Ankeny Fanatic

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Brandt Carlson

‘It was a grind’: Ankeny boys top Warriors, will play Johnston in 4A quarterfinals

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A year ago, the Waukee boys' basketball team ended Ankeny's bid for a second consecutive Class 4A state title with a 74-54 victory in a substate final. On Tuesday at Dallas Center-Grimes, the ninth-ranked Hawks returned the favor. Ankeny pulled away in the third quarter and then held on to beat the defending state champion Warriors, 62-57, in a … [Read more...] about ‘It was a grind’: Ankeny boys top Warriors, will play Johnston in 4A quarterfinals

‘We’re excited to move on’: Hawks get off to fast start, roll past Sioux City West

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There were several upsets on Friday night in the semifinal round of the boys' Class 4A substate basketball tournaments. Ninth-ranked Ankeny refused to be one of the victims. The Hawks jumped out to a 24-7 lead in the first quarter and went on to defeat visiting Sioux City West, 83-48, in a Substate 1 matchup. "You've really got to establish who you … [Read more...] about ‘We’re excited to move on’: Hawks get off to fast start, roll past Sioux City West

Johnson returns to lineup, Kohl shines as Hawks top North to end regular season

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The Ankeny boys' basketball team wanted to keep its momentum going heading into postseason play. The ninth-ranked Hawks accomplished their goal with a 70-50 victory over visiting Des Moines North in a non-conference game on Friday. "I think tonight's win was very important for our team heading into the playoffs," said junior post player JJ Kohl. "It's … [Read more...] about Johnson returns to lineup, Kohl shines as Hawks top North to end regular season

‘I think we adjusted well’: AHS boys use bigger lineup without Johnson, top Rams

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The absence of its starting point guard didn't seem to bother the Ankeny boys' basketball team. The ninth-ranked Hawks placed four players in double figures and defeated visiting Southeast Polk, 68-55, in a non-conference game on Tuesday. Ankeny played without sophomore Carson Johnson, who injured his knee during Friday's overtime victory against … [Read more...] about ‘I think we adjusted well’: AHS boys use bigger lineup without Johnson, top Rams

‘I know I can hit that shot’: Aguirre’s OT buzzer-beater lifts Ankeny past Jaguars

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Ankeny's Lio Aguirre hadn't make a basket all night. He couldn't have picked a better time to sink his only shot. Aguirre made a jumper at the buzzer to give the sixth-ranked Hawks an 81-79 overtime victory against visiting Ankeny Centennial on Friday. The sophomore forward had missed a shot in the waning seconds of Tuesday's game at Des Moines Hoover, … [Read more...] about ‘I know I can hit that shot’: Aguirre’s OT buzzer-beater lifts Ankeny past Jaguars

‘It was the craziest deal’: Hoover stuns Hawks on Imani’s OT buzzer-beater

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An unlikely hero emerged for the Des Moines Hoover boys' basketball team on Tuesday. Senior Justin Imani, a 5-foot 7 guard, scored the winning basket at the buzzer to give the host Huskies a 53-51 overtime victory against sixth-ranked Ankeny in a non-conference game. The Hawks (14-4) lost to an unranked opponent for the first time. Their other losses … [Read more...] about ‘It was the craziest deal’: Hoover stuns Hawks on Imani’s OT buzzer-beater

‘We’re moving in the right direction’: AHS boys rout Mason City, improve to 14-3

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When the Ankeny boys' basketball team posted a 70-56 win at Mason City on Jan. 7, the Hawks didn't pull away until the fourth quarter. Friday's rematch between the two squads at Ankeny was decided well before then. The sixth-ranked Hawks held a 37-21 lead at halftime, then outscored Mason City in the third quarter, 24-10, to build a 61-31 advantage. … [Read more...] about ‘We’re moving in the right direction’: AHS boys rout Mason City, improve to 14-3

Hawks pull away in 2nd half, defeat Fort Dodge by 18-point margin for 2nd time

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The Ankeny boys' basketball team didn't have any time to dwell on Monday's loss to top-ranked Ames. The No. 6 Hawks traveled to Fort Dodge on Tuesday for another CIML Iowa Conference game and posted a 69-51 victory, defeating the Dodgers by an 18-point margin for the second time this season. "It was nice to win after a tough Monday night game," said … [Read more...] about Hawks pull away in 2nd half, defeat Fort Dodge by 18-point margin for 2nd time

‘They’re the best team in the state’: Ames boys snap Hawks’ 8-game winning streak

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The Ankeny boys' basketball team made a huge statement with Friday's win at third-ranked Waukee Northwest. No. 1 Ames made one of its own on Monday. The Little Cyclones jumped out to a 13-0 lead and cruised to a 69-50 victory at No. 8 Ankeny, snapping the Hawks' eight-game winning streak. "They were definitely ready, and we just didn't have an … [Read more...] about ‘They’re the best team in the state’: Ames boys snap Hawks’ 8-game winning streak

