Senior forward Bentor Neyail helped the Ankeny boys' basketball team to a 10-10 record this season. He averaged 4.1 points and 3.8 rebounds per game while tying for the team lead in blocks with nine. Neyail scored a career-high 13 points in the Hawks' 66-38 victory over visiting Des Moines Hoover on Feb. 9. He had 10 points in a 68-64 loss at eventual … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Bentor Neyail, Ankeny boys’ basketball
Boys' Basketball
Crews, McAleer, Crandall named to CIML Iowa Conference first team
For the second straight year, Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball standout Jaron Crews has earned first-team all-conference honors from the coaches in the Central Iowa Metropolitan League. Crews, a senior guard, was named to the CIML Iowa Conference first team along with Centennial teammate Colin McAleer, a senior forward. Junior forward Ryan Crandall of … [Read more...] about Crews, McAleer, Crandall named to CIML Iowa Conference first team
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 128
Publisher Dan Holm talks to Ankeny volleyball standout McKenna Scheib about her verbal commitment to Bradley, breaks down the boys' state basketball tournament with Ankeny assistant coach Nate Tobey and Dowling Catholic head coach Mike O'Connor, and recaps the girls' state tournament with assistant coach Todd Schneiter of Class 5A state champion Waukee. … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 128
‘Our guys didn’t back down’: Hawks put up a fight in loss to No. 2 Waukee
When the Ankeny boys' basketball team suffered a 65-28 loss to Waukee on Dec. 21, the Hawks clearly had a long way to go to compete with one of the state's best squads. Ankeny showed some signs of progress a month later, when the Hawks trailed Waukee by just eight points at halftime before dropping a 65-37 decision. On Tuesday, the Hawks closed the gap … [Read more...] about ‘Our guys didn’t back down’: Hawks put up a fight in loss to No. 2 Waukee
Blimpie Sub of the Week: Karson Wehde, Ankeny boys’ basketball
Sophomore forward Karson Wehde helped the Ankeny boys' basketball team to a 10-10 record. He scored six points as the Hawks ended their season with a 74-54 loss to second-ranked Waukee in a Class 4A substate final on Tuesday at Indianola. Wehde averaged 3.3 points and 1.7 rebounds per game. He placed third on the team with 15 3-point goals, shooting 35.7 … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Karson Wehde, Ankeny boys’ basketball
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Ryan Crandall, Ankeny boys’ basketball
Junior forward Ryan Crandall scored nine points to help the Ankeny boys' basketball team to a 48-40 victory over visiting Norwalk in a Class 4A substate semifinal on Friday. He also had 11 rebounds, four assists and three steals. Crandall leads Ankeny in both scoring and rebounding, averaging 11.2 points and 7.4 boards. He has also racked up a team-high … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Ryan Crandall, Ankeny boys’ basketball
Ankeny boys hold off Norwalk, earn another shot against No. 2 Waukee
The Ankeny boys' basketball team was ready for the start of postseason play. The defending state champion Hawks jumped out to a 13-0 lead in the first quarter and then held off visiting Norwalk's rally in the second half to post a 48-40 victory in a Class 4A substate semifinal on Friday. "It relieved some pressure to get that early lead," said Ankeny … [Read more...] about Ankeny boys hold off Norwalk, earn another shot against No. 2 Waukee
‘This was big for us’: Crandall, Hawks roll past North in their regular-season finale
At times this season, the Ankeny boys' basketball team has struggled to find the basket. That wasn't an issue for the Hawks on Friday night. Ryan Crandall poured in 28 points on 11-of-13 shooting and Ankeny rolled to an 84-72 victory at Des Moines North in its final game of the regular season. The Hawks scored more points than they did in their … [Read more...] about ‘This was big for us’: Crandall, Hawks roll past North in their regular-season finale
‘It was kind of like we forgot how to play basketball’: Hawks drubbed by S.E. Polk
The Ankeny boys' basketball team has posted some impressive victories this season. The Hawks have also suffered some disappointing losses. Tuesday's non-conference game at Southeast Polk would fall into the latter category. After jumping out to a 21-14 lead, Ankeny went cold midway through the second quarter and never recovered. The Rams went on a … [Read more...] about ‘It was kind of like we forgot how to play basketball’: Hawks drubbed by S.E. Polk
No. 6 Ames boys extend winning streak to 8 games with victory over Hawks
The Ames boys' basketball team is one of the hottest squads in the state. The sixth-ranked Little Cyclones extended their winning streak to eight games on Friday with a 56-37 victory at Ankeny. They won the first matchup against the Hawks last month by a similar score, 55-34. "We just couldn't get any shots to fall," said Ankeny coach Brandt Carlson. … [Read more...] about No. 6 Ames boys extend winning streak to 8 games with victory over Hawks
