Ankeny Fanatic

Your Ankeny Sports Resource

Boys' Basketball

‘It was a great team win’: Hawks knock off Northwest, will host No. 1 Ames next

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This time, the Ankeny boys' basketball team didn't let a second-half lead slip away against Waukee Northwest. The eighth-ranked Hawks stayed alive in the race for the CIML Iowa Conference title with a 74-63 victory at No. 3 Northwest on Friday. The win was Ankeny's eighth in a row and avenged an earlier 57-50 loss to the Wolves. "It was a great team … [Read more...] about ‘It was a great team win’: Hawks knock off Northwest, will host No. 1 Ames next

Surging Hawks improve to 11-2 heading into showdown at Waukee Northwest

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The Ankeny boys' basketball team never trailed Tuesday en route to a 77-66 victory over visiting Dowling Catholic in a non-conference game. The eighth-ranked Hawks shot 55.3 percent from the field (26-of-47) while raising their record to 11-2. Dowling, which was coming off a 41-36 loss at No. 1 Ames on Saturday, dropped to 4-9. "It was a good win," … [Read more...] about Surging Hawks improve to 11-2 heading into showdown at Waukee Northwest

‘We were fortunate to win’: Hawks rally from double-digit deficit to beat Bobcats

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Some road trips in the CIML Iowa Conference are tougher than others. Friday's trip to Marshalltown turned out to be a dogfight for the Ankeny boys' basketball team. The eighth-ranked Hawks overcame a double-digit deficit in the first half and a 30-point effort by Marshalltown's Armonniey Thomas to post a 71-65 victory, extending their winning streak to … [Read more...] about ‘We were fortunate to win’: Hawks rally from double-digit deficit to beat Bobcats

Crandall’s dunk seals victory at Waukee; Hawks extend winning streak to 5 games

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The Ankeny boys' basketball team was clinging to a 52-45 lead in the fourth quarter of Tuesday's non-conference game at Waukee when Carson Johnson launched a 3-pointer for the Hawks from the top of the key. The shot bounced off the front of the rim and then hit the backboard, giving Waukee a chance to grab the rebound and perhaps cut its seven-point … [Read more...] about Crandall’s dunk seals victory at Waukee; Hawks extend winning streak to 5 games

Ankeny boys snap 4-game losing skid against Centennial behind ex-Jaguars

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A year ago, Lio Aguirre helped the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team to a pair of victories over its crosstown rival. On Tuesday, the sophomore forward returned to the Centennial gym and played a key role as Ankeny posted a 58-48 win over the Jaguars. He had a double-double with 15 points and 12 rebounds. "It was pretty exciting for me honestly," … [Read more...] about Ankeny boys snap 4-game losing skid against Centennial behind ex-Jaguars

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

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Ever since the split into two high schools, the rivalry between the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball teams has somewhat overshadowed the battle between the two girls' squads. Centennial owns a 9-7 lead in the boys' series, but the two teams have played several close games in the history of the rivalry. In 2015, Ankeny's Conor Riordan made a … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for the Jag-Hawk basketball showdowns

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Karson Wehde, Ankeny boys’ basketball

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Junior guard Karson Wehde has helped the Ankeny boys' basketball team to a 7-2 record. He is averaging 6.2 points and 2.6 rebounds per game. Wehde is shooting 25.0 percent from 3-point range (9-of-36) and 80.8 percent from the free-throw line (21-of-26). He is also one of the Hawks' top defenders. Here is some inside info on Wehde: How is the season … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Karson Wehde, Ankeny boys’ basketball

Ankeny boys romp past Scarlets as Alex Aguirre pours in career-high 24 points

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It's been an impressive week for the Ankeny boys' basketball team. The Hawks rolled to their third consecutive double-digit victory with an 82-55 win at Des Moines East in a non-conference game on Saturday. "It feels good to finish the week 3-0," said Ankeny coach Brandt Carlson. "Once we got our rhythm, I felt like our guys played well. We were able … [Read more...] about Ankeny boys romp past Scarlets as Alex Aguirre pours in career-high 24 points

‘He nearly had a triple-double’: Crandall leads Hawks to win at Mason City

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Ryan Crandall and the Ankeny boys' basketball team picked up a road victory on Friday as the Hawks defeated Mason City, 70-56, in a CIML Iowa Conference game. Crandall scored 16 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in the win. "He nearly had a triple-double," said Ankeny coach Brandt Carlson. "He had a bunch of assists, too." Lio Aguirre had 13 points for … [Read more...] about ‘He nearly had a triple-double’: Crandall leads Hawks to win at Mason City

