Ankeny Fanatic

Your Ankeny Sports Resource

Boys' Basketball

‘I just think we executed better’: Aguirre, Hawks rally past Centennial in 2nd half

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The Ankeny boys' basketball team didn't panic when it fell behind at halftime, 28-23, against its visiting archrival on Friday. The Hawks knew there was still plenty of time to make a comeback. Rio Aguirre scored 16 of his 22 points in the second half and Ankeny dominated the final 16 minutes of the game to post a 58-48 victory over Ankeny … [Read more...] about ‘I just think we executed better’: Aguirre, Hawks rally past Centennial in 2nd half

Aguirre pours in 30 points, but Valley uses late run to seal 76-65 victory in opener

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(Story by Stephen McDaniel) There’s nothing like opening up the season with a bang, and the Ankeny boys' basketball team had just that. Powered by a career-high 30-point outing from junior guard Rio Aguirre, the new-look Hawks went out on the road and nearly knocked off two-time reigning Class 4A state champion Valley, but were outlasted in the home … [Read more...] about Aguirre pours in 30 points, but Valley uses late run to seal 76-65 victory in opener

‘We have a competitive group of guys’: Hawks seek to continue winning tradition

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A year ago, then-sophomore Rio Aguirre proved to be a solid third scoring option for the Ankeny boys' basketball team. Now, following the graduation of his brother Lio and all-state guard Carson Johnson, Aguirre will likely become the Hawks' go-to player. "I think Rio understands his role and the importance of having great teammates," said Ankeny coach … [Read more...] about ‘We have a competitive group of guys’: Hawks seek to continue winning tradition

Aguirre, Vaske earn academic all-state boys’ basketball honors from IBCA

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Seniors Lio Aguirre of Ankeny and Nick Vaske of Ankeny Centennial have been named to the academic all-state boys' basketball team by the Iowa Basketball Coaches Association. The 23-player team was selected by an IBCA panel from more than 136 applicants. The 2024 squad has the following averages: An ACT composite score of 26.5, a scoring average of 16.9 … [Read more...] about Aguirre, Vaske earn academic all-state boys’ basketball honors from IBCA

Winkel, Johnson earn first-team all-state honors in Class 4A from IPSWA

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Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball standout Luke Winkel has been named to the Class 4A all-state first team by the Iowa Print Sports Writers Association for the second straight year. Winkel was joined on the first team by Ankeny star Carson Johnson, who was a second-team pick a year ago. Both players surpassed the 1,000-point career mark this … [Read more...] about Winkel, Johnson earn first-team all-state honors in Class 4A from IPSWA

Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Cade Pederson, Ankeny boys’ basketball

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Senior forward Cade Pederson helped the Ankeny boys' basketball team to an 18-7 record and a trip to the Class 4A semifinals. He averaged 4.8 points and 5.5 rebounds per game while leading the Hawks with 23 blocks. Pederson had eight points and eight rebounds in Ankeny's 60-47 win over Dubuque Senior in the Class 4A quarterfinals on Wednesday at Wells … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Cade Pederson, Ankeny boys’ basketball

Johnson, Winkel are repeat selections to CIML Conference first team

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Senior guards Carson Johnson of Ankeny and Luke Winkel of Ankeny Centennial were both repeat selections to the CIML Conference first team by a vote of the league's boys' basketball coaches. They were both unanimous picks. Johnson led the Hawks to an 18-7 record and a trip to the Class 4A semifinals. He was the second-leading scorer in Class 4A with an … [Read more...] about Johnson, Winkel are repeat selections to CIML Conference first team

Cougars contain Johnson with trapping defense, advance to Class 4A title game

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Cedar Rapids Kennedy boys' basketball coach Jon McKowen refused to let Ankeny's Carson Johnson beat his team. The strategy proved to be effective. The top-ranked Cougars used a trapping defense to hold Johnson to nine points on 4-of-13 shooting and posted a 63-51 victory in the Class 4A semifinals on Thursday at Wells Fargo Arena. "We press every … [Read more...] about Cougars contain Johnson with trapping defense, advance to Class 4A title game

