In its last two games, the Ankeny boys’ basketball team has averaged just 45.5 points a contest–15 points fewer than the Hawks averaged during their losses to Valley and Waukee in the previous two games.
But somehow, Ankeny has managed to go 2-0 during that stretch.
The Hawks followed up Friday’s 41-38 victory at Johnston with another road win on Tuesday. This time, they posted a 50-48 triumph at Dallas Center-Grimes in a non-conference game.
The win avenged last year’s 84-68 loss at Dallas Center-Grimes and allowed Ankeny to even its overall record at 6-6. The Mustangs (7-4) had won their last six games after getting off to a 1-3 start.
“We really struggled over there last year,” said Ankeny coach Brandt Carlson. “We were able to just hang in there. We didn’t play great–didn’t shoot great or do some other things as well as we would have liked–but it was good enough to win. We made some big plays down the stretch and hit some free throws.”
Ankeny shot just 30.8 percent from the field (16-of-52), but the Hawks committed only five turnovers and made 13-of-18 free throws. Dallas Center-Grimes, meanwhile, went just 6-of-11 at the line.
Ankeny also won the rebounding battle by a 35-25 margin. Jasani Campbell grabbed 10 rebounds to lead the way, while Drew Sorensen added seven boards.
“This game was a lot like (the Johnston game) to a certain degree,” Carlson said. “It’s just the way this team is built. We’re probably not going to get away from you, but we’ll hang in there. I think at the end of the day we just keep battling and find a way.”
Ankeny held a 25-24 lead at halftime, then extended the advantage to 44-36 after three quarters. The Hawks then held on for the win, despite scoring just six points in the final period.
“We had a chance to ice it with some free throws and didn’t do that, but then we had two defensive possessions to preserve the win,” Carlson said. “I’m proud of the guys.”
Rio Aguirre poured in a game-high 24 points to lead the Hawks, going 10-of-13 at the charity stripe. He also had six rebounds and four assists.
Aguirre has scored more than 20 points in seven of the 12 games.
Sorensen finished with eight points in the win. Campbell added seven points and two steals, while Dylan Gloviak chipped in six points.
“Dylan hit a couple of big 3-pointers, and (Evan) Irlmeier had one as well,” Carlson said.
Former Valley player Kyle Cason led Dallas Center-Grimes with 20 points and 11 rebounds. Freshman Chase Perrin added 13 points.
“They’re good,” Carlson said of the Mustangs. “They went to state last year and have a lot of nice players. We feel very fortunate.”
The win could potentially help Ankeny’s seeding for substate play.
“Any win you can get in January is great,” Carlson said. “We’ll just keep building.”
The Hawks will host a CIML Conference game against Southeast Polk on Friday. The Rams are 0-10 in the league and 4-10 overall after dropping a 69-49 decision at sixth-ranked Waukee Northwest on Tuesday.
Ankeny won the first meeting at Southeast Polk, 74-68, in double overtime on Dec. 17.
