When Southeast Polk’s Josh Barjolo banked in a 3-point goal to open Friday’s boys’ basketball game at Ankeny, it was clearly a sign of things to come.
The Rams went on to make 14-of-23 attempts from behind the arc (60.9 percent) and rolled to a 74-36 victory for their first win in CIML Conference play. They avenged an earlier double-overtime loss to Ankeny, which suffered its worst defeat ever under coach Brandt Carlson.
“It was just a tough night,” said Carlson. “It was not something you’d expect. That’s the first time for me personally that we’ve had a running clock against us. But if they’re going to shoot it that well, I don’t know that there was anything we could have done about it.”
Southeast Polk jumped out to a 12-2 advantage barely 3 minutes into the game. Luke Bartlett followed Barjolo’s 3-pointer with two of his own, including one that bounced all over the rim before falling through.
Rex Smith then hit another one from the top of the key. The senior forward went on to score 24 points on 9-of-9 shooting, including 5-of-5 from 3-point range.
The Rams later extended the margin to 36-9 on a trey by Grady Braunshweigh-Norris with 4 minutes 33 seconds left in the second quarter. He finished with 10 points, eight rebounds, two steals and three blocks.
“They played outstanding,” Carlson said. “Everything was sharp. The last couple games against Waukee and Waukee Northwest, they had played well and had leads late in the game. They’re playing six guys, and they’re very confident. They’re going in the right direction, and I really feel like we have been, too. We just have to chalk it up as a game that didn’t go our way. It’s a tough one to swallow, but you’ve just got to do that.”
Barjolo scored 13 points, going 3-of-4 from behind the arc after making just one 3-pointer in the previous 14 games. Bartlett chipped in 11.
Southeast Polk improved to 1-10 in the conference and 5-10 overall. The Hawks’ records dropped to 4-6 and 6-7.
“That was an impressive evening for them,” Carlson said of the Rams. “And honestly, we couldn’t throw it in the ocean. Sometimes in basketball, that does happen. I guess we have to learn what we can from it and move on.”
Rio Aguirre, Ankeny’s leading scorer, was held without a point until he made two free throws with 2:14 remaining in the half. His first basket came on a 3-pointer about 3 minutes into the third quarter, cutting Southeast Polk’s lead to 53-26.
Aguirre led the Hawks with nine points, but was held to single digits for the first time this season. Luke Anderson had eight points, and Drew Sorensen added seven.
Ankeny will try to bounce back on Monday when they host a non-conference game against Indianola (3-7).
“We’ve been battling all season, and hopefully we’ll continue to do that,” Carlson said.
