Ankeny Fanatic

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Boys' Basketball

After 18-day layoff, Ankeny boys pull away in 2nd half to defeat Fort Dodge

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The Ankeny boys' basketball players had to wait 18 days to get back on the court after dropping a 57-50 decision to fourth-ranked Waukee Northwest on Dec. 17. The layoff may have been a little too long. The Hawks shook off some rust and pulled away in the second half to defeat visiting Fort Dodge, 64-46, on Tuesday. The Dodgers' previous four losses … [Read more...] about After 18-day layoff, Ankeny boys pull away in 2nd half to defeat Fort Dodge

Rematch against Northwest begins big week for Centennial basketball teams

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The race for the CIML Iowa Conference basketball titles will resume this week with some big matchups, highlighted by Tuesday's rematch between host Ankeny Centennial and Waukee Northwest. Prior to the holiday break, Northwest swept a doubleheader against the visiting Jaguars on Dec. 21. The 10th-ranked Wolves posted a 45-39 victory over No. 5 Centennial … [Read more...] about Rematch against Northwest begins big week for Centennial basketball teams

THE PRYCE IS RIGHT: Sandfort leads late rally as Northwest boys surge past AHS

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The Ankeny boys' basketball team has already faced two of the state's best players in Tamin Lipsey of Ames and Eli Raridon of Valley. The Hawks faced another one on Friday in Waukee Northwest's Pryce Sandfort. Sandfort racked up 30 points, 13 rebounds and eight blocks to lead the ninth-ranked Wolves to a 57-50 road victory in a CIML Iowa Conference … [Read more...] about THE PRYCE IS RIGHT: Sandfort leads late rally as Northwest boys surge past AHS

BALANCED ATTACK: 5 Ankeny players score in double figures in win over Rails

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There was no letdown for the Ankeny boys' basketball team following an emotional victory on Monday. The Hawks had five players in double figures and defeated visiting Des Moines Lincoln, 79-56, in a non-conference game on Tuesday. They improved to 4-1 on the season with their fourth straight win, while the Railsplitters dropped to 2-3. "I was proud of … [Read more...] about BALANCED ATTACK: 5 Ankeny players score in double figures in win over Rails

Hawks shut down former teammate Drea, Indianola for 72-60 road victory

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Indianola guard Brayden Drea was excited to play against his former teammates on Monday night. The Ankeny boys' basketball players relished that same opportunity. Lio Aguirre scored 20 points, Carson Johnson added 19, and the Hawks led from start to finish in a 72-60 victory at Indianola in a non-conference game. "It was fun," said Ankeny guard Ryan … [Read more...] about Hawks shut down former teammate Drea, Indianola for 72-60 road victory

Hawks jump out to big lead, then hold off Marshalltown’s rallies for 65-53 victory

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When the Ankeny boys' basketball team jumped out to a 17-1 lead against visiting Marshalltown on Friday, it appeared that the game would be a rout. But the Bobcats didn't go down without a fight. Marshalltown closed the gap to just three points on three different occasions before the Hawks pulled away for a 65-53 victory in the CIML Iowa Conference … [Read more...] about Hawks jump out to big lead, then hold off Marshalltown’s rallies for 65-53 victory

‘It was a hard-fought win’: Hawks overcome Valley, Raridon for first victory

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A few weeks ago, the Ankeny football team defeated Valley in the Class 5A semifinals to earn the right to play for a state championship. On Tuesday, the Hawks waged another epic battle against their CIML rival--this time on the basketball court. Ryan Crandall, who had a team-high 6.5 tackles in Ankeny's win over the Tigers at the UNI-Dome, scored 19 … [Read more...] about ‘It was a hard-fought win’: Hawks overcome Valley, Raridon for first victory

Ankeny boys battle Little Cyclones down to the wire before Lipsey takes over

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The Ankeny boys' basketball program doesn't play for moral victories. But if ever a game qualified as one, Friday's season-opening loss at Ames would probably be it. The Little Cyclones, one of the favorites to win the Class 4A state title, held off a furious Ankeny rally in the second half to post a 54-44 victory in a CIML Iowa Conference game. "It … [Read more...] about Ankeny boys battle Little Cyclones down to the wire before Lipsey takes over

