Ankeny Fanatic

Your Ankeny Sports Resource

Boys' Basketball

Hawks move into tie for first place in CIML Central Conference

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The Ankeny boys' basketball team moved into a tie for first place in the CIML Central Conference on Thursday. And the Hawks did it in thrilling fashion. Ankeny rallied from a 19-point deficit in the second half to post an 80-74 victory at Johnston. Braxton Bayless poured in a career-high 30 points and had two huge steals in the final 30 seconds that … [Read more...] about Hawks move into tie for first place in CIML Central Conference

‘It was a great battle’: Hawks build big lead, then hold on to beat Dowling

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Despite its 7-1 start, the Ankeny boys' basketball team had yet to defeat a top-10 opponent. Now, the Hawks have done just that. Ankeny made 13-of-22 attempts from 3-point range (59.1 percent) and posted a 77-73 victory at seventh-ranked Dowling Catholic on Tuesday. The Hawks avenged last month's 64-54 loss to Dowling while snapping the Maroons' … [Read more...] about ‘It was a great battle’: Hawks build big lead, then hold on to beat Dowling

Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Braxton Bayless, Ankeny boys’ basketball

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Senior guard Braxton Bayless has helped the Ankeny boys' basketball team to a 7-1 record. The Hawks are undefeated in their last four games since Bayless rejoined the lineup on Dec. 17. Bayless is averaging a team-high 21.5 points and 7.3 rebounds per game. He is shooting 60.7 percent from the field (34-of-56) and 37.5 percent from 3-point range … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Braxton Bayless, Ankeny boys’ basketball

Jag-Hawk basketball doubleheader rescheduled for Jan. 20

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The Jag-Hawk basketball doubleheader that was supposed to be played on Friday at Ankeny Centennial has been rescheduled for Monday, Jan. 20. The girls' game will be played at 5:30 p.m., with the boys' contest to follow at 7. The Centennial teams will now host three games in a five-day span next week. The Jaguars will host a non-conference game against Des … [Read more...] about Jag-Hawk basketball doubleheader rescheduled for Jan. 20

A big week ahead for CIML Central Conference basketball teams

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Mother Nature wreaked havoc on the high school basketball schedule Friday, forcing all of the teams in the CIML Central Conference to try to reschedule their games. However, the Jag-Hawk doubleheader that was supposed to be played at Ankeny Centennial has yet to be rescheduled. Dowling Catholic and Urbandale played their games on Saturday at Urbandale. … [Read more...] about A big week ahead for CIML Central Conference basketball teams

Here’s what to look for in the Jag-Hawk basketball games

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(EDITOR'S NOTE: Tonight's games have been postponed due to the weather. Make-up date to be determined.) The Jag-Hawk basketball rivalry resumes on Friday night at Ankeny Centennial, where two good matchups are on tap. Here are some things to look for in both games: GIRLS--Ankeny (0-3, 5-5) at 10th-ranked Centennial (1-2, 6-4) * Can the Hawkettes … [Read more...] about Here’s what to look for in the Jag-Hawk basketball games

Hawks hold Class 4A scoring leader to 11 points in victory at Ottumwa

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A long road trip to Ottumwa provided a huge challenge for the Ankeny boys' basketball team on Tuesday. Waiting for the Hawks' arrival was junior forward Trae Swartz, the Class 4A scoring leader with an average of 25 points per game. "He's really good," said Ankeny coach Brandt Carlson. "He can shoot the 3-pointer, and he can post up. They run … [Read more...] about Hawks hold Class 4A scoring leader to 11 points in victory at Ottumwa

Ankeny boys allow just 7 baskets, romp to 64-22 win over Little Cyclones

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The Ankeny boys' basketball team put on a defensive clinic for its home fans on Friday. The Hawks limited Ames to just 19.4 percent shooting from the field and rolled to a 64-22 victory. It was the fewest points allowed by an Ankeny team since a 59-20 win over Ottumwa during the 2012-13 season. "Our defense was great. We really did some nice things," … [Read more...] about Ankeny boys allow just 7 baskets, romp to 64-22 win over Little Cyclones

Some early observations from the high school basketball season

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Is it too early to make some observations about what has transpired in the first month of the high school basketball season? It could be, but that's not going to stop Ankeny Fanatic from doing just that. Here are some random thoughts from what I've seen thus far on the hardcourts in the CIML: * The Ankeny Centennial boys' team is a legitimate … [Read more...] about Some early observations from the high school basketball season

Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Jordan Kumm, Ankeny boys’ basketball

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Senior guard Jordan Kumm has helped the Ankeny boys' basketball team to a 5-1 record. He is averaging 12.5 points and 3.5 rebounds per game, and he is tied for the team lead in steals with 10. Kumm scored four points on Friday as the Hawks posted a 64-50 victory at Urbandale. His basket in the second quarter stopped an 8-0 run by the J-Hawks and ignited … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Jordan Kumm, Ankeny boys’ basketball

Hawks turn up defensive pressure, pull away for 64-50 win at Urbandale

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Friday's game wasn't about the X's and the O's for the Ankeny boys' basketball team. It had more to do with effort and teamwork. "That game was really about us competing as a team," senior guard Jaxon Smith said after the Hawks posted a 64-50 victory at Urbandale. "Just getting everyone involved, and it was fun playing with everybody." Braxton … [Read more...] about Hawks turn up defensive pressure, pull away for 64-50 win at Urbandale

‘We’re glad to have him back’: Bayless returns to lineup, leads Hawks to win

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Braxton Bayless watched from the bench as the Ankeny boys' basketball team got off to a 3-1 start this season. The Hawks' top returning scorer and rebounder sat out the first four games after violating the school's good conduct policy. "It was real hard and very tough to watch my brothers battle without me," said Bayless. The senior point guard made … [Read more...] about ‘We’re glad to have him back’: Bayless returns to lineup, leads Hawks to win

Blimpie Sub of the Week: Braden Simonsen, Ankeny boys’ basketball

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Sophomore Braden Simonsen has helped the Ankeny boys' basketball team to a 4-1 record. He is averaging 2.0 points and 2.2 rebounds per game. Simonsen scored six points in the Hawks' 57-43 victory over visiting Fort Dodge on Dec. 6. He had three points and three rebounds in his team's 62-60 overtime win at Des Moines Lincoln on Dec. 10. "Braden has … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Braden Simonsen, Ankeny boys’ basketball

Maroons make 25-of-34 free throws, hand Ankeny boys their first loss

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Friday's CIML Central Conference opener between the Ankeny and Dowling Catholic boys' basketball teams turned into a free-throw shooting contest. The two squads combined for 64 free-throw attempts, including 35 in the fourth quarter alone. Four Ankeny players fouled out in the final period as the Hawks tried to rally on their home court, but Dowling held … [Read more...] about Maroons make 25-of-34 free throws, hand Ankeny boys their first loss

Hawks outlast Lincoln in OT as Smith hits tying, game-winning free throws

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Jaxon Smith stood at the charity stripe with a chance to give his undefeated Ankeny boys' basketball team another hard-fought victory. The senior guard calmly delivered. Smith made two free throws in the final seconds of overtime as the Hawks posted a 62-60 win at Des Moines Lincoln on Tuesday. He finished with 25 points. "I was sure I could make … [Read more...] about Hawks outlast Lincoln in OT as Smith hits tying, game-winning free throws