Ankeny Fanatic

Your Ankeny Sports Resource

Brandt Carlson

Ames boys hand Hawks their first loss behind Kellogg, Lipsey

by

Brandt Carlson tried to look on the bright side after his Ankeny boys' basketball team suffered its first loss of the season. "I think it's a good learning experience for us, and something you just have to go through at this level of competition," Carlson said. "But we'll bounce back." The third-ranked Hawks dropped a 68-60 decision at Ames on … [Read more...] about Ames boys hand Hawks their first loss behind Kellogg, Lipsey

Hawks use late surge to top Urbandale, stay unbeaten

by

At some point this season, the Ankeny boys' basketball team is probably going to lose a game. For much of Friday's contest at Urbandale, it looked like the Hawks' unbeaten streak might come to an end. The Ankeny players, though, were determined to keep their perfect season alive. Dillon Carlson scored 10 of his 21 points in the fourth quarter and … [Read more...] about Hawks use late surge to top Urbandale, stay unbeaten

Hawks stay unbeaten as Southeast Polk’s upset bid falls short

by

Brandt Carlson's previous two trips to the Southeast Polk gym ended with a pair of three-point losses, one of them in overtime. The Ankeny boys' basketball coach felt much better following Tuesday's game at Southeast Polk, where the undefeated Hawks pulled away in the fourth quarter for a 67-57 victory. "It was just a good win on the road at a place … [Read more...] about Hawks stay unbeaten as Southeast Polk’s upset bid falls short

Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Jaxon Smith, Ankeny boys’ basketball

by

Junior guard Jaxon Smith scored 12 points to help the Ankeny boys' basketball team to a 58-50 victory over visiting Ankeny Centennial on Friday. The Hawks improved their record to 4-0 on the season. Smith leads the team with a 14.8 scoring average. He had a season-high 17 points in the Hawks' 83-55 win at Fort Dodge on Nov. 30. Here is some inside info … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Jaxon Smith, Ankeny boys’ basketball

Hawks deliver early knockout punch, then hold off Centennial rally

by

When the Ankeny boys' basketball team is clicking on all cylinders, the Hawks are clearly one of the state's best teams. They proved that on Friday against crosstown rival Ankeny Centennial, jumping out to a 28-4 lead during the first half of the CIML Central Conference opener at Ankeny. But coach Brandt Carlson's team also showed that it still has … [Read more...] about Hawks deliver early knockout punch, then hold off Centennial rally

Ankeny boys grind out win over Railsplitters to stay unbeaten

by

The Ankeny boys' basketball team proved again on Tuesday that it has a lot of different offensive weapons. The Hawks don't have to rely on Braxton Bayless or Dillon Carlson every night. Jordan Kumm poured in a career-high 20 points and Jaxon Smith added 15 to lead Ankeny to a 55-45 victory over visiting Des Moines Lincoln. The Hawks, who are ranked … [Read more...] about Ankeny boys grind out win over Railsplitters to stay unbeaten

Hawks hit 10 3-pointers, romp to victory at Fort Dodge

by

There was no letdown for the Ankeny boys' basketball team. Just three days after opening the season with a huge win over Des Moines North, the Hawks went on the road Friday and rolled to an 83-55 victory at Fort Dodge. They shot 57 percent from the field, including 10-of-19 from 3-point range, en route to the win. "We haven't won up at Fort Dodge since … [Read more...] about Hawks hit 10 3-pointers, romp to victory at Fort Dodge

Bayless, Ankeny boys outlast Locure, Polar Bears in thriller

by

The wait was worth it for Braxton Bayless. The 6-foot-1 junior guard finally made his debut for the Ankeny boys' basketball team on Tuesday, and he led the Hawks to a thrilling victory. Bayless, who sat out last season after transferring to Ankeny from Valley, scored 24 points as the Hawks opened their season with an 85-78 triumph over visiting Des … [Read more...] about Bayless, Ankeny boys outlast Locure, Polar Bears in thriller

Talented Hawks look to become ‘most unselfish team in state’

by

There's a lot of excitement around this year's Ankeny boys' basketball team. The Hawks are coming off an 8-15 season a year ago, but that record is deceiving. The team got off to a 1-10 start that included six losses by five points or less, three of them in overtime. Ankeny went 6-4 to close out the regular season, then posted a 48-46 victory at Ames in a … [Read more...] about Talented Hawks look to become ‘most unselfish team in state’

Locure scores 36 points, leads North boys to win over Hawks

by

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

Ankeny boys edge Little Cyclones in substate thriller

by

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

by

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

by

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

by

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

Valley boys hold off Hawks, earn share of conference title

by

A huge second quarter lifted the Valley boys' basketball team to a 68-60 victory over visiting Ankeny on Friday, allowing the Tigers to share the CIML Central Conference title with Waukee. Valley outscored Ankeny in the second quarter, 24-10, to build a 35-24 lead at halftime. The Hawks pulled to within six points in the second half, but could not get any … [Read more...] about Valley boys hold off Hawks, earn share of conference title

Hawks to visit Ames, Jaguars to host Lincoln in substate play

by

  The Ankeny boys' basketball team was expecting to head north for its postseason opener later this month. It turns out that the Hawks won't have to go as far up I-35 as they thought. Fifth-seeded Ankeny will play at fourth-seeded Ames in a Class 4A Substate 8 quarterfinal on Feb. 19 at 7 p.m. The Little Cyclones (7-11) are currently on a … [Read more...] about Hawks to visit Ames, Jaguars to host Lincoln in substate play