Senior guard Carson Bright helped the Ankeny boys’ basketball team to a 12-11 record this season. He played in 21 of the 23 games off the bench.
Bright averaged 3.5 points and 1.3 rebounds per game. He shot 57.4 percent from the field (31-of-54), including 12-of-26 from 3-point range (46.2 percent).
Here is some inside info on Bright:
Congratulations on a successful season. I know your team didn’t reach its ultimate goal, but are you proud of what you guys were able to accomplish?
As a team, the ultimate goal obviously was making state and winning the state championship and we certainly fell short there. However, as a team I am still proud of us for the chemistry we showed at the end of the season and the overall success of the season.
You scored a career-high 18 points in a 74-60 win over Cedar Rapids Kennedy on Feb. 7 at Waukee, where you went 8-of-10 from the field in 17 minutes of action and averaged more than a point per minute played. Was that the best game of your life?
I would say that would probably be the best game I’ve ever had and definitely the best varsity basketball game. It was a very exciting time going to Waukee to perform and win the game.
You scored 11 points in a Class 4A substate semifinal against visiting Valley on Feb. 27, when your team jumped out to a 30-2 lead and cruised to a 72-36 victory. Do you think you guys could have played any better than you did in the first 12 minutes of that game?
Honestly no, that was an amazing performance from our starting group specifically. To come out with that much energy was great to see out of the team.
Your teammate, Rio Aguirre, recorded a rare triple-double in that game, finishing with 23 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists. He then scored a career-high 41 points as your team ended the season on Tuesday with an 82-64 loss at third-ranked Waukee Northwest in a substate final. What can you say about Rio’s performances in the postseason?
Rio is definitely the most talented teammate I’ve ever played with, and he proved that in his last two games. He works very hard to be able to perform like he does.
Your team had dropped a 58-49 decision at Northwest on Feb. 10, when you guys played without injured starter Jasani Campbell. So did you go into the substate final feeling like you could pull off an upset?
As a team I think the belief was there that we could win. We were obviously aware of the “odds” being against us, but I don’t think that stopped us from having trust in our talents.
I’m sure your defensive strategy was to try to contain Northwest’s two bigs, Colin Rice and Landon Davis, but the Wolves foiled that plan by making 10-of-25 shots from 3-point range. They’re pretty much unstoppable when they shoot like that, aren’t they?
100 percent. They are one of the best shooting teams in Iowa.
Are you planning to attend any of the games at the state tournament this week?
Yes, I am planning on going to all of them to see how it plays out.
Were you surprised at all that the CIML Conference advanced five teams to the state tournament, including Johnston and Urbandale–who both had to win substate finals on the road?
The CIML having that many teams go to state did not surprise me at all because it is far and away the best basketball conference in Iowa. Even the bottom teams from the CIML would be top teams in most other conferences.
Who do you think will win the Class 4A title?
Waukee Northwest.
What are your plans for next year? Would you like to play basketball in college?
I am planning on going to ISU to study Computer Science and maybe play some intramural basketball up there.