Ankeny Fanatic

Your Ankeny Sports Resource

Boys' Basketball

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

by

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

by

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

by

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

by

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

by

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

by

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

by

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

Ankeny boys rebound from loss to Jaguars, rely on defense to beat Valley

by

There wasn't much time for the Ankeny boys' basketball team to prepare for Tuesday's game against visiting Valley. Still stinging from Monday's loss at sixth-ranked Ankeny Centennial, the No. 9 Hawks bounced back with a hard-fought 55-45 victory that improved their record to 10-2. Valley dropped to 7-5. "It was just a grind-it-out win for us," said … [Read more...] about Ankeny boys rebound from loss to Jaguars, rely on defense to beat Valley

DOUBLE TROUBLE: McCullough, Johnson lead Jaguars past Ankeny boys

by

A dynamic duo emerged for the Ankeny boys' basketball team on Monday. Ankeny Centennial's twin towers were just a little bit better. Post players Cody McCullough and Micah Johnson combined for 46 points and 33 rebounds against Ankeny's undersized squad to lead the sixth-ranked Jaguars to a 69-61 victory at Centennial. The No. 9 Hawks had won the last … [Read more...] about DOUBLE TROUBLE: McCullough, Johnson lead Jaguars past Ankeny boys

Centennial boys top Ankeny, take sole possession of Central Conference lead

by

The sixth-ranked Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team moved into sole possession of first place in the CIML Central Conference with a 69-61 victory over No. 9 Ankeny on Monday at Centennial. Centennial entered the game tied atop the league standings with Ankeny and No. 10 Dowling Catholic. But the Jaguars received some help from Ames, which posted a … [Read more...] about Centennial boys top Ankeny, take sole possession of Central Conference lead

‘We’re just really proud of these guys’: Hawks stun Johnston with huge rally

by

It's been a memorable season thus far for the Ankeny boys' basketball team. Nobody knows what lies ahead, but it's going to be difficult for the Hawks to top the last 72 hours. Just two days after knocking off seventh-ranked Dowling Catholic, Ankeny hit the road again on Thursday and rallied from a 19-point deficit in the second half to post an 80-74 … [Read more...] about ‘We’re just really proud of these guys’: Hawks stun Johnston with huge rally

Hawks move into tie for first place in CIML Central Conference

by

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

by

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

by

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

by

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

by

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

by

(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