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Brandt Carlson

Hawks hold Class 4A scoring leader to 11 points in victory at Ottumwa

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A long road trip to Ottumwa provided a huge challenge for the Ankeny boys' basketball team on Tuesday. Waiting for the Hawks' arrival was junior forward Trae Swartz, the Class 4A scoring leader with an average of 25 points per game. "He's really good," said Ankeny coach Brandt Carlson. "He can shoot the 3-pointer, and he can post up. They run … [Read more...] about Hawks hold Class 4A scoring leader to 11 points in victory at Ottumwa

Ankeny boys allow just 7 baskets, romp to 64-22 win over Little Cyclones

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The Ankeny boys' basketball team put on a defensive clinic for its home fans on Friday. The Hawks limited Ames to just 19.4 percent shooting from the field and rolled to a 64-22 victory. It was the fewest points allowed by an Ankeny team since a 59-20 win over Ottumwa during the 2012-13 season. "Our defense was great. We really did some nice things," … [Read more...] about Ankeny boys allow just 7 baskets, romp to 64-22 win over Little Cyclones

Hawks turn up defensive pressure, pull away for 64-50 win at Urbandale

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Friday's game wasn't about the X's and the O's for the Ankeny boys' basketball team. It had more to do with effort and teamwork. "That game was really about us competing as a team," senior guard Jaxon Smith said after the Hawks posted a 64-50 victory at Urbandale. "Just getting everyone involved, and it was fun playing with everybody." Braxton … [Read more...] about Hawks turn up defensive pressure, pull away for 64-50 win at Urbandale

‘We’re glad to have him back’: Bayless returns to lineup, leads Hawks to win

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Braxton Bayless watched from the bench as the Ankeny boys' basketball team got off to a 3-1 start this season. The Hawks' top returning scorer and rebounder sat out the first four games after violating the school's good conduct policy. "It was real hard and very tough to watch my brothers battle without me," said Bayless. The senior point guard made … [Read more...] about ‘We’re glad to have him back’: Bayless returns to lineup, leads Hawks to win

Blimpie Sub of the Week: Braden Simonsen, Ankeny boys’ basketball

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Sophomore Braden Simonsen has helped the Ankeny boys' basketball team to a 4-1 record. He is averaging 2.0 points and 2.2 rebounds per game. Simonsen scored six points in the Hawks' 57-43 victory over visiting Fort Dodge on Dec. 6. He had three points and three rebounds in his team's 62-60 overtime win at Des Moines Lincoln on Dec. 10. "Braden has … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Braden Simonsen, Ankeny boys’ basketball

Maroons make 25-of-34 free throws, hand Ankeny boys their first loss

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Friday's CIML Central Conference opener between the Ankeny and Dowling Catholic boys' basketball teams turned into a free-throw shooting contest. The two squads combined for 64 free-throw attempts, including 35 in the fourth quarter alone. Four Ankeny players fouled out in the final period as the Hawks tried to rally on their home court, but Dowling held … [Read more...] about Maroons make 25-of-34 free throws, hand Ankeny boys their first loss

Hawks outlast Lincoln in OT as Smith hits tying, game-winning free throws

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Jaxon Smith stood at the charity stripe with a chance to give his undefeated Ankeny boys' basketball team another hard-fought victory. The senior guard calmly delivered. Smith made two free throws in the final seconds of overtime as the Hawks posted a 62-60 win at Des Moines Lincoln on Tuesday. He finished with 25 points. "I was sure I could make … [Read more...] about Hawks outlast Lincoln in OT as Smith hits tying, game-winning free throws

‘I had to come out and prove it’: Smith leads Hawks past Fort Dodge

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Ankeny's Jaxon Smith battled some foul trouble during the Hawks' season-opening victory at Des Moines North on Tuesday. The senior guard also dealt with some other issues. "The first game was hard for me. I probably acted in ways I shouldn't have acted," said Smith. "Coach (Brandt Carlson) got on me, and I just wanted to show him that I'm for this team … [Read more...] about ‘I had to come out and prove it’: Smith leads Hawks past Fort Dodge

Kumm’s career night leads Hawks to season-opening win over North

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The Ankeny boys' basketball team needed somebody to step up on Tuesday night. Senior guard Jordan Kumm accepted the challenge. Kumm poured in a career-high 29 points to lead the Hawks to a 60-57 victory at Des Moines North in their season opener. His previous high of 20 points came in a win over Des Moines Lincoln last season. Ankeny overcame the … [Read more...] about Kumm’s career night leads Hawks to season-opening win over North

