Ankeny Fanatic

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Brandt Carlson

Ankeny boys shake off rust, rally in 2nd half for 70-58 victory over Urbandale

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It took awhile for the Ankeny boys' basketball team to shake off the rust. Following a 17-day layoff, the ninth-ranked Hawks struggled in the first half of Friday's game against visiting Urbandale and trailed at the break, 32-27. "There's no question about it that we were a little rusty," said Ankeny coach Brandt Carlson. "But with young kids like … [Read more...] about Ankeny boys shake off rust, rally in 2nd half for 70-58 victory over Urbandale

Winkel, Jaguars use late run to snap Ankeny boys’ 6-game winning streak

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An unlikely hero emerged for the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team on Tuesday. Junior Cabryn Klingner made a 3-point goal to give the Jaguars a 53-51 lead over visiting Ankeny with 3 minutes 20 seconds left to play in a CIML Conference game. It was Klingner's only basket of the night, but it sparked a 14-1 run that allowed Centennial to pull away … [Read more...] about Winkel, Jaguars use late run to snap Ankeny boys’ 6-game winning streak

Soaring Hawks hold off Dowling for 6th straight win after 11 ties, 17 lead changes

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Just call them the Road Warriors. The Ankeny boys' basketball team came up with two big defensive stops down the stretch and held on for a 79-77 victory at Dowling Catholic on Friday, extending its winning streak to six games and earning its fourth road win in CIML Conference play. "We pride ourselves on playing defense," said Ankeny senior Lio … [Read more...] about Soaring Hawks hold off Dowling for 6th straight win after 11 ties, 17 lead changes

‘He really took over’: Johnson pours in career-high 40, leads Hawks past NW

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Ankeny boys' basketball standout Carson Johnson has been playing at a high level this season. On Tuesday at Waukee Northwest, the senior point guard took his game into the stratosphere. Johnson made 8-of-9 shots from 3-point range and poured in a career-high 40 points to lead the Hawks to an 84-76 victory in a CIML Conference game. "He literally … [Read more...] about ‘He really took over’: Johnson pours in career-high 40, leads Hawks past NW

Johnson, Lio Aguirre combine for 47 points in Hawks’ road win over Indianola

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The Ankeny boys' basketball team didn't have much time to prepare for Monday's non-conference game at Indianola. With seniors Carson Johnson and Lio Aguirre leading the way, it really didn't matter. Johnson poured in 24 points and Aguirre added 23 as the Hawks cruised to a 73-48 victory that extended their winning streak to four games. They are now 4-1 … [Read more...] about Johnson, Lio Aguirre combine for 47 points in Hawks’ road win over Indianola

‘It’s been a fun rivalry’: Ankeny boys beat Ames, avenge last year’s substate loss

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Ankeny boys' basketball coach Brandt Carlson didn't have to give his players a fiery pregame speech on Friday. The Hawks were already highly motivated. Ankeny pulled away in the second half to defeat visiting Ames, 58-42, in a non-conference game. The win avenged last year's substate semifinal loss to the Little Cyclones, who erased a 13-point halftime … [Read more...] about ‘It’s been a fun rivalry’: Ankeny boys beat Ames, avenge last year’s substate loss

‘We’re ready to take on anybody’: Hawks romp to 2nd consecutive road victory

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A year ago, the Ankeny boys' basketball team won only two conference games on the road. The Hawks have already matched that total just three games into the 2023-24 season. Ankeny improved its record to 2-1 in the CIML Conference with a 76-59 victory at Southeast Polk on Tuesday. The Hawks also won at Johnston, 51-45, on Friday. "It's not easy to win … [Read more...] about ‘We’re ready to take on anybody’: Hawks romp to 2nd consecutive road victory

Hawks crank up defensive pressure, knock off Johnston for road triumph

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After giving up 83 points three nights earlier, the Ankeny boys' basketball team cranked up the defensive pressure on Friday. The Hawks held host Johnston to 3-of-20 shooting from 3-point range (15.0 percent) and posted a 51-45 victory in a CIML Conference game. Both teams are now 1-1 in the league and overall. "It felt good to get a win to start the … [Read more...] about Hawks crank up defensive pressure, knock off Johnston for road triumph

Hawks drop opener at Waukee despite Johnson’s career-high 35 points

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Carson Johnson is poised to have a big senior season for the Ankeny boys' basketball team. Whether or not that translates into a huge campaign for the Hawks remains to be seen. Johnson poured in a career-high 35 points on Tuesday, but it wasn't enough as Ankeny dropped an 83-73 decision at Waukee in a CIML Conference game. It was the season opener for … [Read more...] about Hawks drop opener at Waukee despite Johnson’s career-high 35 points

Senior trio of Aguirre, Johnson, Schoolen to lead way for Ankeny boys’ squad

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Even though the Ankeny boys' basketball team struggled to a 9-15 record last year, head coach Brandt Carlson didn't view it as a disappointing season. "I guess if we view every season through the lens of wins and losses, then last year wasn't ideal," he said. "But I believe that last year our players moved our program forward and handled a lot of … [Read more...] about Senior trio of Aguirre, Johnson, Schoolen to lead way for Ankeny boys’ squad

