Ankeny Fanatic

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Boys' Basketball

‘That won us the game’: Johnston’s free throws end Ankeny boys’ season at 19-5

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Ankeny's JJ Kohl grabbed the rebound in the lane and put the ball back in the hoop as time expired. It was a meaningless basket in the grand scheme of things, because it didn't prevent third-seeded Johnston from advancing to the Class 4A semifinals of the boys' state basketball tournament. But it showed what the sixth-seeded Hawks are all … [Read more...] about ‘That won us the game’: Johnston’s free throws end Ankeny boys’ season at 19-5

THE END OF THE ROAD: Hawks fall to Johnston in Class 4A quarterfinals

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Steven Kramer scored 12 of his 19 points in the fourth quarter and third-seeded Johnston rallied to beat sixth-seeded Ankeny, 55-53, in the Class 4A quarterfinals of the boys' state basketball tournament on Wednesday at Wells Fargo Arena. Kramer made a 3-point goal with 5 minutes 15 seconds left to put his team ahead for good, 45-44, in a seesaw affair … [Read more...] about THE END OF THE ROAD: Hawks fall to Johnston in Class 4A quarterfinals

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

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When the Class 4A state tournament tips off on Wednesday at Wells Fargo Arena, a lot of eyes will be focused on standout point guard Tamin Lipsey of Ames. The top-ranked Little Cyclones were a prohibitive favorite to capture the Class 4A crown before Lipsey suffered a hamstring injury during a win at Marshalltown on Feb. 1. The Iowa State recruit then sat … [Read more...] about State tourney preview: Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for the Class 4A quarterfinals

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Braden Simonsen, Ankeny boys’ basketball

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Senior post player Braden Simonsen has helped the ninth-ranked Ankeny boys' basketball team to a 19-4 record and a berth in this week's Class 4A state tournament. He had four points, five rebounds and two blocks as the Hawks defeated Waukee, 62-57, in a substate final on Tuesday at Dallas Center-Grimes. Simonsen is averaging 6.3 points and 3.9 rebounds … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Braden Simonsen, Ankeny boys’ basketball

‘It was a grind’: Ankeny boys top Warriors, will play Johnston in 4A quarterfinals

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A year ago, the Waukee boys' basketball team ended Ankeny's bid for a second consecutive Class 4A state title with a 74-54 victory in a substate final. On Tuesday at Dallas Center-Grimes, the ninth-ranked Hawks returned the favor. Ankeny pulled away in the third quarter and then held on to beat the defending state champion Warriors, 62-57, in a … [Read more...] about ‘It was a grind’: Ankeny boys top Warriors, will play Johnston in 4A quarterfinals

‘It feels so good’: Hawks hold off Waukee, advance to state tourney for 17th time

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The Ankeny boys' basketball team is headed to the state tournament for the 17th time. The ninth-ranked Hawks posted a 62-57 victory over Waukee in a Class 4A substate final on Tuesday at Dallas Center-Grimes. The game featured 13 lead changes. "It feels so good going back to state," said Ankeny junior Karson Wehde, whose basket early in the third … [Read more...] about ‘It feels so good’: Hawks hold off Waukee, advance to state tourney for 17th time

‘We’re excited to move on’: Hawks get off to fast start, roll past Sioux City West

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There were several upsets on Friday night in the semifinal round of the boys' Class 4A substate basketball tournaments. Ninth-ranked Ankeny refused to be one of the victims. The Hawks jumped out to a 24-7 lead in the first quarter and went on to defeat visiting Sioux City West, 83-48, in a Substate 1 matchup. "You've really got to establish who you … [Read more...] about ‘We’re excited to move on’: Hawks get off to fast start, roll past Sioux City West

Johnson returns to lineup, Kohl shines as Hawks top North to end regular season

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The Ankeny boys' basketball team wanted to keep its momentum going heading into postseason play. The ninth-ranked Hawks accomplished their goal with a 70-50 victory over visiting Des Moines North in a non-conference game on Friday. "I think tonight's win was very important for our team heading into the playoffs," said junior post player JJ Kohl. "It's … [Read more...] about Johnson returns to lineup, Kohl shines as Hawks top North to end regular season

