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Boys' Basketball

‘It was not fun to go through’: Ankeny boys struggle offensively in 61-46 loss to Rams

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After getting off to an impressive 3-0 start, the Ankeny boys' basketball team has suffered back-to-back losses on its home court. Friday's 66-59 loss to an unbeaten Waukee squad was disappointing, but hardly a cause for concern. Tuesday's 61-46 defeat at the hands of Southeast Polk was more puzzling. "It was one of those situations," said Ankeny coach … [Read more...] about ‘It was not fun to go through’: Ankeny boys struggle offensively in 61-46 loss to Rams

‘Tonight we learned a lot’: Hawks suffer first loss as Waukee boys control 2nd half

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(Story by Stephen McDaniel) By the end of the night, it was guaranteed that the CIML Conference was going to have one fewer undefeated boys' basketball team at the top of the league standings. A second-half cold streak for Ankeny opened the door for visiting Waukee to come away with a 66-59 win on Friday as the Hawks suffered their first loss of the … [Read more...] about ‘Tonight we learned a lot’: Hawks suffer first loss as Waukee boys control 2nd half

Hawks use late run to defeat Johnston, stay 1 of 4 unbeaten teams in conference

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Ankeny boys' basketball coach Brandt Carlson knows that every game on the road in the CIML Conference is going to be a grind. Fortunately, he appears to have a team capable of winning in tough environments. The Hawks used a late 13-5 run to post a 63-58 victory at Johnston on Tuesday. There were 15 lead changes and six ties in the seesaw … [Read more...] about Hawks use late run to defeat Johnston, stay 1 of 4 unbeaten teams in conference

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Drew Sorensen, Ankeny boys’ basketball

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Senior guard Drew Sorensen scored seven points, all of them in the third quarter, to help the Ankeny boys' basketball team to a 58-46 victory on Friday at  Ankeny Centennial. The Hawks improved to 2-0 on the season. Sorensen averaged 7.7 points and 4.2 rebounds per game as a junior, when he helped Ankeny to a 10-12 record. He earned all-conference … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Drew Sorensen, Ankeny boys’ basketball

‘We prepared for it all week’: Ankeny boys defeat Jaguars for 5th consecutive time

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The Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team took a huge step forward on Friday night. It still wasn't enough, though, to end the Jaguars' recent losing streak to crosstown rival Ankeny. The Hawks opened the second half with an 11-0 run to take the lead for good and went on to post a 58-46 win at Centennial. It was their fifth straight triumph in the … [Read more...] about ‘We prepared for it all week’: Ankeny boys defeat Jaguars for 5th consecutive time

Newcomers Allison, Ford, Clark help Ankeny boys to 58-52 victory over Valley

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The new pieces on the Ankeny boys' basketball team made their presence felt during Tuesday's season opener against visiting Valley. Max Allison, a 7-foot-1 center, had six points, eight rebounds and four blocks in his first varsity start as the Hawks posted a 58-52 victory. Keyon Ford, a sophomore forward, added four points and four steals off the … [Read more...] about Newcomers Allison, Ford, Clark help Ankeny boys to 58-52 victory over Valley

‘We can make a run at a trophy’: Talented Hawks return Aguirre, 3 other starters

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Ankeny boys' basketball standout Rio Aguirre proved a year ago that he can carry a team. Now, the senior guard will have to do it all over again--perhaps with even more attention from opposing defenses. Aguirre is one of four returning starters from a team that posted a 10-12 record last season. The others are senior forward Kael Roush, senior guard … [Read more...] about ‘We can make a run at a trophy’: Talented Hawks return Aguirre, 3 other starters

‘I see it being a really good fit’: Ankeny star Aguirre commits to play for Sioux Falls

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Ankeny basketball star Rio Aguirre has verbally committed to play for the University of Sioux Falls. Aguirre, a guard, will join the Cougars' program in the fall of 2026. "I had been on a few other visits, but I don’t think this was a tough decision for me at all," said Aguirre. "(Assistant) coach (Drew) Guebert and (head) coach (Chris) Johnson really … [Read more...] about ‘I see it being a really good fit’: Ankeny star Aguirre commits to play for Sioux Falls