‘I was really proud of our fight’: Hawks’ rally falls short against C.R. Kennedy

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The Ankeny boys' basketball team closed out the season on Thursday with a 63-51 loss to top-ranked Cedar Rapids Kennedy in the Class 4A semifinals at Wells Fargo Arena. The loss ended an eight-game winning streak for the Hawks, who finished with an 18-7 record. "I was really proud of our fight. I thought we won the last three quarters ultimately, but … [Read more...] about ‘I was really proud of our fight’: Hawks’ rally falls short against C.R. Kennedy

An all-CIML final? Here are Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for 4A semifinals

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And now we're down to the Final Four. There wasn't much drama in the Class 4A quarterfinals on Wednesday at Wells Fargo Arena, where the four games were decided by an average of 12.5 points. The last two games ended up with single-digit margins, but Valley and Bettendorf both held on to win after once leading by 15 and 19 points, respectively. So … [Read more...] about An all-CIML final? Here are Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for 4A semifinals

‘This is just the first one’: Hawks top Dub. Senior, will face No. 1 C.R. Kennedy next

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Carson Johnson still remembers the feeling he had walking off the court two years ago after his Ankeny boys' basketball team lost to Johnston in the Class 4A quarterfinals. "Losing here my sophomore year, it sucked," Johnson said. "We just wanted to get back here and get a win for so long. Seeing all that hard work pay off is just great." Johnson … [Read more...] about ‘This is just the first one’: Hawks top Dub. Senior, will face No. 1 C.R. Kennedy next

State tourney preview: Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for Class 4A quarterfinals

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Last week, the Johnston girls' basketball team cruised to the Class 5A championship in Des Moines, capping off a second perfect season in the last three years and winning its third state title in five seasons. Now, it's the boys' turn to take over Wells Fargo Arena. This week, another top-ranked team will try to complete an undefeated campaign in the … [Read more...] about State tourney preview: Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for Class 4A quarterfinals

Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Rio Aguirre, Ankeny boys’ basketball

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Sophomore guard Rio Aguirre has helped the eighth-ranked Ankeny boys' basketball team to a 17-6 record. The Hawks will take a seven-game winning streak into this week's state tournament at Wells Fargo Arena. Aguirre had 10 points, five rebounds and three assists in Ankeny's 64-41 victory over No. 10 Ankeny Centennial in a Class 4A substate final on … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Rio Aguirre, Ankeny boys’ basketball

‘We’ve worked all year for this’: Hawks top crosstown rival, earn trip to 4A tourney

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Ankeny senior Carson Johnson was determined to end his high school career at the boys' state basketball tournament. His teammates played a huge role in helping him get back to Wells Fargo Arena. Lio Aguirre scored a game-high 22 points, Cash Schoolen had all eight of his points in the first few minutes, and the eighth-ranked Hawks cruised to a 64-41 … [Read more...] about ‘We’ve worked all year for this’: Hawks top crosstown rival, earn trip to 4A tourney

Hawks knock off Centennial in substate final, will face Dubuque Senior at state

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Lio Aguirre made five 3-point goals and scored 22 points, Carson Johnson added 17, and the eighth-ranked Ankeny boys' basketball team pulled away in the second half for a 64-41 victory over No. 10 Ankeny Centennial in a Class 4A substate final on Tuesday at Southeast Polk. The Hawks (17-6) advanced to the state tournament for the third time in five years. … [Read more...] about Hawks knock off Centennial in substate final, will face Dubuque Senior at state

Jag-Hawk III: Breaking down showdown for trip to Class 4A state tournament

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A trip to the boys' Class 4A state basketball tournament will be at stake on Tuesday when Ankeny's crosstown rivals meet in the postseason for the first time ever. The Hawks and Jaguars will take the court at Southeast Polk at 7 p.m. for the Substate 8 final. Both teams are looking to advance to Wells Fargo Arena for the third time in five … [Read more...] about Jag-Hawk III: Breaking down showdown for trip to Class 4A state tournament

Johnson, Hawks cruise past Iowa City Liberty, setting up crosstown showdown

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(Story by Gabe Ploeger) The crowd was loud and the stakes were high as the eighth-ranked Ankeny boys' basketball team hosted Iowa City Liberty in a Class 4A substate semifinal on Friday. Liberty had won five of its last six games and was looking to continue that hot streak and move closer to the state tournament, but Carson Johnson and the Hawks had … [Read more...] about Johnson, Hawks cruise past Iowa City Liberty, setting up crosstown showdown