Senior forward Cade Pederson helped the Ankeny boys’ basketball team to an 18-7 record and a trip to the Class 4A semifinals. He averaged 4.8 points and 5.5 rebounds per game while leading the Hawks with 23 blocks.
Pederson had eight points and eight rebounds in Ankeny’s 60-47 win over Dubuque Senior in the Class 4A quarterfinals on Wednesday at Wells Fargo Arena. He had four points and three boards in the Hawks’ 63-51 loss to top-ranked Cedar Rapids Kennedy in the semifinals on Thursday.
Pederson earned all-conference honorable mention from the coaches in the CIML Conference.
Here is some inside info on Pederson:
Congratulations on an outstanding season. What was the key to the team’s turnaround from a 9-15 record a year ago?
I think the key to this season was to keep increasing our chemistry and learning how to play as a team. I had to step up and learn a new role in order to help the team succeed. Playing in the summer and fall leagues with the guys helped us a ton.
You played a big role in the win over Dubuque Senior, helping to hold the Rams’ Jacob Williams and Tevin Schultz below their season averages. Did you feel like if your team could control the paint that you’d be able to come out on top?
Yes, we knew they were going to try to beat us down low so Cash (Schoolen), Lio (Aguirre) and I had to limit their shots in the paint and continue to crash the glass hard. Overall, I thought we handled this scenario pretty well.
Obviously, the slow start against Kennedy proved to be too much to overcome. Are you proud, though, of the way your team fought back?
I’m super proud with how our team fought back, and it honestly felt like we won three out of the four quarters. But Kennedy came out really strong, and it was too much for us.
What adjustments did the team make to get back into the game?
We needed to take care of the ball and limit the turnovers and their points they got off those turnovers. We also had to break their press by skipping the ball across the court. Once we started doing that, it felt like we could come back.
Coach Brandt Carlson said it’s a shock to play Kennedy because of its length and rugged defense. Did you ever imagine that the Cougars would be able to hold Carson Johnson, the leading scorer in Class 4A, to just nine points?
No, but I knew going into the game that they were going to have constant pressure on CJ, and it was going to be a challenge for him. I thought he played well and continued to break the press with ease, although it was hard to score because of their size.
Both Kennedy coach Jon McKowen and Cyrus Courtney told me that Carson is probably the best player in the state. How much confidence did that give you to have him on your side this season?
I loved having CJ on our side of the ball, and I felt like most of my success happened when I played off of him. I’ve never played with someone as dynamic as him, and that gave our whole team the confidence we needed to compete.
Did you attend the championship game between Kennedy and Valley?
Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to make the game, but I watched it online.
Who did you think would win, and who were you rooting for?
I predicted and wanted Valley to win because they were the last CIML team alive.
You can now turn your attention toward track and field, since you are a long jumper for the Hawks. What are your goals for the season?
My individual goal for the upcoming season is to break the 22-foot mark in long jump and qualify for the state meet.
I know your team has already had some impressive performances in the indoor meets. Do you think this team can win a state title?
I think this is the year to do it. We still have to go out and compete. But I’ve been talking to some of the guys, and they have been flying this year. It should be a very fun season!
Plans for next year?
I’m not 100 percent sure where I’ll go to college yet, but the plan so far is to go to Iowa State and study finance.
