‘They’re really good’: Unbeaten Tigers pull away for 67-53 victory over Ankeny boys

Ankeny’s Rio Aguirre goes up for a layup during Thursday’s game against visiting Cedar Falls. Aguirre scored a game-high 24 points, but it wasn’t enough as the Tigers remained unbeaten with a 67-53 victory. (Photo by Dan Holm)

Ankeny boys’ basketball coach Brandt Carlson was impressed by what he saw of Cedar Falls while preparing for Thursday’s non-conference game.

The visiting Tigers were just as impressive in person.

“They’re really good,” Carlson said after his team dropped a 67-53 decision. “They look great on film, and live they were just as good.”

**Ankeny’s Jasani Campbell shoots over Cedar Falls defender Carsen Gary during Thursday’s game. Campbell scored seven points in the Hawks’ loss. (Photo by Dan Holm)**

Anthony Galvin and William Gerdes each scored 18 points, Jaydon Kimbrough chipped in 15, and Keegan Steege added 12 as Cedar Falls improved to 5-0 on the season. The Tigers’ average margin of victory has been 25 points.

Cedar Falls closed out the first half with a 12-2 run to build a 33-21 advantage. The Hawks could get no closer than five points the rest of the way.

“I was very pleased with our team’s effort,” Carlson said. “We hung in there and had multiple opportunities, but they’ve got good players. Galvin has been around for a long time, and he just kind of took over at times. They made plays when they needed to.”

**Ankeny’s Rio Aguirre is trapped by Cedar Falls defenders Leyton Wolf and Carsen Gary during Thursday’s game. (Photo by Dan Holm)**

Rio Aguirre had 24 points and four assists to lead Ankeny, which dropped to 2-4 on the season. He scored 15 of his points in the second half, including seven in a row midway through the third quarter to pull the Hawks within 40-35.

Aguirre, a junior guard, is averaging nearly 23 points per game–despite facing occasional double teams by opposing defenses.

“They’re going to have to (do that),” Carlson said. “He’s just having a really good year.”

Drew Sorensen contributed nine points and six rebounds in the loss. He scored on three consecutive drives to the basket at the end of the third quarter, beginning with an and-one, to cut Cedar Falls’ lead to 49-42.

**Ankeny’s Drew Sorensen looks to make a pass during Thursday’s game. He had nine points for the Hawks. (Photo by Dan Holm)**

“We saw some really cool things from Drew, and some other guys just looked a little more comfortable in these environments,” Carlson said. “Every game that we play is one more than we’ve ever played together–we’re at game six now–so I just feel like we’ll continue to get stronger and gain that confidence to beat good teams.”

Ankeny will return to action on Jan. 4 with a CIML-MVC crossover game against Linn-Mar (Marion) in Cedar Rapids.

The 15-day layoff will allow Carlson’s players to get a much-needed break.

“I think our football guys haven’t been off since June,” he said. “It’s always a good time to go home and be with your family, rest up and then get back at it.”