Ankeny Fanatic

Your Ankeny Sports Resource

Boys' Basketball

Hawks keep it close for awhile before No. 2 Waukee pulls away in 2nd half

by

The Ankeny boys' basketball team proved on Tuesday night that it can play on the same court with second-ranked Waukee. For awhile, anyway. The Hawks outscored Waukee in the second quarter, 13-5, to pull within 28-20 at halftime. The visiting Warriors then used a 19-0 run in the third quarter to pull away for a 65-37 victory in a non-conference … [Read more...] about Hawks keep it close for awhile before No. 2 Waukee pulls away in 2nd half

Blimpie Sub of the Week: JJ Kohl, Ankeny boys’ basketball

by

Sophomore JJ Kohl is a member of the Ankeny boys' basketball team. He has helped the Hawks to a 4-4 record. Kohl scored seven points on Tuesday in Ankeny's 65-37 loss to visiting Waukee, the No. 2 team in Class 4A. He had 20 points and 19 rebounds in the Hawks' 71-61 victory over visiting Mason City on Jan. 12. Kohl is averaging 9.1 points and 6.3 … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: JJ Kohl, Ankeny boys’ basketball

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Matt Stueckradt, Ankeny boys’ basketball

by

Senior guard Matt Stueckradt has helped the Ankeny boys' basketball team to a 4-3 record. He has started four of the seven games. Stueckradt is averaging 3.0 points and 1.3 assists per game. He scored five points in the Hawks' 71-61 victory over visiting Mason City on Tuesday. Here is some inside info on Stueckradt: How is the season going thus … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Matt Stueckradt, Ankeny boys’ basketball

Kohl dominates inside, leads Ankeny boys past Mohawks, into 2nd place

by

It has taken awhile for JJ Kohl to find his role on the Ankeny boys' basketball team. If the Ankeny Centennial transfer continues to play like he did on Tuesday, he could become the Hawks' go-to player. Kohl scored a career-high 20 points and grabbed 19 rebounds to lead Ankeny to a 71-61 victory over visiting Mason City. He went 8-for-11 from the … [Read more...] about Kohl dominates inside, leads Ankeny boys past Mohawks, into 2nd place

Stueckradt sticks to Marshalltown’s leading scorer, helps Hawks to victory

by

Ankeny guard Matt Stueckradt scored only three points during Friday's boys' basketball game against visiting Marshalltown. His impact on the game came at the other end of the floor. Stueckradt held Marshalltown's leading scorer without a point in the first half as Ankeny built a 22-17 lead, and the Hawks eventually held on for a 49-44 victory in the … [Read more...] about Stueckradt sticks to Marshalltown’s leading scorer, helps Hawks to victory

‘I was a little nervous’: Assistant coach Lamaak guides Jaguars past rival

by

Ben Lamaak felt a little uneasy heading into Tuesday's game against the Ankeny boys' basketball team. The play of his Ankeny Centennial squad calmed his nerves. Lamaak, a longtime assistant coach, took over the team due to the absence of head coach Bob Fontana and guided the third-ranked Jaguars to a 71-56 victory in a CIML Iowa Conference game at … [Read more...] about ‘I was a little nervous’: Assistant coach Lamaak guides Jaguars past rival

Potent Waukee boys shut down Hawks in rematch of last year’s Class 4A title game

by

The Waukee boys' basketball team that lost to Ankeny in last year's Class 4A championship game was a loaded squad with at least two Division I recruits. Now, the Warriors are even better. The addition of Dowling Catholic transfer Omaha Biliew, one of the nation's top prospects in the Class of 2023, has made Waukee the prohibitive favorite to capture … [Read more...] about Potent Waukee boys shut down Hawks in rematch of last year’s Class 4A title game

Ankeny boys romp past Fort Dodge as 4 players score in double figures

by

Bouncing back from its first loss of the season, the Ankeny boys' basketball team romped to an 80-48 victory over visiting Fort Dodge on Friday. The ninth-ranked Hawks, who had lost at Pella on Tuesday, improved to 2-0 in the CIML Iowa Conference and 2-1 overall. The Dodgers dropped to 0-3 on the season, with all three losses coming against league … [Read more...] about Ankeny boys romp past Fort Dodge as 4 players score in double figures

