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Brandt Carlson

‘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

Without their leading scorer, Hawks struggle in loss to Ames

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It might be best for the Ankeny boys' basketball players to just forget about Friday's game against visiting Ames. The Little Cyclones built a 39-16 lead in the first half and cruised to a 79-47 victory in a CIML Central Conference contest. Afterwards, Ankeny coach Brandt Carlson was ready to turn the page. "Sometimes you just get your butt kicked, and … [Read more...] about Without their leading scorer, Hawks struggle in loss to Ames

Crews beats the buzzer; Hawks escape with win over Urbandale

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Ankeny's Jaron Crews didn't panic as the final seconds ticked off the clock during Thursday's boys' basketball game against visiting Urbandale. The sophomore forward had practiced similar situations just 24 hours earlier. Crews made a 3-point goal from the top of the key with 1.8 seconds left--his only basket of the game--to give the Hawks a 45-42 … [Read more...] about Crews beats the buzzer; Hawks escape with win over Urbandale

Tigers spoil Bayless’ return to Valley behind Williams’ huge 1st quarter

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Ankeny guard Braxton Bayless was fired up for his return to Valley High School on Tuesday night. Unfortunately, the host Tigers spoiled the party. Trayvon Williams poured in 24 points and Valley built a 20-point lead before holding on for a 76-67 victory over the Hawks. "I was pumped," said Bayless, who played for Valley's freshman team two years … [Read more...] about Tigers spoil Bayless’ return to Valley behind Williams’ huge 1st quarter

Hawks lead from start to finish, complete sweep of crosstown rival

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With its four-guard lineup, the Ankeny boys' basketball team is almost always giving up some size to its opponents. But that makes the Hawks difficult to match up with as well. Ankeny again relied on its quickness to post a 61-51 victory at Ankeny Centennial on Friday, completing a sweep of the season series. The Hawks got 20 points from Braxton … [Read more...] about Hawks lead from start to finish, complete sweep of crosstown rival

Hawks unleash “32 minutes of havoc” in rout over Ottumwa

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Nolan Richardson's Arkansas basketball teams were famously known for their "40 minutes of hell" playing style. The Ankeny boys' basketball team is trying to develop a similar style. The Hawks unleashed their "32 minutes of havoc" on Ottumwa Tuesday at Wells Fargo Arena, where their defensive pressure forced 29 turnovers en route to a 68-33 … [Read more...] about Hawks unleash “32 minutes of havoc” in rout over Ottumwa

Hawks’ road woes continue with 58-51 loss at Dowling Catholic

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The Ankeny boys' basketball team couldn't overcome a huge disparity at the free-throw line and suffered its third consecutive road loss on Friday. The Hawks attempted just one free throw in a 58-51 loss at Dowling Catholic. The Maroons, meanwhile, went 13-of-19 at the line. "We attack the basket as hard as any team in the state, and evidently we didn't … [Read more...] about Hawks’ road woes continue with 58-51 loss at Dowling Catholic

Johnston’s late run spoils Hawks’ big fourth-quarter comeback

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Friday's game at Johnston gave the Ankeny boys' basketball team a chance to move into a first-place tie in the CIML Central Conference. Unfortunately, the third-ranked Hawks let the opportunity slip away. The Dragons blew a nine-point lead in the fourth quarter before closing the game on a 10-2 run to post a 63-60 victory. They improved to 4-0 in the … [Read more...] about Johnston’s late run spoils Hawks’ big fourth-quarter comeback