Ankeny Fanatic

Your Ankeny Sports Resource

Brandt Carlson

Without their leading scorer, Hawks struggle in loss to Ames

by

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

by

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

by

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

by

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

by

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

by

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

by

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

Ames boys hand Hawks their first loss behind Kellogg, Lipsey

by

Brandt Carlson tried to look on the bright side after his Ankeny boys' basketball team suffered its first loss of the season. "I think it's a good learning experience for us, and something you just have to go through at this level of competition," Carlson said. "But we'll bounce back." The third-ranked Hawks dropped a 68-60 decision at Ames on … [Read more...] about Ames boys hand Hawks their first loss behind Kellogg, Lipsey

Hawks use late surge to top Urbandale, stay unbeaten

by

At some point this season, the Ankeny boys' basketball team is probably going to lose a game. For much of Friday's contest at Urbandale, it looked like the Hawks' unbeaten streak might come to an end. The Ankeny players, though, were determined to keep their perfect season alive. Dillon Carlson scored 10 of his 21 points in the fourth quarter and … [Read more...] about Hawks use late surge to top Urbandale, stay unbeaten

Hawks stay unbeaten as Southeast Polk’s upset bid falls short

by

Brandt Carlson's previous two trips to the Southeast Polk gym ended with a pair of three-point losses, one of them in overtime. The Ankeny boys' basketball coach felt much better following Tuesday's game at Southeast Polk, where the undefeated Hawks pulled away in the fourth quarter for a 67-57 victory. "It was just a good win on the road at a place … [Read more...] about Hawks stay unbeaten as Southeast Polk’s upset bid falls short

Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Jaxon Smith, Ankeny boys’ basketball

by

Junior guard Jaxon Smith scored 12 points to help the Ankeny boys' basketball team to a 58-50 victory over visiting Ankeny Centennial on Friday. The Hawks improved their record to 4-0 on the season. Smith leads the team with a 14.8 scoring average. He had a season-high 17 points in the Hawks' 83-55 win at Fort Dodge on Nov. 30. Here is some inside info … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Jaxon Smith, Ankeny boys’ basketball

Hawks deliver early knockout punch, then hold off Centennial rally

by

When the Ankeny boys' basketball team is clicking on all cylinders, the Hawks are clearly one of the state's best teams. They proved that on Friday against crosstown rival Ankeny Centennial, jumping out to a 28-4 lead during the first half of the CIML Central Conference opener at Ankeny. But coach Brandt Carlson's team also showed that it still has … [Read more...] about Hawks deliver early knockout punch, then hold off Centennial rally

Ankeny boys grind out win over Railsplitters to stay unbeaten

by

The Ankeny boys' basketball team proved again on Tuesday that it has a lot of different offensive weapons. The Hawks don't have to rely on Braxton Bayless or Dillon Carlson every night. Jordan Kumm poured in a career-high 20 points and Jaxon Smith added 15 to lead Ankeny to a 55-45 victory over visiting Des Moines Lincoln. The Hawks, who are ranked … [Read more...] about Ankeny boys grind out win over Railsplitters to stay unbeaten

Hawks hit 10 3-pointers, romp to victory at Fort Dodge

by

There was no letdown for the Ankeny boys' basketball team. Just three days after opening the season with a huge win over Des Moines North, the Hawks went on the road Friday and rolled to an 83-55 victory at Fort Dodge. They shot 57 percent from the field, including 10-of-19 from 3-point range, en route to the win. "We haven't won up at Fort Dodge since … [Read more...] about Hawks hit 10 3-pointers, romp to victory at Fort Dodge

Bayless, Ankeny boys outlast Locure, Polar Bears in thriller

by

The wait was worth it for Braxton Bayless. The 6-foot-1 junior guard finally made his debut for the Ankeny boys' basketball team on Tuesday, and he led the Hawks to a thrilling victory. Bayless, who sat out last season after transferring to Ankeny from Valley, scored 24 points as the Hawks opened their season with an 85-78 triumph over visiting Des … [Read more...] about Bayless, Ankeny boys outlast Locure, Polar Bears in thriller

Talented Hawks look to become ‘most unselfish team in state’

by

There's a lot of excitement around this year's Ankeny boys' basketball team. The Hawks are coming off an 8-15 season a year ago, but that record is deceiving. The team got off to a 1-10 start that included six losses by five points or less, three of them in overtime. Ankeny went 6-4 to close out the regular season, then posted a 48-46 victory at Ames in a … [Read more...] about Talented Hawks look to become ‘most unselfish team in state’

Locure scores 36 points, leads North boys to win over Hawks

by

If the Des Moines North boys' basketball team continues to play like it did on Friday night, the Polar Bears may have a good chance to cut down the nets in two weeks at Wells Fargo Arena. Tyreke Locure poured in 36 points to lead North to an 87-73 victory over visiting Ankeny in a Class 4A substate semifinal. The Polar Bears (20-3) will play Johnston … [Read more...] about Locure scores 36 points, leads North boys to win over Hawks