After 18-day layoff, Ankeny boys pull away in 2nd half to defeat Fort Dodge

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The Ankeny boys' basketball players had to wait 18 days to get back on the court after dropping a 57-50 decision to fourth-ranked Waukee Northwest on Dec. 17. The layoff may have been a little too long. The Hawks shook off some rust and pulled away in the second half to defeat visiting Fort Dodge, 64-46, on Tuesday. The Dodgers' previous four losses … [Read more...] about After 18-day layoff, Ankeny boys pull away in 2nd half to defeat Fort Dodge

Rematch against Northwest begins big week for Centennial basketball teams

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The race for the CIML Iowa Conference basketball titles will resume this week with some big matchups, highlighted by Tuesday's rematch between host Ankeny Centennial and Waukee Northwest. Prior to the holiday break, Northwest swept a doubleheader against the visiting Jaguars on Dec. 21. The 10th-ranked Wolves posted a 45-39 victory over No. 5 Centennial … [Read more...] about Rematch against Northwest begins big week for Centennial basketball teams

THE PRYCE IS RIGHT: Sandfort leads late rally as Northwest boys surge past AHS

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The Ankeny boys' basketball team has already faced two of the state's best players in Tamin Lipsey of Ames and Eli Raridon of Valley. The Hawks faced another one on Friday in Waukee Northwest's Pryce Sandfort. Sandfort racked up 30 points, 13 rebounds and eight blocks to lead the ninth-ranked Wolves to a 57-50 road victory in a CIML Iowa Conference … [Read more...] about THE PRYCE IS RIGHT: Sandfort leads late rally as Northwest boys surge past AHS

BALANCED ATTACK: 5 Ankeny players score in double figures in win over Rails

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There was no letdown for the Ankeny boys' basketball team following an emotional victory on Monday. The Hawks had five players in double figures and defeated visiting Des Moines Lincoln, 79-56, in a non-conference game on Tuesday. They improved to 4-1 on the season with their fourth straight win, while the Railsplitters dropped to 2-3. "I was proud of … [Read more...] about BALANCED ATTACK: 5 Ankeny players score in double figures in win over Rails

Hawks shut down former teammate Drea, Indianola for 72-60 road victory

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Indianola guard Brayden Drea was excited to play against his former teammates on Monday night. The Ankeny boys' basketball players relished that same opportunity. Lio Aguirre scored 20 points, Carson Johnson added 19, and the Hawks led from start to finish in a 72-60 victory at Indianola in a non-conference game. "It was fun," said Ankeny guard Ryan … [Read more...] about Hawks shut down former teammate Drea, Indianola for 72-60 road victory

Hawks jump out to big lead, then hold off Marshalltown’s rallies for 65-53 victory

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When the Ankeny boys' basketball team jumped out to a 17-1 lead against visiting Marshalltown on Friday, it appeared that the game would be a rout. But the Bobcats didn't go down without a fight. Marshalltown closed the gap to just three points on three different occasions before the Hawks pulled away for a 65-53 victory in the CIML Iowa Conference … [Read more...] about Hawks jump out to big lead, then hold off Marshalltown’s rallies for 65-53 victory

‘It was a hard-fought win’: Hawks overcome Valley, Raridon for first victory

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A few weeks ago, the Ankeny football team defeated Valley in the Class 5A semifinals to earn the right to play for a state championship. On Tuesday, the Hawks waged another epic battle against their CIML rival--this time on the basketball court. Ryan Crandall, who had a team-high 6.5 tackles in Ankeny's win over the Tigers at the UNI-Dome, scored 19 … [Read more...] about ‘It was a hard-fought win’: Hawks overcome Valley, Raridon for first victory

Ankeny boys battle Little Cyclones down to the wire before Lipsey takes over

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The Ankeny boys' basketball program doesn't play for moral victories. But if ever a game qualified as one, Friday's season-opening loss at Ames would probably be it. The Little Cyclones, one of the favorites to win the Class 4A state title, held off a furious Ankeny rally in the second half to post a 54-44 victory in a CIML Iowa Conference game. "It … [Read more...] about Ankeny boys battle Little Cyclones down to the wire before Lipsey takes over