Ankeny Fanatic

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Brandt Carlson

Without injured Johnson, Ankeny boys suffer 67-48 loss to defending champs

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Tuesday's game against third-ranked Valley was already going to be a challenge for the Ankeny boys' basketball team. It became even tougher when Carson Johnson, the leading scorer in Class 4A, was unable to play. Johnson sat out with a hand injury that he suffered during Friday's loss to Waukee Northwest, and the host Hawks went on to drop a 67-48 … [Read more...] about Without injured Johnson, Ankeny boys suffer 67-48 loss to defending champs

Ankeny boys lose star guard Johnson to hand injury during loss to Waukee NW

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Some losses are more costly than others. The Ankeny boys' basketball team is hoping that Friday's defeat to visiting Waukee Northwest won't be too damaging in the grand scheme of things. However, an injury to star point guard Carson Johnson could be even more detrimental than the 62-49 loss. Johnson, the leading scorer in Class 4A with an average of … [Read more...] about Ankeny boys lose star guard Johnson to hand injury during loss to Waukee NW

Ankeny boys hold off Dowling Catholic, move into 3rd place in CIML Conference

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Every win matters right now for the Ankeny boys' basketball team. The ninth-ranked Hawks, who are fighting for a top seed in a Class 4A substate tournament, took another step toward reaching that goal with a 66-60 victory over visiting Dowling Catholic on Tuesday. They completed a sweep of the season series against the Maroons, who dropped the first … [Read more...] about Ankeny boys hold off Dowling Catholic, move into 3rd place in CIML Conference

Hawks overcome Goodman’s 30 points, sweep season series against S.E. Polk

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The Ankeny boys' basketball team pulled away in the fourth quarter to post a 76-61 victory over visiting Southeast Polk on Friday. The game was tied with less than 3 minutes left in the third period before the seventh-ranked Hawks took control down the stretch. They improved to 6-3 in the CIML Conference and 9-4 overall, while Southeast Polk's records … [Read more...] about Hawks overcome Goodman’s 30 points, sweep season series against S.E. Polk

‘It was a frustrating evening’: Ankeny boys get in foul trouble, tumble at DC-Grimes

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Tuesday's non-conference game at Dallas Center-Grimes is one that the Ankeny boys' basketball team might want to forget. The seventh-ranked Hawks fell behind at halftime, 44-32, and went on to drop an 84-68 decision to the Mustangs. It was the most points allowed by Ankeny this season. "It was just tough for us to get any momentum going," said Ankeny … [Read more...] about ‘It was a frustrating evening’: Ankeny boys get in foul trouble, tumble at DC-Grimes

No. 5 Waukee holds off Hawks’ late rally to remain unbeaten in CIML Conference

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A slow start proved costly for the Ankeny boys' basketball team. The seventh-ranked Hawks fell behind No. 5 Waukee, 19-5, in the first quarter of Thursday's game at Ankeny. Ankeny eventually closed the gap to three points in the final seconds before the Warriors held on for a 68-63 victory. "It was all about the start," said Ankeny coach Brandt … [Read more...] about No. 5 Waukee holds off Hawks’ late rally to remain unbeaten in CIML Conference

Johnson pours in 29 points, leads Hawks past Bettendorf in MVC-CIML Showdown

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Ankeny's Carson Johnson just continues to scorch the nets. The senior point guard poured in 29 points on 12-of-16 shooting to lead the ninth-ranked Hawks to a 78-53 victory over Bettendorf in the ServPro MVC-CIML Showdown on Saturday at Alliant Energy Powerhouse in Cedar Rapids. He went 4-of-6 from 3-point range. Johnson leads Class 4A in scoring with … [Read more...] about Johnson pours in 29 points, leads Hawks past Bettendorf in MVC-CIML Showdown

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