Ankeny's Jaron Crews didn't panic as the final seconds ticked off the clock during Thursday's boys' basketball game against visiting Urbandale. The sophomore forward had practiced similar situations just 24 hours earlier. Crews made a 3-point goal from the top of the key with 1.8 seconds left--his only basket of the game--to give the Hawks a 45-42 … [Read more...] about Crews beats the buzzer; Hawks escape with win over Urbandale
Boys' Basketball
Central Conference basketball standings
The Ankeny boys' basketball team moved into a tie for third place in the CIML Central Conference with a 45-42 victory over visiting Urbandale on Thursday. The Hawks are now 4-3 in the league and tied with Dowling Catholic, which had a chance to move into a tie for first place but dropped a 77-76 decision at Johnston. The Dragons can clinch at least a tie … [Read more...] about Central Conference basketball standings
Tigers spoil Bayless’ return to Valley behind Williams’ huge 1st quarter
Ankeny guard Braxton Bayless was fired up for his return to Valley High School on Tuesday night. Unfortunately, the host Tigers spoiled the party. Trayvon Williams poured in 24 points and Valley built a 20-point lead before holding on for a 76-67 victory over the Hawks. "I was pumped," said Bayless, who played for Valley's freshman team two years … [Read more...] about Tigers spoil Bayless’ return to Valley behind Williams’ huge 1st quarter
Revive Clinic and Spa Preps of the Week: Hoop stars Cody and Sara McCullough
Cousins Sara and Cody McCullough have grown up on the opposite sides of Ankeny's crosstown rivalry. Sara, a senior forward, is the leading scorer and rebounder for the Ankeny girls' basketball team, which dropped a 47-32 decision at Ankeny Centennial on Friday. The Northern Iowa recruit has averaged 13.8 points and 8.4 rebounds per game while helping the … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Preps of the Week: Hoop stars Cody and Sara McCullough
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 30
Check out the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by the Ankeny office of Iowa Realty. Ankeny Fanatic publisher Dan Holm breaks down Friday's Jag-Hawk basketball matchups with Ankeny Centennial post player Rachel Schon and Ankeny guard Jordan Kumm. … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 30
Hawks unleash “32 minutes of havoc” in rout over Ottumwa
Nolan Richardson's Arkansas basketball teams were famously known for their "40 minutes of hell" playing style. The Ankeny boys' basketball team is trying to develop a similar style. The Hawks unleashed their "32 minutes of havoc" on Ottumwa Tuesday at Wells Fargo Arena, where their defensive pressure forced 29 turnovers en route to a 68-33 … [Read more...] about Hawks unleash “32 minutes of havoc” in rout over Ottumwa
Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Jayce Goergen, ACA boys’ basketball
Senior guard Jayce Goergen has led the Ankeny Christian Academy boys' basketball team to a 9-0 record. The Eagles are one of 16 remaining unbeaten teams in the state. Goergen scored 10 points and had three assists in the Eagles' 62-57 victory over visiting Council Bluffs St. Albert on Saturday. He is shooting 56.3 percent from the field (54-of-96), … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Jayce Goergen, ACA boys’ basketball
Hawks’ road woes continue with 58-51 loss at Dowling Catholic
The Ankeny boys' basketball team couldn't overcome a huge disparity at the free-throw line and suffered its third consecutive road loss on Friday. The Hawks attempted just one free throw in a 58-51 loss at Dowling Catholic. The Maroons, meanwhile, went 13-of-19 at the line. "We attack the basket as hard as any team in the state, and evidently we didn't … [Read more...] about Hawks’ road woes continue with 58-51 loss at Dowling Catholic
Blimpie Sub of the Week: Reece Pitz, Ankeny boys’ basketball
Reece Pitz is one of the top reserves on the Ankeny boys' basketball team. Pitz, a senior guard, has helped the Hawks to a 6-2 record. He is averaging 2.0 points and 1.1 rebounds per game. Pitz went 4-for-4 from the field and scored nine points in Ankeny's 83-55 victory at Fort Dodge on Nov. 30. … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Reece Pitz, Ankeny boys’ basketball
Johnston’s late run spoils Hawks’ big fourth-quarter comeback
Friday's game at Johnston gave the Ankeny boys' basketball team a chance to move into a first-place tie in the CIML Central Conference. Unfortunately, the third-ranked Hawks let the opportunity slip away. The Dragons blew a nine-point lead in the fourth quarter before closing the game on a 10-2 run to post a 63-60 victory. They improved to 4-0 in the … [Read more...] about Johnston’s late run spoils Hawks’ big fourth-quarter comeback
