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
Brandt Carlson
‘They’re the best team in the state’: Ames boys snap Hawks’ 8-game winning streak
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Hawks shut down former teammate Drea, Indianola for 72-60 road victory
Indianola guard Brayden Drea was excited to play against his former teammates on Monday night. The Ankeny boys' basketball players relished that same opportunity. Lio Aguirre scored 20 points, Carson Johnson added 19, and the Hawks led from start to finish in a 72-60 victory at Indianola in a non-conference game. "It was fun," said Ankeny guard Ryan … [Read more...] about Hawks shut down former teammate Drea, Indianola for 72-60 road victory
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 164
Grand View wide receiver Gerald Sama, a former Ankeny Centennial standout, joins basketball coaches Brandt Carlson of Ankeny and Bob Fontana of Centennial as the guests on the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by Coldwell Banker Mid-America. … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 164
Hawks jump out to big lead, then hold off Marshalltown’s rallies for 65-53 victory
When the Ankeny boys' basketball team jumped out to a 17-1 lead against visiting Marshalltown on Friday, it appeared that the game would be a rout. But the Bobcats didn't go down without a fight. Marshalltown closed the gap to just three points on three different occasions before the Hawks pulled away for a 65-53 victory in the CIML Iowa Conference … [Read more...] about Hawks jump out to big lead, then hold off Marshalltown’s rallies for 65-53 victory
‘It was a hard-fought win’: Hawks overcome Valley, Raridon for first victory
A few weeks ago, the Ankeny football team defeated Valley in the Class 5A semifinals to earn the right to play for a state championship. On Tuesday, the Hawks waged another epic battle against their CIML rival--this time on the basketball court. Ryan Crandall, who had a team-high 6.5 tackles in Ankeny's win over the Tigers at the UNI-Dome, scored 19 … [Read more...] about ‘It was a hard-fought win’: Hawks overcome Valley, Raridon for first victory
Ankeny boys battle Little Cyclones down to the wire before Lipsey takes over
The Ankeny boys' basketball program doesn't play for moral victories. But if ever a game qualified as one, Friday's season-opening loss at Ames would probably be it. The Little Cyclones, one of the favorites to win the Class 4A state title, held off a furious Ankeny rally in the second half to post a 54-44 victory in a CIML Iowa Conference game. "It … [Read more...] about Ankeny boys battle Little Cyclones down to the wire before Lipsey takes over
Experienced Hawks looking to rebound from last season’s 10-10 campaign
There won't be any break for Ankeny football standouts Ryan Crandall, JJ Kohl and Braden Simonsen. After helping the Hawks to a runner-up finish in the Class 5A playoffs on the gridiron earlier this month, the trio has made a quick transition to the basketball court. The Ankeny boys' squad will open its season on Friday with a difficult road test at Ames, … [Read more...] about Experienced Hawks looking to rebound from last season’s 10-10 campaign
‘Our guys didn’t back down’: Hawks put up a fight in loss to No. 2 Waukee
When the Ankeny boys' basketball team suffered a 65-28 loss to Waukee on Dec. 21, the Hawks clearly had a long way to go to compete with one of the state's best squads. Ankeny showed some signs of progress a month later, when the Hawks trailed Waukee by just eight points at halftime before dropping a 65-37 decision. On Tuesday, the Hawks closed the gap … [Read more...] about ‘Our guys didn’t back down’: Hawks put up a fight in loss to No. 2 Waukee
Blimpie Sub of the Week: Karson Wehde, Ankeny boys’ basketball
Sophomore forward Karson Wehde helped the Ankeny boys' basketball team to a 10-10 record. He scored six points as the Hawks ended their season with a 74-54 loss to second-ranked Waukee in a Class 4A substate final on Tuesday at Indianola. Wehde averaged 3.3 points and 1.7 rebounds per game. He placed third on the team with 15 3-point goals, shooting 35.7 … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Karson Wehde, Ankeny boys’ basketball