IHSAA: Boys’ state basketball tournament will move to Hilton Coliseum in 2027

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Hilton Magic is coming to the Iowa boys' state basketball tournament. Here is a press release from the Iowa High School Athletic Association announcing that its annual hoops tournament will move to Hilton Coliseum in Ames beginning in 2027: A century after playing championships inside State Gym, the Iowa High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) and … [Read more...] about IHSAA: Boys’ state basketball tournament will move to Hilton Coliseum in 2027

Ankeny’s Aguirre named to boys’ Class 4A all-state 2nd team by IBCA and IPSWA

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Ankeny boys' basketball standout Rio Aguirre has been named to the Class 4A all-state second team by the Iowa Basketball Coaches Association and the Iowa Print Sports Writers Association. Aguirre, a junior guard, led the Hawks to a 10-12 record this season. He was earlier a unanimous pick to the CIML Conference first team. Aguirre averaged a team-high … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Aguirre named to boys’ Class 4A all-state 2nd team by IBCA and IPSWA

Ankeny’s Aguirre among 4 unanimous picks to boys’ CIML Conference first team

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Ankeny boys' basketball standout Rio Aguirre has been unanimously selected to the CIML Conference first team. Aguirre, a junior guard, led the Hawks to a 10-12 record this season. He averaged a team-high 20.0 points, 5.7 rebounds and 5.2 assists per game--the only player in Class 4A to average 20, 5 and 5 in those three categories. Aguirre also led his … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Aguirre among 4 unanimous picks to boys’ CIML Conference first team

‘What we tried didn’t work’: Cason scores school-record 46, leads DC-G past Hawks

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The Ankeny boys' basketball team was hoping to get another shot at CIML Conference rival Valley, the two-time defending Class 4A state champion. But Dallas Center-Grimes senior guard Kyle Cason had plenty of motivation to play the Tigers, too. The Valley transfer scored a school-record 46 points on 13-of-19 shooting to lead the Mustangs to a 76-69 … [Read more...] about ‘What we tried didn’t work’: Cason scores school-record 46, leads DC-G past Hawks

FROSH PHENOMS: Johnson, Winkel named to all-conference first team

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Ankeny natives Carson Johnson and Luke Winkel have both been named to the all-Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference first team, the league office announced on Thursday. They were the only two freshmen among the 12 men's basketball players on the first team. Johnson, a former Ankeny star, earned the honor despite playing in only 17 games for MSU Moorhead … [Read more...] about FROSH PHENOMS: Johnson, Winkel named to all-conference first team

No. 4 Jaguars, No. 14 Hawkettes advance to regional finals with lopsided victories

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The Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball teams opened postseason play on Saturday night with lopsided victories. The fourth-ranked Jaguars rolled to a 68-17 triumph over visiting Marshalltown, while the No. 14 Hawkettes cruised to a 66-14 win over visiting Sioux City East in another Class 5A regional semifinal. We'll have stories on both games … [Read more...] about No. 4 Jaguars, No. 14 Hawkettes advance to regional finals with lopsided victories

‘We still have confidence’: Hawks gear up for substate play after season-ending loss

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(Story by Stephen McDaniel) It wasn’t exactly the way they wanted to close out the regular season, but the Ankeny boys' basketball players are still confident heading into substate play. The Hawks traveled to Waukee Northwest on Thursday for a showdown against the fourth-ranked Wolves. After a strong start turned into a 90-52 loss, the Ankeny players … [Read more...] about ‘We still have confidence’: Hawks gear up for substate play after season-ending loss

‘It’s frustrating’: Urbandale boys use late 12-3 run to rally past Hawks for 62-61 win

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The Ankeny boys' basketball team led almost the entire way during Tuesday's game at Urbandale. The J-Hawks led, though, when it mattered the most. Jaxson Cathcart made two free throws with 2.1 seconds left to cap off a 12-3 run, and Urbandale escaped with a 62-61 victory over the Hawks in a CIML Conference game. "I like how hard our team plays," … [Read more...] about ‘It’s frustrating’: Urbandale boys use late 12-3 run to rally past Hawks for 62-61 win

Boys’ pairings announced: Hawks to host semifinal; Jaguars to play at S.C. North

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The road to the state tournament won't be an easy one for the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball teams. The Iowa High School Athletic Association announced its Class 4A substate pairings on Monday. Ankeny was awarded the No. 2 seed in Substate 8, while Centennial received the No. 5 seed in Substate 7. Ankeny (10-9) will host a substate … [Read more...] about Boys’ pairings announced: Hawks to host semifinal; Jaguars to play at S.C. North