Ankeny Fanatic

Your Ankeny Sports Resource

Boys' Basketball

‘It’s definitely a morale booster’: Aguirre makes 15 FTs, leads Hawks past Johnston

by

(Story by Stephen McDaniel) Everybody loves a dramatic finish to a basketball game. So when Rio Aguirre missed out on the chance to ice Friday's boys' game at Johnston with two missed free throws while holding a three-point lead, the Ankeny junior chalked it up to a little bit of accidental showmanship. Eighth-ranked Johnston had under 10 seconds to … [Read more...] about ‘It’s definitely a morale booster’: Aguirre makes 15 FTs, leads Hawks past Johnston

Hawks contain Jacobson, but Waukee thrives from deep to earn 7th straight win

by

Waukee showed on Tuesday why it's one of the state's hottest boys' basketball teams. The seventh-ranked Warriors didn't need a big night from junior post player Evan Jacobson in order to extend their winning streak to seven games. Jacobson was held to seven points in a CIML Conference contest at Ankeny, but Waukee made 11-of-21 3-point shots and had … [Read more...] about Hawks contain Jacobson, but Waukee thrives from deep to earn 7th straight win

No. 2 Valley boys use 12-0 run in 4th quarter to thwart Hawks’ upset bid

by

(Story by Stephen McDaniel) For three and a half quarters, it felt like the Ankeny boys' basketball team had second-ranked Valley on the ropes and on the verge of a major victory. But a 12-0 run and one too many trips to the free-throw line for Valley helped the Tigers escape out of Ankeny with a 64-60 win on Friday. “We played really hard and … [Read more...] about No. 2 Valley boys use 12-0 run in 4th quarter to thwart Hawks’ upset bid

Hawks use big run to rally past Centennial boys, take 13-12 lead in all-time series

by

The Ankeny boys' basketball players didn't panic when their crosstown rival surged to a five-point lead in the first half of Tuesday's game at Ankeny Centennial. The Hawks had been in this position before. Ankeny rallied from a five-point halftime deficit to beat the Jaguars a month ago, and the Hawks used a similar rally on Tuesday to pull away for a … [Read more...] about Hawks use big run to rally past Centennial boys, take 13-12 lead in all-time series

Hawks knock off Linn-Mar at CIML/MVC Crossover event, will face Centennial next

by

For the second year in a row, the Ankeny boys' basketball team played in the CIML/MVC Crossover event and came away with an impressive victory. The Hawks broke away from a tie in the fourth quarter to defeat Linn-Mar (Marion), 61-55, on Saturday at the Alliant Energy Powerhouse in Cedar Rapids. "It's a good venue and a fun environment," said Ankeny … [Read more...] about Hawks knock off Linn-Mar at CIML/MVC Crossover event, will face Centennial next

Johnson shines in collegiate debut for MSUM, will face Winkel later this season

by

Carson Johnson's collegiate debut on the hardwood proved to be a memorable one. The former Ankeny basketball standout poured in 22 points on Saturday to lead sixth-ranked Minnesota State Moorhead to a 90-64 victory over Minnesota-Crookston. The freshman guard was inserted into the starting lineup and played a team-high 31 minutes, going 8-of-16 from the … [Read more...] about Johnson shines in collegiate debut for MSUM, will face Winkel later this season

‘They’re really good’: Unbeaten Tigers pull away for 67-53 victory over Ankeny boys

by

Ankeny boys' basketball coach Brandt Carlson was impressed by what he saw of Cedar Falls while preparing for Thursday's non-conference game. The visiting Tigers were just as impressive in person. "They're really good," Carlson said after his team dropped a 67-53 decision. "They look great on film, and live they were just as good." Anthony Galvin … [Read more...] about ‘They’re really good’: Unbeaten Tigers pull away for 67-53 victory over Ankeny boys

‘We just had some guys make plays’: Hawks outlast S.E. Polk boys in double OT

by

There are no easy wins in the Central Iowa Metropolitan League. The Ankeny boys' basketball team had to play an extra 8 minutes on Tuesday to earn its second conference victory of the season. The visiting Hawks scored the final six points of the game over the last 20 seconds to outlast Southeast Polk, 74-68, in double overtime. They improved to 2-3 in … [Read more...] about ‘We just had some guys make plays’: Hawks outlast S.E. Polk boys in double OT

Jacobson records double-double, leads Waukee boys to 56-42 victory over Hawks

by

(Story by Stephen McDaniel) While the Ankeny boys' basketball team struggled to get its shots to consistently fall, an Evan Jacobson-led Waukee squad was able to build up its lead. Ankeny looked to even its record going into Friday night, but shot just 31.5 percent from the field and 16.7 percent from 3-point range (5-of-30) as the Hawks suffered a … [Read more...] about Jacobson records double-double, leads Waukee boys to 56-42 victory over Hawks

‘That’s a tough formula to win’: Hawks shoot 4-of-19 inside arc, fall to Johnston

by

(Story by Stephen McDaniel) They might’ve been down, but at no point did the Ankeny boys' basketball players ever feel they were out of it. The Hawks clawed their way back from several deficits during Tuesday's matchup against unbeaten Johnston, but just couldn’t get over the hump as they dropped to 1-2 on the season with a 59-49 home … [Read more...] about ‘That’s a tough formula to win’: Hawks shoot 4-of-19 inside arc, fall to Johnston

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Luke Anderson, Ankeny boys’ basketball

by

Senior guard Luke Anderson scored all seven of his points in the second half as the Ankeny boys' basketball team rallied to beat visiting Ankeny Centennial, 58-48, on Friday. His 3-point goal with 6 minutes 4 seconds left broke a 41-41 tie and put the Hawks ahead for good. Anderson is averaging 8.5 points and 2.0 assists per game. He had 10 points in the … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Luke Anderson, Ankeny boys’ basketball

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

by

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

by

(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

by

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

by

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