‘It was a great team win’: Hawks knock off Northwest, will host No. 1 Ames next

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This time, the Ankeny boys' basketball team didn't let a second-half lead slip away against Waukee Northwest. The eighth-ranked Hawks stayed alive in the race for the CIML Iowa Conference title with a 74-63 victory at No. 3 Northwest on Friday. The win was Ankeny's eighth in a row and avenged an earlier 57-50 loss to the Wolves. "It was a great team … [Read more...] about ‘It was a great team win’: Hawks knock off Northwest, will host No. 1 Ames next

Surging Hawks improve to 11-2 heading into showdown at Waukee Northwest

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The Ankeny boys' basketball team never trailed Tuesday en route to a 77-66 victory over visiting Dowling Catholic in a non-conference game. The eighth-ranked Hawks shot 55.3 percent from the field (26-of-47) while raising their record to 11-2. Dowling, which was coming off a 41-36 loss at No. 1 Ames on Saturday, dropped to 4-9. "It was a good win," … [Read more...] about Surging Hawks improve to 11-2 heading into showdown at Waukee Northwest

‘We were fortunate to win’: Hawks rally from double-digit deficit to beat Bobcats

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Some road trips in the CIML Iowa Conference are tougher than others. Friday's trip to Marshalltown turned out to be a dogfight for the Ankeny boys' basketball team. The eighth-ranked Hawks overcame a double-digit deficit in the first half and a 30-point effort by Marshalltown's Armonniey Thomas to post a 71-65 victory, extending their winning streak to … [Read more...] about ‘We were fortunate to win’: Hawks rally from double-digit deficit to beat Bobcats

Crandall’s dunk seals victory at Waukee; Hawks extend winning streak to 5 games

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The Ankeny boys' basketball team was clinging to a 52-45 lead in the fourth quarter of Tuesday's non-conference game at Waukee when Carson Johnson launched a 3-pointer for the Hawks from the top of the key. The shot bounced off the front of the rim and then hit the backboard, giving Waukee a chance to grab the rebound and perhaps cut its seven-point … [Read more...] about Crandall’s dunk seals victory at Waukee; Hawks extend winning streak to 5 games

Ankeny boys snap 4-game losing skid against Centennial behind ex-Jaguars

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A year ago, Lio Aguirre helped the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team to a pair of victories over its crosstown rival. On Tuesday, the sophomore forward returned to the Centennial gym and played a key role as Ankeny posted a 58-48 win over the Jaguars. He had a double-double with 15 points and 12 rebounds. "It was pretty exciting for me honestly," … [Read more...] about Ankeny boys snap 4-game losing skid against Centennial behind ex-Jaguars

Ankeny boys romp past Scarlets as Alex Aguirre pours in career-high 24 points

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It's been an impressive week for the Ankeny boys' basketball team. The Hawks rolled to their third consecutive double-digit victory with an 82-55 win at Des Moines East in a non-conference game on Saturday. "It feels good to finish the week 3-0," said Ankeny coach Brandt Carlson. "Once we got our rhythm, I felt like our guys played well. We were able … [Read more...] about Ankeny boys romp past Scarlets as Alex Aguirre pours in career-high 24 points

‘He nearly had a triple-double’: Crandall leads Hawks to win at Mason City

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Ryan Crandall and the Ankeny boys' basketball team picked up a road victory on Friday as the Hawks defeated Mason City, 70-56, in a CIML Iowa Conference game. Crandall scored 16 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in the win. "He nearly had a triple-double," said Ankeny coach Brandt Carlson. "He had a bunch of assists, too." Lio Aguirre had 13 points for … [Read more...] about ‘He nearly had a triple-double’: Crandall leads Hawks to win at Mason City

After 18-day layoff, Ankeny boys pull away in 2nd half to defeat Fort Dodge

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The Ankeny boys' basketball players had to wait 18 days to get back on the court after dropping a 57-50 decision to fourth-ranked Waukee Northwest on Dec. 17. The layoff may have been a little too long. The Hawks shook off some rust and pulled away in the second half to defeat visiting Fort Dodge, 64-46, on Tuesday. The Dodgers' previous four losses … [Read more...] about After 18-day layoff, Ankeny boys pull away in 2nd half to defeat Fort Dodge

THE PRYCE IS RIGHT: Sandfort leads late rally as Northwest boys surge past AHS

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The Ankeny boys' basketball team has already faced two of the state's best players in Tamin Lipsey of Ames and Eli Raridon of Valley. The Hawks faced another one on Friday in Waukee Northwest's Pryce Sandfort. Sandfort racked up 30 points, 13 rebounds and eight blocks to lead the ninth-ranked Wolves to a 57-50 road victory in a CIML Iowa Conference … [Read more...] about THE PRYCE IS RIGHT: Sandfort leads late rally as Northwest boys surge past AHS

BALANCED ATTACK: 5 Ankeny players score in double figures in win over Rails

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There was no letdown for the Ankeny boys' basketball team following an emotional victory on Monday. The Hawks had five players in double figures and defeated visiting Des Moines Lincoln, 79-56, in a non-conference game on Tuesday. They improved to 4-1 on the season with their fourth straight win, while the Railsplitters dropped to 2-3. "I was proud of … [Read more...] about BALANCED ATTACK: 5 Ankeny players score in double figures in win over Rails