Ankeny Fanatic

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Boys' Basketball

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

‘I had to come out and prove it’: Smith leads Hawks past Fort Dodge

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Ankeny's Jaxon Smith battled some foul trouble during the Hawks' season-opening victory at Des Moines North on Tuesday. The senior guard also dealt with some other issues. "The first game was hard for me. I probably acted in ways I shouldn't have acted," said Smith. "Coach (Brandt Carlson) got on me, and I just wanted to show him that I'm for this team … [Read more...] about ‘I had to come out and prove it’: Smith leads Hawks past Fort Dodge

Kumm’s career night leads Hawks to season-opening win over North

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The Ankeny boys' basketball team needed somebody to step up on Tuesday night. Senior guard Jordan Kumm accepted the challenge. Kumm poured in a career-high 29 points to lead the Hawks to a 60-57 victory at Des Moines North in their season opener. His previous high of 20 points came in a win over Des Moines Lincoln last season. Ankeny overcame the … [Read more...] about Kumm’s career night leads Hawks to season-opening win over North

Ankeny boys’ up-tempo attack to be fueled by trio of senior guards

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Perhaps no boys' basketball team in the state returns as much experience in the backcourt as Ankeny does with the trio of senior guards in Braxton Bayless, Jordan Kumm and Jaxon Smith. Those three players combined for more than 36 points per game a year ago while leading an up-tempo attack that helped the Hawks to a 13-8 record. Ankeny coach Brandt … [Read more...] about Ankeny boys’ up-tempo attack to be fueled by trio of senior guards

Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Caleb Grizzle, ACA boys’ basketball

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Senior center Caleb Grizzle led the Ankeny Christian Academy boys' basketball team to a 23-1 record. He had 15 points, nine rebounds, seven blocks and four assists as the Eagles ended their season with a 58-56 loss to Council Bluffs St. Albert in a Class 1A substate final on Feb. 25 at Adel. The 6-foot-7 Grizzle averaged a team-high 17.0 points, 8.3 … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Caleb Grizzle, ACA boys’ basketball

Ankeny duo named to all-conference first team along with McCullough

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The CIML Central Conference boys' basketball first team includes a trio of players from Ankeny. Senior guard Dillon Carlson and junior guard Braxton Bayless of Ankeny were both named to the team along with junior forward Cody McCullough of Ankeny Centennial. The all-conference teams were selected by the league's coaches. Bayless led the Hawks to a 13-8 … [Read more...] about Ankeny duo named to all-conference first team along with McCullough

Blimpie Sub of the Week: Drake Bennett, Ankeny boys’ basketball

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Drake Bennett is a member of the Ankeny boys' basketball team. The senior forward helped Ankeny to a 13-8 record, including a 5-5 mark in the CIML Central Conference. The Hawks ended their season with a 68-64 loss to visiting Des Moines Roosevelt in a Class 4A substate quarterfinal on Monday. Bennett averaged 2.0 points and 1.7 rebounds per game. He … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Drake Bennett, Ankeny boys’ basketball

Late rally falls short; Hawks end season with loss to Roosevelt

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Every time the Ankeny boys' basketball team suffered a loss this season, head coach Brant Carlson was hoping that it would be a learning lesson for the Hawks. When Ankeny closed out the regular season on Friday with a 71-68 loss at Mason City, Carlson was again hoping that his team could bounce back with the start of postseason play three days … [Read more...] about Late rally falls short; Hawks end season with loss to Roosevelt

Postseason play begins tonight at home for Hawks, Jaguars

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If the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball teams want to experience some March Madness, they'll first have to pull off some upsets in February. Both squads will begin postseason play on Monday at home, but the Hawks and Jaguars will then likely have to defeat two higher-seeded teams to qualify for the state tournament, which will be held on … [Read more...] about Postseason play begins tonight at home for Hawks, Jaguars

Hawks stumble to 71-68 loss at Mason City in regular-season finale

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Fortunately for the Ankeny boys' basketball team, Friday's game at Mason City was essentially meaningless. The Hawks dropped a 71-68 decision in their regular-season finale, giving them a couple of days to prepare for Monday's Class 4A substate quarterfinal against visiting Des Moines Roosevelt. "It wasn't fun at all, but what do you do?" said … [Read more...] about Hawks stumble to 71-68 loss at Mason City in regular-season finale

Ankeny boys roll past Scarlets, score their most points in 11 years

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The Ankeny boys' basketball team appears to be peaking at the right time. The Hawks had a pair of 29-point quarters and rolled to a 97-66 victory over visiting Des Moines East on Tuesday. It was the most points by an Ankeny squad since 2008, when the Hawks scored 102 in a substate game--also against the Scarlets. "We had some guys make some plays," … [Read more...] about Ankeny boys roll past Scarlets, score their most points in 11 years

Hawks topple Johnston on Carlson’s late FTs, give Ames share of league title

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The percentages were in Dillon Carlson's favor. The senior guard made two free throws with 2.2 seconds left to give the Ankeny boys' basketball team a 59-57 victory over visiting Johnston on Friday. "I can't miss two in a row," said Carlson, an 84.6 percent free-throw shooter who had missed his previous attempt just moments earlier. "I was still … [Read more...] about Hawks topple Johnston on Carlson’s late FTs, give Ames share of league title

Ankeny boys bounce back with huge win over reeling Huskies

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Tuesday's game against visiting Des Moines Hoover was an important one for the Ankeny boys' basketball team for a variety of reasons. The Hawks were hoping to bounce back from Friday's loss to Dowling Catholic and build some momentum for postseason play. A win would also strengthen Ankeny's argument for a higher seed in Class 4A substate play when the … [Read more...] about Ankeny boys bounce back with huge win over reeling Huskies

Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Dillon Carlson, Ankeny boys’ basketball

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Senior guard Dillon Carlson has helped the Ankeny boys' basketball team to a 10-6 record, including a 4-5 mark in the CIML Central Conference. He scored 12 points in the Hawks' 65-57 loss to visiting Dowling Catholic on Friday. Carlson is averaging 12.9 points per game. He leads the Hawks with 29 3-point goals, shooting 33.7 percent from behind the … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Dillon Carlson, Ankeny boys’ basketball

Dowling sweeps season series against Hawks, makes argument for No. 3 seed

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The Ankeny boys' basketball team was hoping to earn a No. 2 seed in Class 4A Substate 7. Friday's loss to visiting Dowling Catholic could drop the Hawks down to a No. 4 seed instead. The visiting Maroons swept the season series against Ankeny with a 65-57 victory. They will also finish ahead of the Hawks in the CIML Central Conference, giving coach … [Read more...] about Dowling sweeps season series against Hawks, makes argument for No. 3 seed

Johnston clinches outright girls’ title, earns at least share of boys’ crown

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One of the CIML Central Conference basketball trophies is headed to Johnston High School. Another one could be headed there soon. The third-ranked Johnston girls' team clinched the outright conference championship with a 46-27 victory over No. 9 Ankeny Centennial on Friday at Johnston. The Dragons avenged their only league loss with a strong defensive … [Read more...] about Johnston clinches outright girls’ title, earns at least share of boys’ crown