This time, the Johnston boys' basketball team didn't blow a big lead. The Dragons, who let a 16-point cushion in the fourth quarter slip away in a 65-64 loss at fifth-ranked Indianola on Saturday, bounced back with a 63-50 victory over visiting Ankeny on Tuesday. They opened the second half with a 24-5 run to build a 54-29 advantage, then cruised to the … [Read more...] about Johnston boys pull away with 24-5 run in 3rd quarter, defeat Hawks for 2nd time
Boys' Basketball
Urbandale boys rally to force OT, then hold off Hawks to end losing streak
After Jamison Patton swished a 3-pointer from the left corner midway through the third quarter of Friday's game at Urbandale, he slapped the hand of Ankeny boys' basketball coach Brandt Carlson on his way back up the court. Patton's trey gave his team a 32-23 lead, and it appeared that the Hawks were on the verge of ending their three-game losing … [Read more...] about Urbandale boys rally to force OT, then hold off Hawks to end losing streak
Aguirre scores career-high 28 points, but Ankeny boys tumble to No. 5 Valley
Despite a career-high 28 points from Lio Aguirre, the Ankeny boys' basketball team dropped a 70-58 decision at fifth-ranked Valley on Tuesday. The Tigers pulled away in the second half for their fourth straight victory. They improved to 5-2 in the CIML Conference and 6-2 overall, while Ankeny's records dropped to 2-5 and 3-7. The Hawks have lost three … [Read more...] about Aguirre scores career-high 28 points, but Ankeny boys tumble to No. 5 Valley
Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for the Jag-Hawk basketball showdowns
The Jag-Hawk basketball rivalry will resume on Tuesday night at Ankeny, where all four teams will be looking to build some momentum heading into the holiday break. While the girls' all-time series has been dominated by Centennial, the boys' series has been a back-and-forth affair that is now tied at nine wins apiece. Both the Hawks and Jaguars have won as … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for the Jag-Hawk basketball showdowns
Hawks finish brutal 4-game stretch in 6 days with 70-52 loss to No. 6 S.C. East
A brutal four-game stretch for the Ankeny boys' basketball team ended on Saturday with a 70-52 loss to sixth-ranked Sioux City East in the Arena Basketball Invitational Showcase at the Tyson Events Center. The Hawks started the week with home losses to No. 7 Indianola on Monday and No. 1 Waukee Northwest on Tuesday, then rebounded with a win at Dowling … [Read more...] about Hawks finish brutal 4-game stretch in 6 days with 70-52 loss to No. 6 S.C. East
Ankeny boys get much-needed road win before taking trip to Sioux City
Just three nights after being held to 29 points, the Ankeny boys' basketball team erupted for a season-high offensive output in a 74-65 victory on Friday at Dowling Catholic. The Hawks pulled away in the second half to improve their records to 2-3 in the CIML Conference and 3-4 overall. Dowling, which had won two of its last three games after being blown … [Read more...] about Ankeny boys get much-needed road win before taking trip to Sioux City
‘It was a rough night’: Ankeny boys score just 29 points in loss to No. 1 Wolves
It's time for the Ankeny boys' basketball team to regroup. After losing to Indianola on Monday, the Hawks suffered another defeat on their home court Tuesday, dropping a 60-29 decision to top-ranked Waukee Northwest in a CIML Conference game. While the Wolves shot 55.3 percent from the field (26-of-47), Ankeny struggled mightily to score all night. The … [Read more...] about ‘It was a rough night’: Ankeny boys score just 29 points in loss to No. 1 Wolves
Ex-Ankeny player Drea leads No. 7 Indianola to 62-55 victory over Hawks
A former teammate earned some revenge against the Ankeny boys' basketball squad on Monday. Brayden Drea, who started all 20 games for the Hawks as a sophomore two years ago, scored 21 points to lead visiting Indianola to a 62-55 victory in a non-conference game. The Indians, who are tied for seventh in the Class 4A rankings with three other teams, avenged … [Read more...] about Ex-Ankeny player Drea leads No. 7 Indianola to 62-55 victory over Hawks
Ankeny boys pull away in 2nd half, hand defending champions their 1st loss
The Harrison Barnes Gym at Ames' new high school could become a tough place to play for opposing basketball teams. That wasn't the case on Friday for the Ankeny boys' squad. The visiting Hawks pulled away in the second half for a 64-50 victory over Ames in a non-conference game. The defending Class 4A state champion Little Cyclones (2-1) suffered their … [Read more...] about Ankeny boys pull away in 2nd half, hand defending champions their 1st loss
‘We needed that for the team mojo’: Akers, Hawks pull away from S.E. Polk
The Ankeny boys' basketball team got a much-needed win on Tuesday. The Hawks pulled away in the second half to defeat visiting Southeast Polk, 57-40, for their first victory of the season. They improved to 1-2 in the CIML Conference, while the Rams' records dropped to 0-2 in the league and 0-3 overall. "Anytime you start the season and you get your … [Read more...] about ‘We needed that for the team mojo’: Akers, Hawks pull away from S.E. Polk