Boys’ Class 4A substate basketball pairings announced
The boys' Class 4A substate basketball pairings have been announced by the Iowa High School Athletic Association. Eighth-ranked Ankeny Centennial (10-4) has earned a No. 1 seed in Substate 2. The Jaguars will host a semifinal game against Des Moines Lincoln (4-9) or Indianola (13-6) on Friday, Feb. 26 at 7 p.m. No. 6 Ames (12-3) will host Des Moines … [Read more...] about Boys’ Class 4A substate basketball pairings announced
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 124
Check out the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by Coldwell Banker Mid-America. Publisher Dan Holm interviews Ankeny girls' basketball coach Dru McAnelly and sophomore point guard Jenna Pitz, along with Ankeny boys' basketball coach Brandt Carlson and junior post player Braden Simonsen, and previews the boys' state swim meet with … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 124
THE HAMMER AND NEYAIL: Ankeny boys roll to 66-38 victory over Huskies
If the Ankeny boys' basketball team hopes to make another deep postseason run, then the Hawks need to start building some momentum in the next two weeks. Tuesday's non-conference game against visiting Des Moines Hoover was a huge step in the right direction. Ankeny equaled its best defensive performance of the season in romping to a 66-38 victory over … [Read more...] about THE HAMMER AND NEYAIL: Ankeny boys roll to 66-38 victory over Huskies
Hawks pull away from Roosevelt in 4th quarter, move back to .500 mark
With the Class 4A postseason pairings to be determined soon, the Ankeny boys' basketball team needs every victory it can get. Coming off a pair of losses to ranked opponents, the Hawks moved back to the .500 mark with a 53-42 win at Des Moines Roosevelt in a non-conference game on Tuesday. They evened their overall mark at 7-7. "We were solid … [Read more...] about Hawks pull away from Roosevelt in 4th quarter, move back to .500 mark
‘We didn’t finish very well’: Hawks falter down stretch in loss at No. 5 Valley
The Ankeny boys' basketball team went on some mini-runs during Monday's game at Valley. It wasn't enough to offset the fifth-ranked Tigers' longer runs. Valley used an 11-0 spurt in the first half to take a 17-7 lead, then later went on a 17-2 run in the second half to pull away for a 66-44 victory in a CIML non-conference game. "We didn't finish … [Read more...] about ‘We didn’t finish very well’: Hawks falter down stretch in loss at No. 5 Valley
Centennial boys outlast Hawks in seesaw battle, clinch share of league crown
It's a good bet that the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team will be practicing its free throws before Tuesday's game against second-ranked Waukee. The No. 4 Jaguars nearly let Friday's game at Ankeny slip away due to some poor free-throw shooting. They missed all seven of their attempts in the third quarter, which allowed the Hawks to rally from a … [Read more...] about Centennial boys outlast Hawks in seesaw battle, clinch share of league crown
4A postseason assignments announced: Hawks, Jaguars face tough draws
The road to the state tournament will be a tough one for both the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball teams. The Class 4A postseason assignments were announced on Friday by the Iowa High School Athletic Association. Fourth-ranked Centennial (9-1) has been placed in Substate No. 2, while Ankeny (6-5) has been placed in Substate No. 8. Both … [Read more...] about 4A postseason assignments announced: Hawks, Jaguars face tough draws
Hawks’ confidence grows with impressive road victory over Dowling Catholic
The Ankeny boys' basketball team won't be lacking confidence heading into Friday's showdown against fourth-ranked Ankeny Centennial. The Hawks are coming off an impressive 61-46 victory at Dowling Catholic in a non-conference game on Thursday. They raised their record to 6-5 on the season, while the Maroons dropped to 5-6. "When a young team gets … [Read more...] about Hawks’ confidence grows with impressive road victory over Dowling Catholic
Lipsey leads Little Cyclones past Ankeny boys, into tie for 2nd place
Ames guard Tamin Lipsey showed on Saturday why he's considered one of the nation's top boys' basketball players in the Class of 2022. The junior poured in a game-high 23 points to lead the host Little Cyclones past Ankeny, 55-34, in a CIML Iowa Conference game. He also had four rebounds, four assists and two steals. "He's never (out of control), and … [Read more...] about Lipsey leads Little Cyclones past Ankeny boys, into tie for 2nd place
‘Our post players played great’: Kohl, Simonsen lead Hawks to road victory
Ankeny's JJ Kohl and Braden Simonsen bring a football mentality to the basketball court. The two post players combined for 24 points and helped the Hawks to dominate the boards in a 69-38 victory on Friday at Fort Dodge. "We had 22 offensive rebounds," said Ankeny coach Brandt Carlson. "That was definitely the key to the game, and our post players … [Read more...] about ‘Our post players played great’: Kohl, Simonsen lead Hawks to road victory