Ankeny boys’ up-tempo attack to be fueled by trio of senior guards

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Perhaps no boys' basketball team in the state returns as much experience in the backcourt as Ankeny does with the trio of senior guards in Braxton Bayless, Jordan Kumm and Jaxon Smith. Those three players combined for more than 36 points per game a year ago while leading an up-tempo attack that helped the Hawks to a 13-8 record. Ankeny coach Brandt … [Read more...] about Ankeny boys’ up-tempo attack to be fueled by trio of senior guards

Late rally falls short; Hawks end season with loss to Roosevelt

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Every time the Ankeny boys' basketball team suffered a loss this season, head coach Brant Carlson was hoping that it would be a learning lesson for the Hawks. When Ankeny closed out the regular season on Friday with a 71-68 loss at Mason City, Carlson was again hoping that his team could bounce back with the start of postseason play three days … [Read more...] about Late rally falls short; Hawks end season with loss to Roosevelt

Postseason play begins tonight at home for Hawks, Jaguars

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If the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball teams want to experience some March Madness, they'll first have to pull off some upsets in February. Both squads will begin postseason play on Monday at home, but the Hawks and Jaguars will then likely have to defeat two higher-seeded teams to qualify for the state tournament, which will be held on … [Read more...] about Postseason play begins tonight at home for Hawks, Jaguars

Hawks stumble to 71-68 loss at Mason City in regular-season finale

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Fortunately for the Ankeny boys' basketball team, Friday's game at Mason City was essentially meaningless. The Hawks dropped a 71-68 decision in their regular-season finale, giving them a couple of days to prepare for Monday's Class 4A substate quarterfinal against visiting Des Moines Roosevelt. "It wasn't fun at all, but what do you do?" said … [Read more...] about Hawks stumble to 71-68 loss at Mason City in regular-season finale

Ankeny boys roll past Scarlets, score their most points in 11 years

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The Ankeny boys' basketball team appears to be peaking at the right time. The Hawks had a pair of 29-point quarters and rolled to a 97-66 victory over visiting Des Moines East on Tuesday. It was the most points by an Ankeny squad since 2008, when the Hawks scored 102 in a substate game--also against the Scarlets. "We had some guys make some plays," … [Read more...] about Ankeny boys roll past Scarlets, score their most points in 11 years

Hawks topple Johnston on Carlson’s late FTs, give Ames share of league title

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The percentages were in Dillon Carlson's favor. The senior guard made two free throws with 2.2 seconds left to give the Ankeny boys' basketball team a 59-57 victory over visiting Johnston on Friday. "I can't miss two in a row," said Carlson, an 84.6 percent free-throw shooter who had missed his previous attempt just moments earlier. "I was still … [Read more...] about Hawks topple Johnston on Carlson’s late FTs, give Ames share of league title

Ankeny boys bounce back with huge win over reeling Huskies

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Tuesday's game against visiting Des Moines Hoover was an important one for the Ankeny boys' basketball team for a variety of reasons. The Hawks were hoping to bounce back from Friday's loss to Dowling Catholic and build some momentum for postseason play. A win would also strengthen Ankeny's argument for a higher seed in Class 4A substate play when the … [Read more...] about Ankeny boys bounce back with huge win over reeling Huskies

Dowling sweeps season series against Hawks, makes argument for No. 3 seed

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The Ankeny boys' basketball team was hoping to earn a No. 2 seed in Class 4A Substate 7. Friday's loss to visiting Dowling Catholic could drop the Hawks down to a No. 4 seed instead. The visiting Maroons swept the season series against Ankeny with a 65-57 victory. They will also finish ahead of the Hawks in the CIML Central Conference, giving coach … [Read more...] about Dowling sweeps season series against Hawks, makes argument for No. 3 seed

Ankeny boys get out and run, race to victory over Roughriders

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The Ankeny boys' basketball team finally rediscovered its mojo. After being held to a combined 92 points in their previous two games, the Hawks erupted for a season-high offensive total en route to an 88-63 victory over visiting Des Moines Roosevelt on Monday. "It has been awhile (since we've played like that)," said Ankeny coach Brandt Carlson, whose … [Read more...] about Ankeny boys get out and run, race to victory over Roughriders