Central Conference basketball standings
Johnston remained atop the CIML Central Conference boys' and girls' basketball standings with a pair of narrow victories over Ankeny on Friday. The second-ranked Dragons now own a two-game lead in the girls' race after extending their winning streak to nine games. No. 9 Dowling Catholic knocked off No. 13 Ames and has moved into a second-place tie with … [Read more...] about Central Conference basketball standings
Ames boys hand Hawks their first loss behind Kellogg, Lipsey
Brandt Carlson tried to look on the bright side after his Ankeny boys' basketball team suffered its first loss of the season. "I think it's a good learning experience for us, and something you just have to go through at this level of competition," Carlson said. "But we'll bounce back." The third-ranked Hawks dropped a 68-60 decision at Ames on … [Read more...] about Ames boys hand Hawks their first loss behind Kellogg, Lipsey
Hawks use late surge to top Urbandale, stay unbeaten
At some point this season, the Ankeny boys' basketball team is probably going to lose a game. For much of Friday's contest at Urbandale, it looked like the Hawks' unbeaten streak might come to an end. The Ankeny players, though, were determined to keep their perfect season alive. Dillon Carlson scored 10 of his 21 points in the fourth quarter and … [Read more...] about Hawks use late surge to top Urbandale, stay unbeaten
Hawks stay unbeaten as Southeast Polk’s upset bid falls short
Brandt Carlson's previous two trips to the Southeast Polk gym ended with a pair of three-point losses, one of them in overtime. The Ankeny boys' basketball coach felt much better following Tuesday's game at Southeast Polk, where the undefeated Hawks pulled away in the fourth quarter for a 67-57 victory. "It was just a good win on the road at a place … [Read more...] about Hawks stay unbeaten as Southeast Polk’s upset bid falls short
Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Jaxon Smith, Ankeny boys’ basketball
Junior guard Jaxon Smith scored 12 points to help the Ankeny boys' basketball team to a 58-50 victory over visiting Ankeny Centennial on Friday. The Hawks improved their record to 4-0 on the season. Smith leads the team with a 14.8 scoring average. He had a season-high 17 points in the Hawks' 83-55 win at Fort Dodge on Nov. 30. Here is some inside info … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Jaxon Smith, Ankeny boys’ basketball
VIDEO: Hawks start fast, hold off Centennial to remain unbeaten
The Ankeny boys’ basketball team jumped out to a 28-4 lead and then held off the Jaguars’ rally to post a 58-50 victory. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjnG4jAmiIE … [Read more...] about VIDEO: Hawks start fast, hold off Centennial to remain unbeaten
Jag-Hawk hoops doubleheader features pair of intriguing matchups
Here are some of the key things to look for during Friday's Jag-Hawk basketball doubleheader at Ankeny: Girls' game: No. 10 Centennial (3-2) vs. No. 13 Ankeny (4-1) The Hawkettes are riding a three-game winning streak during which they have outscored their opponents by an average of 37 points. The Jaguars, meanwhile, are coming off a 63-50 loss on … [Read more...] about Jag-Hawk hoops doubleheader features pair of intriguing matchups
Ankeny boys grind out win over Railsplitters to stay unbeaten
The Ankeny boys' basketball team proved again on Tuesday that it has a lot of different offensive weapons. The Hawks don't have to rely on Braxton Bayless or Dillon Carlson every night. Jordan Kumm poured in a career-high 20 points and Jaxon Smith added 15 to lead Ankeny to a 55-45 victory over visiting Des Moines Lincoln. The Hawks, who are ranked … [Read more...] about Ankeny boys grind out win over Railsplitters to stay unbeaten
Hawks hit 10 3-pointers, romp to victory at Fort Dodge
There was no letdown for the Ankeny boys' basketball team. Just three days after opening the season with a huge win over Des Moines North, the Hawks went on the road Friday and rolled to an 83-55 victory at Fort Dodge. They shot 57 percent from the field, including 10-of-19 from 3-point range, en route to the win. "We haven't won up at Fort Dodge since … [Read more...] about Hawks hit 10 3-pointers, romp to victory at Fort Dodge
Bayless, Ankeny boys outlast Locure, Polar Bears in thriller
The wait was worth it for Braxton Bayless. The 6-foot-1 junior guard finally made his debut for the Ankeny boys' basketball team on Tuesday, and he led the Hawks to a thrilling victory. Bayless, who sat out last season after transferring to Ankeny from Valley, scored 24 points as the Hawks opened their season with an 85-78 triumph over visiting Des … [Read more...] about Bayless, Ankeny boys outlast Locure, Polar Bears in thriller