Senior guard Dylan Gloviak helped the Ankeny boys’ basketball team to a 63-48 victory at ninth-ranked Dowling Catholic on Friday. He had four points and two steals in the win.
Gloviak is averaging 3.5 points and 1.8 rebounds per game. He is shooting 42.0 percent from the field (21-of-50).
Gloviak is also a defender/midfielder on the Ankeny boys’ soccer squad. He helped the Hawks to an 11-9 record last season, including a trip to the Class 4A quarterfinals.
Here is some inside info on Gloviak:
Congratulations on the win at Dowling, which was your team’s third over a top-10 opponent this season. What do you think was the key to the victory?
Thank you! I believe the key to the win was the energy we brought to the game. Everyone played their role super well, which really helped us execute the game plan.
You had a big steal that you converted into a layup early in the fourth quarter to help seal the win. Do you feel like your defensive pressure is where you contribute the most to this team?
Absolutely, defense has always been one of my best contributions when it comes to basketball. I’m willing to do whatever role gives us the best chance at winning, and the majority of the time I can help the team the most on defense!
After the game, coach Brandt Carlson credited you for challenging him on a couple of things and telling him to trust the players more. Can you shed a little more light on that conversation?
Yes, and I really appreciate him saying that. However, I wouldn’t consider it challenging as much as collaborating toward the same goal of making a run in the postseason. Our team specifically has a lot of good basketball athletes in Rio (Aguirre), Sani (Campbell) and Drew (Sorensen), as well as multi-sport athletes like Evan (Irlmeier), LaMarious (Clark), Luke (Anderson), Kael (Roush) and more. Which is why I believed our team’s speed and competitiveness could be a really good asset for us going forward.
A week ago, your team dropped a 74-36 decision to a Southeast Polk squad that was winless in the CIML Conference, and it was the team’s worst loss ever under coach Carlson. How were you guys able to flush that loss and bounce back from it?
That was a tough loss for us, and the best thing we could do is get the next one. Since the loss, there has been more urgency from our team which has played a part in our recent success.
Your squad has now won five straight road games as well as a neutral site contest against Linn-Mar (Marion) at Cedar Rapids. Why do you think your team has had so much success on the road?
Road games are always fun in my opinion. Collectively our team knows how difficult playing on the road is, which makes us seem to look forward to them. Our team knows in order to win on the road we have to execute the best we can.
Your team will now host another top-10 foe in No. 5 Waukee Northwest on Monday, and this is your first matchup against the Wolves. What do you know about them?
Northwest is a super talented squad. They got a couple of transfers that have played a big part in their success this season. It’s going to be a hard-fought game for us.
What do you think a win over Northwest would do for your team’s confidence moving forward?
A win over Northwest would be huge for us. They are an efficient team with a lot of good athletes. A win would continue to raise our confidence going forward.
Your team will then host Urbandale on Friday for your Senior Night. Do you think it will be an emotional night for you?
Definitely. I’ve been playing basketball for as long as I can remember. Senior Night is something you look at as a kid and never really think it will come. With me being a soccer player, I’m just thankful I’ve had the opportunity to play as long as I have!
Obviously, your team’s goal is to make another postseason run and get back to Wells Fargo Arena for the state tournament. Do you see any similarities between this team and last year’s squad that reached the Class 4A semifinals?
Our team this year and last year’s team are almost incomparable on the court. Almost everything about us is different in our playstyles. The only thing I would say is similar is how hard we fight to win.
You mentioned that you’re a soccer player. Is that the sport you are planning to play in college?
Yes, I will be playing soccer at McKendree University. I was looking to get out of Iowa for a new experience, and this school will allow me to go to school near St. Louis and continue playing at a high level.
Do you know what you’re going to study?
I’m not for sure yet, but I’m between something in the business field and exercise science.