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Boys' Basketball

‘They threw a lot of junk at us’: Hawks solve Fort Dodge’s defense in 66-46 win

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The Fort Dodge boys' basketball team tried several different defenses on Friday in an effort to slow down Ankeny star Braxton Bayless. None of them were very successful. Bayless poured in 26 points, 19 of them in the first half, to lead the Hawks to a 66-46 victory in a Class 4A substate semifinal at Ankeny. "They threw a lot of junk at us, but we … [Read more...] about ‘They threw a lot of junk at us’: Hawks solve Fort Dodge’s defense in 66-46 win

Jaguars, Hawks open substate play at home against familiar opponents

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The road to the state tournament begins on Friday night for both the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball teams. The top-ranked Jaguars (21-1) will host Des Moines Roosevelt (7-14) in a Class 4A Substate 6 semifinal, while the Hawks (16-5) will host Fort Dodge (3-19) in a Substate 1 semifinal. Both games begin at 7 p.m. Centennial enters the … [Read more...] about Jaguars, Hawks open substate play at home against familiar opponents

Ankeny boys close out regular season with 87-62 victory over Mason City

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A 59-point first half allowed the Ankeny boys' basketball team to cruise to an 87-62 victory over visiting Mason City in its regular-season finale on Friday. The Hawks jumped out to a 28-10 lead at the end of the first quarter. They extended the margin to 59-27 at halftime. "It was another good first half for our guys. They really established … [Read more...] about Ankeny boys close out regular season with 87-62 victory over Mason City

Kumm shoots his way out of slump, leads Hawks to victory over East

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Jordan Kumm broke out of a shooting slump Tuesday in a big way. That could be a good sign for the Ankeny boys' basketball team's postseason hopes. The senior guard poured in 23 points on 8-of-15 shooting to lead the Hawks to a 99-54 victory at Des Moines East. He went 5-for-11 from 3-point range. "It felt good for some shots to fall," said Kumm. … [Read more...] about Kumm shoots his way out of slump, leads Hawks to victory over East

‘Our team will learn from this’: Hawks tumble in Central Conference finale

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This time, the Ankeny boys' basketball team couldn't climb out of a huge hole against CIML Central Conference rival Johnston. The Hawks--who overcame a 19-point deficit to post an 80-74 victory at Johnston last month--fell behind in the first quarter, 22-8, during Friday's rematch at Ankeny. They eventually closed the gap to 52-45 after three periods … [Read more...] about ‘Our team will learn from this’: Hawks tumble in Central Conference finale

Centennial boys finish 9-1 in league; Dowling, Johnston girls tie for crown

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While the CIML Central Conference boys' basketball title had already been decided last week, the girls' crown came down to the final night of the regular season. Third-ranked Johnston clinched a share of the league title with a 76-38 victory on Friday at Ankeny. Kendall Nead had 24 points and five assists as the Dragons improved to 19-2 on the … [Read more...] about Centennial boys finish 9-1 in league; Dowling, Johnston girls tie for crown

Jaguars, Hawks earn No. 1 seeds in boys’ Class 4A substate pairings

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Top-ranked Ankeny Centennial and crosstown rival Ankeny have both received No. 1 seeds from the Iowa High School Athletic Association, which announced its postseason basketball pairings for Class 4A on Friday. The Jaguars (18-1) earned a first-round bye in Substate 6. They will host Des Moines Roosevelt (6-11) or Southeast Polk (11-7) in a substate … [Read more...] about Jaguars, Hawks earn No. 1 seeds in boys’ Class 4A substate pairings

Hawks overcome sluggish start to beat Hoover for 14th win of season

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In Friday's loss to top-ranked Ankeny Centennial, the Ankeny boys' basketball team got a game-high 26 points from Braxton Bayless, but none of his teammates scored more than six. On Tuesday, Bayless again led the way with 20 points, but he got some much-needed help as the Hawks posted a 65-58 victory at Des Moines Hoover in a non-conference game. Jaxon … [Read more...] about Hawks overcome sluggish start to beat Hoover for 14th win of season

No. 2 Jaguars hold off Ankeny, capture first conference crown since 2015

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Braxton Bayless wouldn't hesitate to pass the ball to Jaxon Smith again. Smith missed a potential game-winning 3-pointer in the final seconds of Friday's Jag-Hawk rematch at Ankeny, allowing the second-ranked Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team to escape with a 50-48 victory. "I'll give it to him 100 percent of the time if he's wide open like … [Read more...] about No. 2 Jaguars hold off Ankeny, capture first conference crown since 2015