Pella boys make 13 3-pointers, hand Hawks their first loss of the season

by

Scoring points hasn't been an issue for the Ankeny boys' basketball team in its first two games. Stopping its opponent, though, was a little bit of a problem on Tuesday. The visiting Hawks suffered their first loss as Pella made 13-of-23 3-point shots and remained unbeaten with a 68-64 victory in a non-conference game. "We're scoring about what we … [Read more...] about Pella boys make 13 3-pointers, hand Hawks their first loss of the season

‘I knew I had to get in the lane’: Simonsen draws charge to seal Hawks’ victory

by

As a defensive lineman on the Ankeny football team, Braden Simonsen did a lot of the dirty work in the trenches to help the Hawks to the Class 4A state title. On Friday, Simonsen showed that he can do the dirty work on the basketball court, too. The junior post player stepped in front of Mason City's Cory Miner and drew a charging foul with 2 seconds … [Read more...] about ‘I knew I had to get in the lane’: Simonsen draws charge to seal Hawks’ victory

Defending champions boast high hopes despite heavy losses to graduation

by

Ankeny boys' basketball coach Brandt Carlson was thrilled to see the Ankeny football team claim a state championship earlier this month, even if it meant two of his top returning players wouldn't be able to practice for awhile. "I am extremely happy for coach (Rick) Nelson, the staff and team in capturing the 2020 state championship in football," Carlson … [Read more...] about Defending champions boast high hopes despite heavy losses to graduation

Ankeny basketball star Bayless to play for juco power Indian Hills

by

Ankeny basketball standout Braxton Bayless has verbally committed to play for juco powerhouse Indian Hills Community College in Ottumwa. Bayless announced his decision via Twitter last week. "100% Committed #JucoProduct #Bigger Plans," he tweeted. Bayless averaged 22.9 points and 6.6 rebounds per game while leading the Hawks to a 21-5 record and the … [Read more...] about Ankeny basketball star Bayless to play for juco power Indian Hills

Ex-Hawk Smith to play basketball at Central College

by

Former Ankeny basketball player Jalen Smith has found a new home in Pella. Smith, a 6-foot-2 guard, has decided to play for Central College after sitting out the 2019-20 season. "It was difficult at first, but I was trying to find a home closer to (Ankeny)," Smith said. "I was really looking hard at Simpson and Central. It was a hard decision, but I … [Read more...] about Ex-Hawk Smith to play basketball at Central College

Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Cade Davis, Ankeny boys’ tennis

by

Senior Cade Davis is the top returning player for the Ankeny boys' tennis team. The Wartburg recruit was the squad's No. 1 singles player as a junior, helping the Hawks to a 3-9 record. Davis was also a member of the Ankeny boys' basketball team. The Hawks captured the Class 4A state title last month. Here is some inside info on Davis: We've had … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Cade Davis, Ankeny boys’ tennis

‘I think we played in a similar way’: Ex-AHS great Sears compares Hawks’ title teams

by

When the Ankeny boys' basketball team went on its magical postseason run earlier this month, perhaps nobody enjoyed it more than former Ankeny great Ryan Sears. Sears, who has lived in Omaha for the last five years, watched from afar as the Hawks captured the second state title in school history. "The way they came out and played (in the Class 4A … [Read more...] about ‘I think we played in a similar way’: Ex-AHS great Sears compares Hawks’ title teams

Bayless, McCullough, Crews, Johnson earn all-state honors from IPSWA

by

Four of the state's top 24 boys' basketball players in Class 4A played for either state champion Ankeny or CIML Central Conference champ Ankeny Centennial, according to the Iowa Print Sports Writers Association. Senior guard Braxton Bayless of Ankeny and senior forward Cody McCullough of Centennial were both selected to the Class 4A all-state first team … [Read more...] about Bayless, McCullough, Crews, Johnson earn all-state honors from IPSWA

Centennial trio, Ankeny’s Bayless named to Central Conference first team

by

The Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team dominated the CIML Central Conference during the regular season. That probably explains why the Jaguars dominated the all-conference teams that were voted on by the league's coaches. Senior forwards Cody McCullough and Micah Johnson as well as junior guard Jaron Crews were all unanimous picks to the first … [Read more...] about Centennial trio, Ankeny’s Bayless named to Central Conference first team