‘My hat’s off to Ames’: Little Cyclones end Ankeny’s season with huge 2nd half

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The first half of Friday's game at Ames could not have gone much better for the Ankeny boys' basketball team. Unfortunately, the second half could not have gone any worse. After building a 39-26 halftime lead, the Hawks were outscored in the final two periods, 46-12, and dropped a 72-51 decision in a Class 4A substate semifinal. They finished an … [Read more...] about ‘My hat’s off to Ames’: Little Cyclones end Ankeny’s season with huge 2nd half

‘It’s what we needed’: Aguirre scores 27, leads Hawks to lopsided substate win

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With an 8-14 record, the Ankeny boys' basketball team didn't win enough games to earn a first-round bye in postseason play. That was just fine with junior Lio Aguirre. Aguirre poured in 27 points to lead the Hawks to a 76-52 victory over visiting Ottumwa in a Class 4A substate quarterfinal on Monday. The Bulldogs, who had won their previous two games … [Read more...] about ‘It’s what we needed’: Aguirre scores 27, leads Hawks to lopsided substate win

Hawks keep Henderson in check, close out regular season with win over Hoover

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Ankeny point guard Carson Johnson was looking forward to Tuesday's matchup against visiting Des Moines Hoover and Montana recruit Chase Henderson. Henderson entered the non-conference game with 42 3-point goals and was averaging nearly 21 points a contest. "He's a good player," Johnson said. "We knew we had to help a lot on him and just try to take … [Read more...] about Hawks keep Henderson in check, close out regular season with win over Hoover

Hawks end losing skid with victory over Linn-Mar behind Johnson, Aguirre

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The Ankeny boys' basketball team got a much-needed victory on Saturday. The Hawks snapped a five-game losing skid with a 69-65 win over Linn-Mar (Marion) in a non-conference game at Valley. "It was a good win for the guys after a tough loss Friday night (to Valley)," said Ankeny coach Brandt Carlson, whose team improved to 7-14 on the season. Ankeny … [Read more...] about Hawks end losing skid with victory over Linn-Mar behind Johnson, Aguirre

Ankeny boys fall to No. 4 Valley, will try to rebound Saturday against Linn-Mar

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The Ankeny boys' basketball team won't have much time to dwell on Friday's loss to visiting Valley. The Hawks will be right back on the court Saturday at Valley to face Linn-Mar (Marion) (7-10) in a non-conference game. Tip-off is at 2:30 p.m. "They've got a good young team," Ankeny coach Brandt Carlson said of the Lions. "It'll be a good challenge for … [Read more...] about Ankeny boys fall to No. 4 Valley, will try to rebound Saturday against Linn-Mar

J-Hawks spoil Ankeny boys’ Senior Night as Hawks’ offense fizzles in 2nd half

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It's been an up-and-down season for the Ankeny boys' basketball team. After winning three straight games in mid-January, the Hawks have now lost four in a row following Tuesday's 59-46 setback to visiting Urbandale. The J-Hawks improved to 2-13 in the CIML Conference and 7-13 overall, while Ankeny's records dropped to 4-11 and 6-13. Both of Urbandale's … [Read more...] about J-Hawks spoil Ankeny boys’ Senior Night as Hawks’ offense fizzles in 2nd half

A COMEBACK FOR THE AGES: Jaguars rally from 25 down to edge Ankeny boys

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A noticeable number of fans left the Ankeny Centennial gym on Friday after the Ankeny boys' basketball team built a commanding 37-14 halftime lead over the eighth-ranked Jaguars. Those fans missed quite the finish. After Ankeny's Maddox Ward scored the first basket of the third quarter to extend the margin to 25 points, Centennial responded with an … [Read more...] about A COMEBACK FOR THE AGES: Jaguars rally from 25 down to edge Ankeny boys

‘We played them pretty tough’: Hawks show progress in 66-55 loss at No. 3 NW

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For nearly three quarters on Friday night, the Ankeny boys' basketball team threatened to knock off the state's No. 3 squad for the second time in two weeks. The Hawks, who posted a 56-51 upset over Waukee on Jan. 13, battled host Waukee Northwest to a 41-41 tie about 5 minutes into the second half. But the Wolves then closed the third quarter with an 8-2 … [Read more...] about ‘We played them pretty tough’: Hawks show progress in 66-55 loss at No. 3 NW

Hawks struggle in loss to Dowling after leading scorer Johnson injures ankle

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A challenging season for the Ankeny boys' basketball team may have gotten even more challenging on Tuesday. Junior guard Carson Johnson, the Hawks' leading scorer, suffered an ankle injury during his team's 61-49 loss to visiting Dowling Catholic. The Maroons avenged a 74-65 loss to Ankeny last month. "We struggled offensively," said Ankeny coach … [Read more...] about Hawks struggle in loss to Dowling after leading scorer Johnson injures ankle