the end of the opening period. Stinson later capped the flurry with a pair of baskets that extended the margin to 27-15.
Ankeny closed the gap to 35-26 at halftime, then opened the third quarter with an 8-1 run. A 3-pointer by Lio Aguirre pulled the Hawks to within 36-34.
However, Stinson scored six points in a 10-4 run that gave Valley a 48-40 advantage after three periods. The Tigers then scored the first seven points of the fourth quarter to pull away.
Johnson said he injured his hand when it got dragged on the court after taking a fall during Friday’s game.
“It was a weird deal,” he said. ” It got ripped open, so I had to go get stitches right away. But it’s feeling a lot better today, and it’s getting better every day.”
The Hawks will host another conference game against No. 8 Ankeny Centennial (7-4, 12-4) on Friday. The Jaguars won the first meeting, 64-52, on Dec. 19.
“I think I’ll be back,” Johnson said. “I still need to see how it feels, but as of right now, I think I’ll be ready for it.”
Carlson said whether Johnson returns to the lineup will depend upon his pain tolerance.
“It’s hard to know,” he said. “It’s just a deep cut so it really comes down to the pain and what he can handle. It’s in a spot where you’re going to get hit a lot, and he gets hit a lot. I would love to see him get back Friday, but if he doesn’t, we’re going to work toward getting him healthy for tournament time.”
Pederson said the Ankeny players will be ready for the Jag-Hawk rematch regardless.
“It’s going to be fun,” he said.
