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Brandt Carlson

‘Our team will learn from this’: Hawks tumble in Central Conference finale

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This time, the Ankeny boys' basketball team couldn't climb out of a huge hole against CIML Central Conference rival Johnston. The Hawks--who overcame a 19-point deficit to post an 80-74 victory at Johnston last month--fell behind in the first quarter, 22-8, during Friday's rematch at Ankeny. They eventually closed the gap to 52-45 after three periods … [Read more...] about ‘Our team will learn from this’: Hawks tumble in Central Conference finale

Hawks overcome sluggish start to beat Hoover for 14th win of season

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In Friday's loss to top-ranked Ankeny Centennial, the Ankeny boys' basketball team got a game-high 26 points from Braxton Bayless, but none of his teammates scored more than six. On Tuesday, Bayless again led the way with 20 points, but he got some much-needed help as the Hawks posted a 65-58 victory at Des Moines Hoover in a non-conference game. Jaxon … [Read more...] about Hawks overcome sluggish start to beat Hoover for 14th win of season

No. 2 Jaguars hold off Ankeny, capture first conference crown since 2015

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Braxton Bayless wouldn't hesitate to pass the ball to Jaxon Smith again. Smith missed a potential game-winning 3-pointer in the final seconds of Friday's Jag-Hawk rematch at Ankeny, allowing the second-ranked Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team to escape with a 50-48 victory. "I'll give it to him 100 percent of the time if he's wide open like … [Read more...] about No. 2 Jaguars hold off Ankeny, capture first conference crown since 2015

Jag-Hawk II: Boys to play for league crown; Girls’ game more about pride

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A lot will be at stake on Friday when the two Ankeny boys' basketball teams meet for the second time in less than three weeks. Second-ranked Ankeny Centennial heads across town for a rematch against the Hawks, who will be looking to avenge a 69-61 loss at Centennial on Jan. 20. The Jaguars (7-1, 16-1) can clinch the outright CIML Central Conference title … [Read more...] about Jag-Hawk II: Boys to play for league crown; Girls’ game more about pride

Ankeny boys erupt for 96 points in lopsided victory over Marshalltown

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The Ankeny boys' basketball team needed a breather on Tuesday. The Hawks got one. After winning two of its previous three games in the final seconds, ninth-ranked Ankeny raced out to a 45-22 halftime lead and rolled to a 96-50 victory over visiting Marshalltown in a non-conference contest. It was the Hawks' highest offensive output of the … [Read more...] about Ankeny boys erupt for 96 points in lopsided victory over Marshalltown

Blimpie Sub of the Week: Matt Stueckradt, Ankeny boys’ basketball

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Junior guard Matt Stueckradt has helped the ninth-ranked Ankeny boys' basketball team to a 13-3 record. The Hawks rolled to a 96-50 victory over visiting Marshalltown on Tuesday. Stueckradt is averaging 2.1 points per game. He is shooting 29.4 percent from 3-point range (5-of-17). "Matt has played well off the bench," said Ankeny coach Brandt … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Matt Stueckradt, Ankeny boys’ basketball

Jaguars, Hawks placed in different substate brackets by IHSAA

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The coaches from the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball teams were hoping to be placed in different substate brackets, which would create the possibility of both squads advancing to the state tournament. They got their wish. The Iowa High School Athletic Association announced its Class 4A assignments on Friday. Ankeny has been placed in … [Read more...] about Jaguars, Hawks placed in different substate brackets by IHSAA

Smith’s late 3-pointer stuns Ames, keeps Hawks in race for conference title

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For the second time in three games, the Ankeny boys' basketball team escaped with a victory on a last-second basket. Jaxon Smith drained a 3-pointer from the left corner with 2 seconds left to give the ninth-ranked Hawks a 45-42 win at Ames on Friday. Smith hit the shot after receiving a pass from Braxton Bayless, whose last-second basket gave Ankeny a … [Read more...] about Smith’s late 3-pointer stuns Ames, keeps Hawks in race for conference title

‘We were playing uphill all night’: Ankeny boys tumble to Roughriders

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Something about the Ankeny boys' basketball team brings out the best in Des Moines Roosevelt. The Roughriders--who upset Ankeny in last year's Class 4A substate tournament--knocked off the ninth-ranked Hawks again on Tuesday in a non-conference game at Roosevelt. They posted a 65-60 victory to improve to 4-8 on the season. Ankeny's record dropped to … [Read more...] about ‘We were playing uphill all night’: Ankeny boys tumble to Roughriders

‘I think he’s ready for those moments’: Bayless sinks game-winner for Hawks

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Braxton Bayless has been playing like an all-stater this season for the Ankeny boys' basketball team. The senior guard delivered once again on Friday. Bayless scored a career-high 31 points, including the game-winning basket with 2 seconds left, as the ninth-ranked Hawks posted a 65-63 victory over visiting Urbandale. He is now averaging 23.7 points … [Read more...] about ‘I think he’s ready for those moments’: Bayless sinks game-winner for Hawks

Ankeny boys rebound from loss to Jaguars, rely on defense to beat Valley

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There wasn't much time for the Ankeny boys' basketball team to prepare for Tuesday's game against visiting Valley. Still stinging from Monday's loss at sixth-ranked Ankeny Centennial, the No. 9 Hawks bounced back with a hard-fought 55-45 victory that improved their record to 10-2. Valley dropped to 7-5. "It was just a grind-it-out win for us," said … [Read more...] about Ankeny boys rebound from loss to Jaguars, rely on defense to beat Valley

DOUBLE TROUBLE: McCullough, Johnson lead Jaguars past Ankeny boys

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A dynamic duo emerged for the Ankeny boys' basketball team on Monday. Ankeny Centennial's twin towers were just a little bit better. Post players Cody McCullough and Micah Johnson combined for 46 points and 33 rebounds against Ankeny's undersized squad to lead the sixth-ranked Jaguars to a 69-61 victory at Centennial. The No. 9 Hawks had won the last … [Read more...] about DOUBLE TROUBLE: McCullough, Johnson lead Jaguars past Ankeny boys

‘We’re just really proud of these guys’: Hawks stun Johnston with huge rally

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It's been a memorable season thus far for the Ankeny boys' basketball team. Nobody knows what lies ahead, but it's going to be difficult for the Hawks to top the last 72 hours. Just two days after knocking off seventh-ranked Dowling Catholic, Ankeny hit the road again on Thursday and rallied from a 19-point deficit in the second half to post an 80-74 … [Read more...] about ‘We’re just really proud of these guys’: Hawks stun Johnston with huge rally

‘It was a great battle’: Hawks build big lead, then hold on to beat Dowling

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Despite its 7-1 start, the Ankeny boys' basketball team had yet to defeat a top-10 opponent. Now, the Hawks have done just that. Ankeny made 13-of-22 attempts from 3-point range (59.1 percent) and posted a 77-73 victory at seventh-ranked Dowling Catholic on Tuesday. The Hawks avenged last month's 64-54 loss to Dowling while snapping the Maroons' … [Read more...] about ‘It was a great battle’: Hawks build big lead, then hold on to beat Dowling

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