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Brandt Carlson

Hawks unleash “32 minutes of havoc” in rout over Ottumwa

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Nolan Richardson's Arkansas basketball teams were famously known for their "40 minutes of hell" playing style. The Ankeny boys' basketball team is trying to develop a similar style. The Hawks unleashed their "32 minutes of havoc" on Ottumwa Tuesday at Wells Fargo Arena, where their defensive pressure forced 29 turnovers en route to a 68-33 … [Read more...] about Hawks unleash “32 minutes of havoc” in rout over Ottumwa

Hawks’ road woes continue with 58-51 loss at Dowling Catholic

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The Ankeny boys' basketball team couldn't overcome a huge disparity at the free-throw line and suffered its third consecutive road loss on Friday. The Hawks attempted just one free throw in a 58-51 loss at Dowling Catholic. The Maroons, meanwhile, went 13-of-19 at the line. "We attack the basket as hard as any team in the state, and evidently we didn't … [Read more...] about Hawks’ road woes continue with 58-51 loss at Dowling Catholic

Johnston’s late run spoils Hawks’ big fourth-quarter comeback

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Friday's game at Johnston gave the Ankeny boys' basketball team a chance to move into a first-place tie in the CIML Central Conference. Unfortunately, the third-ranked Hawks let the opportunity slip away. The Dragons blew a nine-point lead in the fourth quarter before closing the game on a 10-2 run to post a 63-60 victory. They improved to 4-0 in the … [Read more...] about Johnston’s late run spoils Hawks’ big fourth-quarter comeback

Ames boys hand Hawks their first loss behind Kellogg, Lipsey

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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’

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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