Experienced Hawks looking to rebound from last season’s 10-10 campaign

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There won't be any break for Ankeny football standouts Ryan Crandall, JJ Kohl and Braden Simonsen. After helping the Hawks to a runner-up finish in the Class 5A playoffs on the gridiron earlier this month, the trio has made a quick transition to the basketball court. The Ankeny boys' squad will open its season on Friday with a difficult road test at Ames, … [Read more...] about Experienced Hawks looking to rebound from last season’s 10-10 campaign

Changes coming in boys’ and girls’ basketball, bowling, and track and field

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Three recommendations from the joint committees of the Iowa High School Athletic Association and Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union have been recently approved by both boards for boys' and girls' competition in basketball, bowling, and track and field. The IGHSAU Board of Directors unanimously voted the measures through at their July meeting that will … [Read more...] about Changes coming in boys’ and girls’ basketball, bowling, and track and field

‘I believe I can achieve my goals there’: Neyail to play for Impact Academy

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Bentor Neyail's best basketball is still ahead of him. The Ankeny senior is hoping that a year of prep school hoops will help him reach his potential. Neyail has decided to play for Impact Academy in Las Vegas, Nev. He announced his decision via Twitter on Sunday. "What I liked about Impact was how they care about every individual athlete and focus … [Read more...] about ‘I believe I can achieve my goals there’: Neyail to play for Impact Academy

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Bentor Neyail, Ankeny boys’ basketball

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Senior forward Bentor Neyail helped the Ankeny boys' basketball team to a 10-10 record this season. He averaged 4.1 points and 3.8 rebounds per game while tying for the team lead in blocks with nine. Neyail scored a career-high 13 points in the Hawks' 66-38 victory over visiting Des Moines Hoover on Feb. 9. He had 10 points in a 68-64 loss at eventual … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Bentor Neyail, Ankeny boys’ basketball

Crews, McAleer, Crandall named to CIML Iowa Conference first team

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For the second straight year, Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball standout Jaron Crews has earned first-team all-conference honors from the coaches in the Central Iowa Metropolitan League. Crews, a senior guard, was named to the CIML Iowa Conference first team along with Centennial teammate Colin McAleer, a senior forward. Junior forward Ryan Crandall of … [Read more...] about Crews, McAleer, Crandall named to CIML Iowa Conference first team

‘Our guys didn’t back down’: Hawks put up a fight in loss to No. 2 Waukee

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When the Ankeny boys' basketball team suffered a 65-28 loss to Waukee on Dec. 21, the Hawks clearly had a long way to go to compete with one of the state's best squads. Ankeny showed some signs of progress a month later, when the Hawks trailed Waukee by just eight points at halftime before dropping a 65-37 decision. On Tuesday, the Hawks closed the gap … [Read more...] about ‘Our guys didn’t back down’: Hawks put up a fight in loss to No. 2 Waukee

Blimpie Sub of the Week: Karson Wehde, Ankeny boys’ basketball

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Sophomore forward Karson Wehde helped the Ankeny boys' basketball team to a 10-10 record. He scored six points as the Hawks ended their season with a 74-54 loss to second-ranked Waukee in a Class 4A substate final on Tuesday at Indianola. Wehde averaged 3.3 points and 1.7 rebounds per game. He placed third on the team with 15 3-point goals, shooting 35.7 … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Karson Wehde, Ankeny boys’ basketball

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Ryan Crandall, Ankeny boys’ basketball

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Junior forward Ryan Crandall scored nine points to help the Ankeny boys' basketball team to a 48-40 victory over visiting Norwalk in a Class 4A substate semifinal on Friday. He also had 11 rebounds, four assists and three steals. Crandall leads Ankeny in both scoring and rebounding, averaging 11.2 points and 7.4 boards. He has also racked up a team-high … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Ryan Crandall, Ankeny boys’ basketball

Ankeny boys hold off Norwalk, earn another shot against No. 2 Waukee

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The Ankeny boys' basketball team was ready for the start of postseason play. The defending state champion Hawks jumped out to a 13-0 lead in the first quarter and then held off visiting Norwalk's rally in the second half to post a 48-40 victory in a Class 4A substate semifinal on Friday. "It relieved some pressure to get that early lead," said Ankeny … [Read more...] about Ankeny boys hold off Norwalk, earn another shot against No. 2 Waukee