‘It’s a really great feeling’: Jaguars edge Ankeny to clinch conference title

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Ankeny Centennial's Cody McCullough wasn't happy when he missed a free throw with 9 seconds left in Friday's game at Ankeny. The miss allowed the Hawks to have an opportunity to win the game on the final possession. Braxton Bayless fired a pass to Jaxon Smith in the left corner, but Smith's 3-point try bounced off the rim in the final seconds. … [Read more...] about ‘It’s a really great feeling’: Jaguars edge Ankeny to clinch conference title

Jag-Hawk II: Boys to play for league crown; Girls’ game more about pride

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A lot will be at stake on Friday when the two Ankeny boys' basketball teams meet for the second time in less than three weeks. Second-ranked Ankeny Centennial heads across town for a rematch against the Hawks, who will be looking to avenge a 69-61 loss at Centennial on Jan. 20. The Jaguars (7-1, 16-1) can clinch the outright CIML Central Conference title … [Read more...] about Jag-Hawk II: Boys to play for league crown; Girls’ game more about pride

Ankeny boys erupt for 96 points in lopsided victory over Marshalltown

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The Ankeny boys' basketball team needed a breather on Tuesday. The Hawks got one. After winning two of its previous three games in the final seconds, ninth-ranked Ankeny raced out to a 45-22 halftime lead and rolled to a 96-50 victory over visiting Marshalltown in a non-conference contest. It was the Hawks' highest offensive output of the … [Read more...] about Ankeny boys erupt for 96 points in lopsided victory over Marshalltown

Blimpie Sub of the Week: Matt Stueckradt, Ankeny boys’ basketball

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Junior guard Matt Stueckradt has helped the ninth-ranked Ankeny boys' basketball team to a 13-3 record. The Hawks rolled to a 96-50 victory over visiting Marshalltown on Tuesday. Stueckradt is averaging 2.1 points per game. He is shooting 29.4 percent from 3-point range (5-of-17). "Matt has played well off the bench," said Ankeny coach Brandt … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Matt Stueckradt, Ankeny boys’ basketball

Smith’s late 3-pointer stuns Ames, keeps Hawks in race for conference title

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For the second time in three games, the Ankeny boys' basketball team escaped with a victory on a last-second basket. Jaxon Smith drained a 3-pointer from the left corner with 2 seconds left to give the ninth-ranked Hawks a 45-42 win at Ames on Friday. Smith hit the shot after receiving a pass from Braxton Bayless, whose last-second basket gave Ankeny a … [Read more...] about Smith’s late 3-pointer stuns Ames, keeps Hawks in race for conference title

‘We were playing uphill all night’: Ankeny boys tumble to Roughriders

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Something about the Ankeny boys' basketball team brings out the best in Des Moines Roosevelt. The Roughriders--who upset Ankeny in last year's Class 4A substate tournament--knocked off the ninth-ranked Hawks again on Tuesday in a non-conference game at Roosevelt. They posted a 65-60 victory to improve to 4-8 on the season. Ankeny's record dropped to … [Read more...] about ‘We were playing uphill all night’: Ankeny boys tumble to Roughriders

‘I think he’s ready for those moments’: Bayless sinks game-winner for Hawks

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Braxton Bayless has been playing like an all-stater this season for the Ankeny boys' basketball team. The senior guard delivered once again on Friday. Bayless scored a career-high 31 points, including the game-winning basket with 2 seconds left, as the ninth-ranked Hawks posted a 65-63 victory over visiting Urbandale. He is now averaging 23.7 points … [Read more...] about ‘I think he’s ready for those moments’: Bayless sinks game-winner for Hawks

Centennial boys maintain league lead; Dowling girls take over top spot

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The race for the CIML Central Conference boys' basketball title could be turning into a two-team battle. Ankeny Centennial maintained sole possession of the league lead with a 50-29 victory over visiting Ames on Friday. Ankeny remained one game behind the Jaguars as Braxton Bayless scored the winning basket in the final seconds to give the Hawks a 65-63 … [Read more...] about Centennial boys maintain league lead; Dowling girls take over top spot