Ankeny Fanatic

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Boys' Basketball

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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

‘Everybody sees us as the underdog’: Hawks prove they’re the class of 4A

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Waukee's length provided a matchup problem for the Ankeny boys' basketball team in Friday's Class 4A championship game. But the Warriors faced some bigger problems of their own--like how to deal with Ankeny's speed and deadly outside shooting. The sixth-seeded Hawks completed an amazing run to the state title by making 10-of-17 3-point shots and … [Read more...] about ‘Everybody sees us as the underdog’: Hawks prove they’re the class of 4A

SOUTHSIDE PRIDE: Hawks soar to their 2nd boys’ basketball state championship

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No doubt about it, the Ankeny boys' basketball team got hot at the right time and never cooled off. The sixth-seeded Hawks completed an amazing run to the Class 4A state title with a 78-70 victory over No. 4 Waukee in the championship game on Friday at Wells Fargo Arena. It's the program's second crown and comes on the 25th anniversary of the first one in … [Read more...] about SOUTHSIDE PRIDE: Hawks soar to their 2nd boys’ basketball state championship

‘We’re not finished yet’: Kumm, Hawks to play CIML rival Waukee for 4A crown

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Ankeny's Jordan Kumm couldn't have picked a better time to break out of his shooting slump. The senior guard went 6-for-9 from 3-point range and scored 18 points to lead the sixth-seeded Hawks to a 71-57 victory over two-time defending champion Cedar Falls in the Class 4A semifinals of the boys' state basketball tournament on Thursday at Wells Fargo … [Read more...] about ‘We’re not finished yet’: Kumm, Hawks to play CIML rival Waukee for 4A crown

‘He played a hell of a game’: Bayless overcomes Iowa City West’s early lead

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Iowa City West's Marcus Morgan thought his team had a solid defensive strategy to slow down Ankeny's Braxton Bayless. He quickly discovered that the plan was fruitless. Bayless poured in a career-high 41 points, including 17-of-19 free throws, to lead the sixth-seeded Hawks to a 68-54 victory over No. 3 Iowa City West in the Class 4A quarterfinals of … [Read more...] about ‘He played a hell of a game’: Bayless overcomes Iowa City West’s early lead