‘I think we adjusted well’: AHS boys use bigger lineup without Johnson, top Rams

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The absence of its starting point guard didn't seem to bother the Ankeny boys' basketball team. The ninth-ranked Hawks placed four players in double figures and defeated visiting Southeast Polk, 68-55, in a non-conference game on Tuesday. Ankeny played without sophomore Carson Johnson, who injured his knee during Friday's overtime victory against … [Read more...] about ‘I think we adjusted well’: AHS boys use bigger lineup without Johnson, top Rams

‘I know I can hit that shot’: Aguirre’s OT buzzer-beater lifts Ankeny past Jaguars

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Ankeny's Lio Aguirre hadn't make a basket all night. He couldn't have picked a better time to sink his only shot. Aguirre made a jumper at the buzzer to give the sixth-ranked Hawks an 81-79 overtime victory against visiting Ankeny Centennial on Friday. The sophomore forward had missed a shot in the waning seconds of Tuesday's game at Des Moines Hoover, … [Read more...] about ‘I know I can hit that shot’: Aguirre’s OT buzzer-beater lifts Ankeny past Jaguars

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

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A month ago, the Jag-Hawk basketball doubleheader produced a pair of games that weren't as close as many people expected them to be. The Ankeny Centennial girls' team built an 11-point halftime lead and cruised to a 57-37 victory over the Hawkettes. Then, in the boys' game, Ankeny allowed just 10 points in the first half and rolled to a 58-48 win over the … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for the Jag-Hawk rematches on basketball court

‘It was the craziest deal’: Hoover stuns Hawks on Imani’s OT buzzer-beater

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An unlikely hero emerged for the Des Moines Hoover boys' basketball team on Tuesday. Senior Justin Imani, a 5-foot 7 guard, scored the winning basket at the buzzer to give the host Huskies a 53-51 overtime victory against sixth-ranked Ankeny in a non-conference game. The Hawks (14-4) lost to an unranked opponent for the first time. Their other losses … [Read more...] about ‘It was the craziest deal’: Hoover stuns Hawks on Imani’s OT buzzer-beater

‘We’re moving in the right direction’: AHS boys rout Mason City, improve to 14-3

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When the Ankeny boys' basketball team posted a 70-56 win at Mason City on Jan. 7, the Hawks didn't pull away until the fourth quarter. Friday's rematch between the two squads at Ankeny was decided well before then. The sixth-ranked Hawks held a 37-21 lead at halftime, then outscored Mason City in the third quarter, 24-10, to build a 61-31 advantage. … [Read more...] about ‘We’re moving in the right direction’: AHS boys rout Mason City, improve to 14-3

Hawks pull away in 2nd half, defeat Fort Dodge by 18-point margin for 2nd time

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The Ankeny boys' basketball team didn't have any time to dwell on Monday's loss to top-ranked Ames. The No. 6 Hawks traveled to Fort Dodge on Tuesday for another CIML Iowa Conference game and posted a 69-51 victory, defeating the Dodgers by an 18-point margin for the second time this season. "It was nice to win after a tough Monday night game," said … [Read more...] about Hawks pull away in 2nd half, defeat Fort Dodge by 18-point margin for 2nd time

‘They’re the best team in the state’: Ames boys snap Hawks’ 8-game winning streak

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The Ankeny boys' basketball team made a huge statement with Friday's win at third-ranked Waukee Northwest. No. 1 Ames made one of its own on Monday. The Little Cyclones jumped out to a 13-0 lead and cruised to a 69-50 victory at No. 8 Ankeny, snapping the Hawks' eight-game winning streak. "They were definitely ready, and we just didn't have an … [Read more...] about ‘They’re the best team in the state’: Ames boys snap Hawks’ 8-game winning streak

Hawks, Jaguars could see familiar opponents in Class 4A substate play

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The Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball teams could see some familiar opponents in substate play. The Iowa High School Athletic Association announced its postseason assignments on Friday. The eighth-ranked Hawks (12-2) have been placed in Class 4A Substate 1, while the Jaguars (9-6) have been placed in Substate 2. Ankeny will be joined in … [Read more...] about Hawks, Jaguars could see familiar opponents in Class 4A substate play