Last week, Ankeny Fanatic unveiled its all-CIML girls' basketball teams. Now, it's the boys' turn. Once again, the goal was to select the top 10 players in the 18-team conference--five for the first team and five for the second. But it turned out to be an incredibly difficult task. There is just so much talent this year in the CIML. Take a look at the … [Read more...] about Strait, Carlson earn all-CIML honors from Ankeny Fanatic
Ben Lyon
Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Ben Lyon, Ankeny boys’ basketball
Ben Lyon is the Ankeny Fanatic prep of the week sponsored by Revive Clinic and Spa. The senior wing helped the Ankeny boys' basketball team to an 8-15 record this season. Lyon averaged 10.7 points and a team-high 8.2 rebounds per game. He also led the Hawks in assists (3.5) and blocks (2.2). Here is some inside info on … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Ben Lyon, Ankeny boys’ basketball
Locure scores 36 points, leads North boys to win over Hawks
If the Des Moines North boys' basketball team continues to play like it did on Friday night, the Polar Bears may have a good chance to cut down the nets in two weeks at Wells Fargo Arena. Tyreke Locure poured in 36 points to lead North to an 87-73 victory over visiting Ankeny in a Class 4A substate semifinal. The Polar Bears (20-3) will play Johnston … [Read more...] about Locure scores 36 points, leads North boys to win over Hawks
Huge road tests await Ankeny, Centennial boys
The Ankeny boys' basketball team will face a familiar opponent in a Class 4A substate semifinal on Friday. So will crosstown rival Ankeny Centennial. The fifth-seeded Hawks (8-14) will travel to Des Moines North to play the top-seeded Polar Bears (19-3) at 7 p.m. The two teams are meeting in the postseason for the third consecutive year. The … [Read more...] about Huge road tests await Ankeny, Centennial boys
Ankeny boys edge Little Cyclones in substate thriller
Overcoming adversity has become a way of life for the Ankeny boys' basketball team. The Hawks, who got off to a 1-10 start this season, avenged two of those losses with a 48-46 victory at Ames in a Class 4A substate quarterfinal on Monday. They rallied from an early 10-point deficit despite playing without sophomore forward Nolan Otten, who tripped at his … [Read more...] about Ankeny boys edge Little Cyclones in substate thriller
Hawks, Jaguars to begin postseason play with rematches
The boys' basketball postseason gets under way for the Class 4A teams on Monday night. Both Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial will face a rematch in the quarterfinal round. The third-seeded Jaguars (13-8) host sixth-seeded Des Moines Lincoln (5-17) at 7 p.m. The Railsplitters have lost 10 of their last 11 games, including a 66-52 decision at Centennial in the … [Read more...] about Hawks, Jaguars to begin postseason play with rematches
Hawks ‘run out of gas’ in loss to Dowling Catholic
In its regular-season finale, the Ankeny boys' basketball team showed just how dangerous the Hawks can be during postseason play. Visiting Dowling Catholic also demonstrated its potential to be a contender for the Class 4A state title. Ankeny made five 3-point goals while jumping out to a double-digit lead in the first half before the Maroons rallied … [Read more...] about Hawks ‘run out of gas’ in loss to Dowling Catholic
Carlson’s late 3-point goal lifts Hawks to win over Lincoln
When the Ankeny boys' basketball team needed a bucket on Tuesday night, the Hawks got the rock in the hands of Dillon Carlson. The junior sharpshooter responded to the challenge nearly every time. After scoring a basket at the end of the first and second quarters, Carlson saved his most dramatic buzzer-beater for last. He made a 3-point goal with about … [Read more...] about Carlson’s late 3-point goal lifts Hawks to win over Lincoln
Hawks knock off Waukee, prevent Warriors from clinching conference title
A week ago, the Ankeny boys' basketball team knocked Ankeny Centennial out of a first-place tie in the CIML Central Conference. On Friday, the Hawks prevented Waukee from clinching at least a tie for the league title, helping their crosstown rival in the process. Dillon Carlson scored 19 points, including four late free throws to seal the victory, as … [Read more...] about Hawks knock off Waukee, prevent Warriors from clinching conference title
Hawks blow big lead, then recover to beat Centennial despite Strait’s 32 points
The inexperienced Ankeny boys' basketball team appears to be growing up in a hurry. After blowing a 21-point lead in Friday's game at Ankeny Centennial, the Hawks made several big plays down the stretch and then held on for a 56-52 victory over their crosstown rival. The win was Ankeny's fourth in a row and avenged last month's 55-52 loss to the … [Read more...] about Hawks blow big lead, then recover to beat Centennial despite Strait’s 32 points
Ankeny teams enter Friday’s rematch at Centennial with plenty of confidence
If Friday's basketball doubleheader at Ankeny Centennial is as entertaining as last month's rivalry games at Ankeny, then fans of the Hawks and Jaguars will be in for a treat. Both the girls' and boys' games came down to the last possession on Dec. 21, when Centennial posted a pair of narrow wins. The Jaguars escaped with a 43-41 victory in the opener as … [Read more...] about Ankeny teams enter Friday’s rematch at Centennial with plenty of confidence
Ankeny boys romp to their 3rd straight victory, keep Scarlets winless
If the Ankeny boys' basketball team wants to qualify for the Class 4A state tournament, the Hawks are going to have to win three consecutive games during postseason play. Now they know they're capable of doing just that. Ankeny built a 30-17 halftime lead and rolled to a 67-51 victory at Des Moines East in a CIML non-conference game on Tuesday. It was … [Read more...] about Ankeny boys romp to their 3rd straight victory, keep Scarlets winless
Ankeny boys roll past Rams for their second straight victory
After ending an eight-game losing skid, the Ankeny boys' basketball team is suddenly on a winning streak. The Hawks earned their second straight victory on Friday by defeating visiting Southeast Polk, 66-52, in a CIML Central Conference game. It was the first league win for Ankeny, which avenged an earlier overtime loss to the Rams. "It was fun," said … [Read more...] about Ankeny boys roll past Rams for their second straight victory
Little Cyclones edge Ankeny boys again on Evans’ late free throws
It was a case of deja vu for the Ankeny boys' basketball team. The visiting Hawks suffered yet another close loss when Ames' Joe Evans made two free throws with 2.5 seconds left to give the Little Cyclones a 50-49 victory on Tuesday. Last month, Evans made a free throw with no time left to force overtime in a game that Ames eventually won, 49-47, at … [Read more...] about Little Cyclones edge Ankeny boys again on Evans’ late free throws
Warriors outlast Ankeny boys in double OT, extend Hawks’ losing skid
The Ankeny boys' basketball team had two chances to pull off a huge upset on Friday night at Waukee. The Hawks missed one shot at the end of regulation. They had another one blocked at the end of the first overtime. The Warriors then used an 8-0 run in the second overtime to pull away for a 70-65 victory in a CIML Central Conference game. "It's real … [Read more...] about Warriors outlast Ankeny boys in double OT, extend Hawks’ losing skid
Veteran Jaguars hold off young Hawks’ upset bid
Bob Fontana wasn't fooled by the Ankeny boys' basketball team's 1-6 record. The Ankeny Centennial head coach knew that his Jaguars were in for a dogfight when they traveled across town to face the Hawks on Dec. 21. "I knew we were going to be in for a battle with (Dillon Carlson) back--he's a nice player," Fontana said of the junior guard who was … [Read more...] about Veteran Jaguars hold off young Hawks’ upset bid