Ankeny Fanatic

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Boys' Basketball

Hawks drop opener at Waukee despite Johnson’s career-high 35 points

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Carson Johnson is poised to have a big senior season for the Ankeny boys' basketball team. Whether or not that translates into a huge campaign for the Hawks remains to be seen. Johnson poured in a career-high 35 points on Tuesday, but it wasn't enough as Ankeny dropped an 83-73 decision at Waukee in a CIML Conference game. It was the season opener for … [Read more...] about Hawks drop opener at Waukee despite Johnson’s career-high 35 points

Senior trio of Aguirre, Johnson, Schoolen to lead way for Ankeny boys’ squad

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Even though the Ankeny boys' basketball team struggled to a 9-15 record last year, head coach Brandt Carlson didn't view it as a disappointing season. "I guess if we view every season through the lens of wins and losses, then last year wasn't ideal," he said. "But I believe that last year our players moved our program forward and handled a lot of … [Read more...] about Senior trio of Aguirre, Johnson, Schoolen to lead way for Ankeny boys’ squad

Ankeny point guard Johnson to play for Minnesota State University Moorhead

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Ankeny senior point guard Carson Johnson has verbally committed to play basketball at Minnesota State University Moorhead. Johnson announced his decision on social media Tuesday. "I am excited to announce that I will further my academic and basketball career at Minnesota State University Moorhead!" he wrote. "Thank you to my family for the endless … [Read more...] about Ankeny point guard Johnson to play for Minnesota State University Moorhead

‘The coaches really made me feel wanted’: Wehde to play for Central

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Ankeny senior Karson Wehde is hoping to get back on the basketball court later this month. At least now he knows where he'll be playing next season. Wehde has verbally committed to play for Central College. He announced his decision via Twitter on Wednesday. "I am blessed to announce my commitment to further my academic and basketball career at … [Read more...] about ‘The coaches really made me feel wanted’: Wehde to play for Central

Winkel named to Class 4A first team, while Johnson earns 2nd-team honors

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Ankeny Centennial's Luke Winkel enjoyed a breakout season on the basketball court. His counterpart at Ankeny, Carson Johnson, spent much of the campaign trying to regain his form after undergoing knee surgery in the offseason. Both junior point guards have been rewarded for their efforts by earning all-state honors from the Iowa Print Sports Writers … [Read more...] about Winkel named to Class 4A first team, while Johnson earns 2nd-team honors

Ankeny’s Johnson, Centennial’s Winkel named to CIML Conference first team

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Standout junior guards Carson Johnson of Ankeny and Luke Winkel of Ankeny Centennial have been named to the CIML Conference first team by a vote of the league's boys' basketball coaches. Winkel, who led the Jaguars to a 16-8 record and a trip to the Class 4A state tournament, was a unanimous pick. He averaged a team-high 16.8 points, 4.9 assists and 1.5 … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Johnson, Centennial’s Winkel named to CIML Conference first team

A TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE: Fontana visits with pair of Ankeny legends

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Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball coach Bob Fontana has been busy preparing his team for this week's Class 4A state tournament, but he still took some time on Sunday to visit Barney Alleman and Keith Hildreth, two former Ankeny players who played in three consecutive state tournaments in 1948-50. A third former player, Vern Herring, was unable to make it. … [Read more...] about A TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE: Fontana visits with pair of Ankeny legends

‘My hat’s off to Ames’: Little Cyclones end Ankeny’s season with huge 2nd half

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The first half of Friday's game at Ames could not have gone much better for the Ankeny boys' basketball team. Unfortunately, the second half could not have gone any worse. After building a 39-26 halftime lead, the Hawks were outscored in the final two periods, 46-12, and dropped a 72-51 decision in a Class 4A substate semifinal. They finished an … [Read more...] about ‘My hat’s off to Ames’: Little Cyclones end Ankeny’s season with huge 2nd half

‘It’s what we needed’: Aguirre scores 27, leads Hawks to lopsided substate win

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With an 8-14 record, the Ankeny boys' basketball team didn't win enough games to earn a first-round bye in postseason play. That was just fine with junior Lio Aguirre. Aguirre poured in 27 points to lead the Hawks to a 76-52 victory over visiting Ottumwa in a Class 4A substate quarterfinal on Monday. The Bulldogs, who had won their previous two games … [Read more...] about ‘It’s what we needed’: Aguirre scores 27, leads Hawks to lopsided substate win

