Ankeny Fanatic

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Boys' Basketball

Hawks’ confidence grows with impressive road victory over Dowling Catholic

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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

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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

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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

Hawks keep it close for awhile before No. 2 Waukee pulls away in 2nd half

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The Ankeny boys' basketball team proved on Tuesday night that it can play on the same court with second-ranked Waukee. For awhile, anyway. The Hawks outscored Waukee in the second quarter, 13-5, to pull within 28-20 at halftime. The visiting Warriors then used a 19-0 run in the third quarter to pull away for a 65-37 victory in a non-conference … [Read more...] about Hawks keep it close for awhile before No. 2 Waukee pulls away in 2nd half

Blimpie Sub of the Week: JJ Kohl, Ankeny boys’ basketball

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Sophomore JJ Kohl is a member of the Ankeny boys' basketball team. He has helped the Hawks to a 4-4 record. Kohl scored seven points on Tuesday in Ankeny's 65-37 loss to visiting Waukee, the No. 2 team in Class 4A. He had 20 points and 19 rebounds in the Hawks' 71-61 victory over visiting Mason City on Jan. 12. Kohl is averaging 9.1 points and 6.3 … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: JJ Kohl, Ankeny boys’ basketball

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Matt Stueckradt, Ankeny boys’ basketball

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Senior guard Matt Stueckradt has helped the Ankeny boys' basketball team to a 4-3 record. He has started four of the seven games. Stueckradt is averaging 3.0 points and 1.3 assists per game. He scored five points in the Hawks' 71-61 victory over visiting Mason City on Tuesday. Here is some inside info on Stueckradt: How is the season going thus … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Matt Stueckradt, Ankeny boys’ basketball

Kohl dominates inside, leads Ankeny boys past Mohawks, into 2nd place

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It has taken awhile for JJ Kohl to find his role on the Ankeny boys' basketball team. If the Ankeny Centennial transfer continues to play like he did on Tuesday, he could become the Hawks' go-to player. Kohl scored a career-high 20 points and grabbed 19 rebounds to lead Ankeny to a 71-61 victory over visiting Mason City. He went 8-for-11 from the … [Read more...] about Kohl dominates inside, leads Ankeny boys past Mohawks, into 2nd place

Stueckradt sticks to Marshalltown’s leading scorer, helps Hawks to victory

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Ankeny guard Matt Stueckradt scored only three points during Friday's boys' basketball game against visiting Marshalltown. His impact on the game came at the other end of the floor. Stueckradt held Marshalltown's leading scorer without a point in the first half as Ankeny built a 22-17 lead, and the Hawks eventually held on for a 49-44 victory in the … [Read more...] about Stueckradt sticks to Marshalltown’s leading scorer, helps Hawks to victory

‘I was a little nervous’: Assistant coach Lamaak guides Jaguars past rival

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Ben Lamaak felt a little uneasy heading into Tuesday's game against the Ankeny boys' basketball team. The play of his Ankeny Centennial squad calmed his nerves. Lamaak, a longtime assistant coach, took over the team due to the absence of head coach Bob Fontana and guided the third-ranked Jaguars to a 71-56 victory in a CIML Iowa Conference game at … [Read more...] about ‘I was a little nervous’: Assistant coach Lamaak guides Jaguars past rival

Potent Waukee boys shut down Hawks in rematch of last year’s Class 4A title game

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The Waukee boys' basketball team that lost to Ankeny in last year's Class 4A championship game was a loaded squad with at least two Division I recruits. Now, the Warriors are even better. The addition of Dowling Catholic transfer Omaha Biliew, one of the nation's top prospects in the Class of 2023, has made Waukee the prohibitive favorite to capture … [Read more...] about Potent Waukee boys shut down Hawks in rematch of last year’s Class 4A title game

Ankeny boys romp past Fort Dodge as 4 players score in double figures

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Bouncing back from its first loss of the season, the Ankeny boys' basketball team romped to an 80-48 victory over visiting Fort Dodge on Friday. The ninth-ranked Hawks, who had lost at Pella on Tuesday, improved to 2-0 in the CIML Iowa Conference and 2-1 overall. The Dodgers dropped to 0-3 on the season, with all three losses coming against league … [Read more...] about Ankeny boys romp past Fort Dodge as 4 players score in double figures

Pella boys make 13 3-pointers, hand Hawks their first loss of the season

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Scoring points hasn't been an issue for the Ankeny boys' basketball team in its first two games. Stopping its opponent, though, was a little bit of a problem on Tuesday. The visiting Hawks suffered their first loss as Pella made 13-of-23 3-point shots and remained unbeaten with a 68-64 victory in a non-conference game. "We're scoring about what we … [Read more...] about Pella boys make 13 3-pointers, hand Hawks their first loss of the season

‘I knew I had to get in the lane’: Simonsen draws charge to seal Hawks’ victory

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As a defensive lineman on the Ankeny football team, Braden Simonsen did a lot of the dirty work in the trenches to help the Hawks to the Class 4A state title. On Friday, Simonsen showed that he can do the dirty work on the basketball court, too. The junior post player stepped in front of Mason City's Cory Miner and drew a charging foul with 2 seconds … [Read more...] about ‘I knew I had to get in the lane’: Simonsen draws charge to seal Hawks’ victory

Defending champions boast high hopes despite heavy losses to graduation

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Ankeny boys' basketball coach Brandt Carlson was thrilled to see the Ankeny football team claim a state championship earlier this month, even if it meant two of his top returning players wouldn't be able to practice for awhile. "I am extremely happy for coach (Rick) Nelson, the staff and team in capturing the 2020 state championship in football," Carlson … [Read more...] about Defending champions boast high hopes despite heavy losses to graduation

Ankeny basketball star Bayless to play for juco power Indian Hills

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Ankeny basketball standout Braxton Bayless has verbally committed to play for juco powerhouse Indian Hills Community College in Ottumwa. Bayless announced his decision via Twitter last week. "100% Committed #JucoProduct #Bigger Plans," he tweeted. Bayless averaged 22.9 points and 6.6 rebounds per game while leading the Hawks to a 21-5 record and the … [Read more...] about Ankeny basketball star Bayless to play for juco power Indian Hills

Ex-Hawk Smith to play basketball at Central College

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Former Ankeny basketball player Jalen Smith has found a new home in Pella. Smith, a 6-foot-2 guard, has decided to play for Central College after sitting out the 2019-20 season. "It was difficult at first, but I was trying to find a home closer to (Ankeny)," Smith said. "I was really looking hard at Simpson and Central. It was a hard decision, but I … [Read more...] about Ex-Hawk Smith to play basketball at Central College

Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Cade Davis, Ankeny boys’ tennis

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Senior Cade Davis is the top returning player for the Ankeny boys' tennis team. The Wartburg recruit was the squad's No. 1 singles player as a junior, helping the Hawks to a 3-9 record. Davis was also a member of the Ankeny boys' basketball team. The Hawks captured the Class 4A state title last month. Here is some inside info on Davis: We've had … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Cade Davis, Ankeny boys’ tennis

‘I think we played in a similar way’: Ex-AHS great Sears compares Hawks’ title teams

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When the Ankeny boys' basketball team went on its magical postseason run earlier this month, perhaps nobody enjoyed it more than former Ankeny great Ryan Sears. Sears, who has lived in Omaha for the last five years, watched from afar as the Hawks captured the second state title in school history. "The way they came out and played (in the Class 4A … [Read more...] about ‘I think we played in a similar way’: Ex-AHS great Sears compares Hawks’ title teams