‘We just couldn’t get the lid off the rim’: Hawks struggle late in loss to Johnston
Brandt Carlson isn't too concerned about his team's 0-2 start. The Ankeny boys' basketball coach knows that the Hawks will continue to improve. "We're getting better in some ways, but it's just not showing up in the win column," said Carlson. "But I like our team." The Hawks dropped a 61-45 decision to visiting Johnston in a CIML Conference game on … [Read more...] about ‘We just couldn’t get the lid off the rim’: Hawks struggle late in loss to Johnston
‘It was just a tough matchup’: Waukee tops Ankeny boys in Biliew’s return
Omaha Biliew's celebrated return to the Iowa high school basketball scene came at the expense of the Ankeny boys' squad. The Hawks opened their season on Tuesday with a 75-51 loss at Waukee, the preseason No. 1 team in Class 4A. Biliew, who helped the Warriors to a state title as a sophomore before spending last season at a Missouri prep school, is … [Read more...] about ‘It was just a tough matchup’: Waukee tops Ankeny boys in Biliew’s return
Despite loss of key players, Ankeny boys ‘believe in the tradition of our program’
The depth on the Ankeny boys' basketball team has taken a severe hit before the season has even tipped off. The Hawks have lost four varsity-level competitors in JJ Kohl, Alex Aguirre, Karson Wehde and Joel Mpore to either injury or early college enrollment, according to Ankeny coach Brandt Carlson. "Although not ideal, I believe in the tradition of … [Read more...] about Despite loss of key players, Ankeny boys ‘believe in the tradition of our program’
‘What I liked was just the overall vibe’: Ankeny’s Aguirre to play for Morningside
Ankeny senior Alex Aguirre has verbally committed to play basketball next year at Morningside University. Aguirre said he picked the Mustangs after looking at other schools such as Briar Cliff, DMACC, Iowa Lakes, Central College and Upper Iowa. "What I liked about Morningside was just the overall vibe that I got as soon as I stepped on campus," said … [Read more...] about ‘What I liked was just the overall vibe’: Ankeny’s Aguirre to play for Morningside
Ankeny senior Wehde suffers broken leg, will miss entire boys’ basketball season
The Ankeny boys' basketball team will be missing one of its top players this winter. Senior wing Karson Wehde has suffered a season-ending injury before the Hawks even started practicing. "On Thursday night at open gym I broke the tibia and fibula in my leg," said Wehde. "I had surgery Friday morning, and I'll be out for the whole season." Wehde … [Read more...] about Ankeny senior Wehde suffers broken leg, will miss entire boys’ basketball season
Aguirre, Crandall, Johnson named to all-substate boys’ basketball team
Ankeny players Lio Aguirre, Ryan Crandall and Carson Johnson have been named to the Class 4A Substate 1 boys' basketball team. The trio helped the Hawks to a 19-5 record and a trip to the state tournament this season. Crandall, a senior forward, averaged a team-high 11.8 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 2.2 steals per game. He was earlier selected to … [Read more...] about Aguirre, Crandall, Johnson named to all-substate boys’ basketball team
RARE AIR: Ankeny senior Crandall earns all-state honors in 3rd different sport
Ankeny senior Ryan Crandall has joined an exclusive club. The boys' basketball standout has been named to the Class 4A all-state third team by the Iowa Print Sports Writers Association. He previously earned all-state honors in both football and baseball, becoming a rare Ankeny athlete to be recognized in all three sports. Crandall, a forward, led the … [Read more...] about RARE AIR: Ankeny senior Crandall earns all-state honors in 3rd different sport
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Maddox Ward, Ankeny boys’ basketball
Junior guard Maddox Ward helped the Ankeny boys' basketball team to a 19-5 record this season. He was one of the Hawks' top reserves, playing in 23 of the 24 games. Ward averaged 2.7 points and 1.7 assists per game. He had six points, four rebounds, three assists and two steals in Ankeny's 55-53 loss to Johnston in the quarterfinals of the Class 4A state … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Maddox Ward, Ankeny boys’ basketball
Ankeny’s Crandall, Centennial’s Kelling named to Iowa Conference first team
Boys' basketball standouts Ryan Crandall of Ankeny and Caden Kelling of Ankeny Centennial have been named to the CIML Iowa Conference first team by a vote of the league's coaches. Crandall, a senior forward, led the Hawks to a 19-5 record and a trip to the Class 4A state tournament. He averaged a team-high 11.8 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 2.2 … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Crandall, Centennial’s Kelling named to Iowa Conference first team
‘That won us the game’: Johnston’s free throws end Ankeny boys’ season at 19-5
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