Hawks keep Henderson in check, close out regular season with win over Hoover

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Ankeny point guard Carson Johnson was looking forward to Tuesday's matchup against visiting Des Moines Hoover and Montana recruit Chase Henderson. Henderson entered the non-conference game with 42 3-point goals and was averaging nearly 21 points a contest. "He's a good player," Johnson said. "We knew we had to help a lot on him and just try to take … [Read more...] about Hawks keep Henderson in check, close out regular season with win over Hoover

Substate pairings announced: Jaguars earn No. 1 seed; Hawks to host Ottumwa

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The Class 4A substate boys' basketball pairings have been announced by the Iowa High School Athletic Association. Eighth-ranked Ankeny Centennial (14-6) received a No. 1 seed in Substate 2, while Ankeny (7-14) earned a No. 3 seed in Substate 6. The Jaguars will host a substate semifinal on Feb. 24 at 7 p.m. They will play the winner of a quarterfinal … [Read more...] about Substate pairings announced: Jaguars earn No. 1 seed; Hawks to host Ottumwa

Hawks end losing skid with victory over Linn-Mar behind Johnson, Aguirre

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The Ankeny boys' basketball team got a much-needed victory on Saturday. The Hawks snapped a five-game losing skid with a 69-65 win over Linn-Mar (Marion) in a non-conference game at Valley. "It was a good win for the guys after a tough loss Friday night (to Valley)," said Ankeny coach Brandt Carlson, whose team improved to 7-14 on the season. Ankeny … [Read more...] about Hawks end losing skid with victory over Linn-Mar behind Johnson, Aguirre

Ankeny boys fall to No. 4 Valley, will try to rebound Saturday against Linn-Mar

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The Ankeny boys' basketball team won't have much time to dwell on Friday's loss to visiting Valley. The Hawks will be right back on the court Saturday at Valley to face Linn-Mar (Marion) (7-10) in a non-conference game. Tip-off is at 2:30 p.m. "They've got a good young team," Ankeny coach Brandt Carlson said of the Lions. "It'll be a good challenge for … [Read more...] about Ankeny boys fall to No. 4 Valley, will try to rebound Saturday against Linn-Mar

J-Hawks spoil Ankeny boys’ Senior Night as Hawks’ offense fizzles in 2nd half

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It's been an up-and-down season for the Ankeny boys' basketball team. After winning three straight games in mid-January, the Hawks have now lost four in a row following Tuesday's 59-46 setback to visiting Urbandale. The J-Hawks improved to 2-13 in the CIML Conference and 7-13 overall, while Ankeny's records dropped to 4-11 and 6-13. Both of Urbandale's … [Read more...] about J-Hawks spoil Ankeny boys’ Senior Night as Hawks’ offense fizzles in 2nd half

A COMEBACK FOR THE AGES: Jaguars rally from 25 down to edge Ankeny boys

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A noticeable number of fans left the Ankeny Centennial gym on Friday after the Ankeny boys' basketball team built a commanding 37-14 halftime lead over the eighth-ranked Jaguars. Those fans missed quite the finish. After Ankeny's Maddox Ward scored the first basket of the third quarter to extend the margin to 25 points, Centennial responded with an … [Read more...] about A COMEBACK FOR THE AGES: Jaguars rally from 25 down to edge Ankeny boys

Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for the Jag-Hawk basketball rematches

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Round 2 of the Jag-Hawk basketball showdowns will be held on Friday at Centennial, where the Jaguars will try to complete a sweep of both the boys' and girls' series for the third time in four seasons and for the fourth time ever. Centennial dominated both of the games at Ankeny back in December, resulting in a 19-point win for the boys and a deceiving … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for the Jag-Hawk basketball rematches

‘We played them pretty tough’: Hawks show progress in 66-55 loss at No. 3 NW

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For nearly three quarters on Friday night, the Ankeny boys' basketball team threatened to knock off the state's No. 3 squad for the second time in two weeks. The Hawks, who posted a 56-51 upset over Waukee on Jan. 13, battled host Waukee Northwest to a 41-41 tie about 5 minutes into the second half. But the Wolves then closed the third quarter with an 8-2 … [Read more...] about ‘We played them pretty tough’: Hawks show progress in 66-55 loss at No. 3 NW

Hawks struggle in loss to Dowling after leading scorer Johnson injures ankle

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A challenging season for the Ankeny boys' basketball team may have gotten even more challenging on Tuesday. Junior guard Carson Johnson, the Hawks' leading scorer, suffered an ankle injury during his team's 61-49 loss to visiting Dowling Catholic. The Maroons avenged a 74-65 loss to Ankeny last month. "We struggled offensively," said Ankeny coach … [Read more...] about Hawks struggle in loss to Dowling after leading scorer Johnson injures ankle