Braxton Bayless is heading a little closer to home. The former Ankeny basketball star announced earlier this week that he will play his final collegiate season at Little Rock, which is coached by former NBA player Darrell Walker, who previously coached the Toronto Raptors and Washington Wizards. "I'm excited to be around a coaching staff with NBA … [Read more...] about ONE LAST STOP: Ex-Ankeny star Bayless to play his final season at Little Rock
Braxton Bayless
Bayless makes another buzzer-beater, allows Hilltoppers to edge Louisiana Tech
Braxton Bayless needed only four dribbles to go the length of the court to make his latest buzzer-beater. The former Ankeny basketball star made a go-ahead layup with .4 seconds remaining to give Western Kentucky a 64-63 win over Louisiana Tech on Saturday night at Diddle Arena in Bowling Green, Ky. "Coach (Hank Plona) said if we get it, go," said … [Read more...] about Bayless makes another buzzer-beater, allows Hilltoppers to edge Louisiana Tech
‘It was a no-brainer’: Bayless to reunite with coach Plona at Western Kentucky
When Hank Plona was named the 17th head men's basketball coach at Western Kentucky a week ago, it didn't take long for him to be reunited with one of his former players. Braxton Bayless, who played for Plona at Indian Hills Community College, has committed to the Hilltoppers as a graduate transfer. "It was a no-brainer being with coach Hank," said … [Read more...] about ‘It was a no-brainer’: Bayless to reunite with coach Plona at Western Kentucky
‘I’m looking to play my game and be myself’: Bayless enters transfer portal
Former Ankeny basketball star Braxton Bayless has entered the transfer portal. Bayless, a 6-foot-2 guard, appeared in 29 games for Niagara this season, averaging 11.5 points, 2.1 rebounds and 2.5 assists. The grad transfer will have one season of eligibility remaining. Bayless helped the Purple Eagles to a 16-16 record. He started only one game, but … [Read more...] about ‘I’m looking to play my game and be myself’: Bayless enters transfer portal
Niagara falls to Marist in MAAC quarters, but ex-Hawk Bayless plans to return
The season ended on Thursday for Braxton Bayless and the Niagara men's basketball team. However, Bayless' college career isn't over. The senior guard scored eight points and dished out four assists in the Purple Eagles' 65-59 loss to Marist in the quarterfinal round of the MAAC Championship at Jim Whalen Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, N.J. "I do … [Read more...] about Niagara falls to Marist in MAAC quarters, but ex-Hawk Bayless plans to return
Ex-Ankeny star Bayless lifts Niagara past Iona with buzzer-beating 3-pointer
Braxton Bayless is still Mr. Clutch. The former Ankeny star drained a game-winning 3-point goal with less than a second left on the clock to give Niagara a 75-73 victory at Iona in a MAAC men's basketball game on Sunday. "The shot felt real good leaving my hands. I knew it was good," said Bayless. "I was in a comfortable spot on the move." Bayless … [Read more...] about Ex-Ankeny star Bayless lifts Niagara past Iona with buzzer-beating 3-pointer
Ex-Ankeny star Bayless shines in Division I debut as Niagara falls at Maryland
Former Ankeny basketball standout Braxton Bayless made an impressive debut for Niagara. The junior guard scored a team-high 14 points in the Purple Eagles' 71-49 loss at Maryland in their season opener on Monday. He also had a team-high six rebounds and six assists. Bayless made a buzzer-beating jumper at the end of the first half to cut the Terps' … [Read more...] about Ex-Ankeny star Bayless shines in Division I debut as Niagara falls at Maryland
‘You have to take the best opportunity you get’: Bayless commits to Niagara
Braxton Bayless is headed to The Empire State. The former Ankeny basketball star, who spent the last two seasons at Indian Hills Community College in Ottumwa, verbally committed on Wednesday to play for Niagara University in Lewiston, N.Y. He will have three seasons of eligibility remaining. Bayless also had offers from Western Illinois, UMBC and … [Read more...] about ‘You have to take the best opportunity you get’: Bayless commits to Niagara
After earning all-region honors, Bayless’ season ends with one-point loss at Hutch
March Madness is over for Braxton Bayless and the Indian Hills Community College men's basketball team. The seventh-seeded Warriors dropped a 65-64 decision to No. 10 seed Northwest Florida State in the second round of the National Junior College Athletic Association DI Tournament on Tuesday at the Hutchinson (Kan.) Sports Arena. Bayless, a former Ankeny … [Read more...] about After earning all-region honors, Bayless’ season ends with one-point loss at Hutch
‘I knew it was going in’: Indian Hills wins thriller on Bayless’ 30-foot buzzer-beater
Braxton Bayless made a lot of big shots during his high school basketball career. But the former Ankeny star never hit a game-winner at the buzzer. That's exactly what he did on Saturday, making a 30-foot buzzer-beater to give Indian Hills Community College a 67-66 victory on the road at Southeastern. "No, I didn't have any of those in high school," … [Read more...] about ‘I knew it was going in’: Indian Hills wins thriller on Bayless’ 30-foot buzzer-beater
Ankeny basketball star Bayless to play for juco power Indian Hills
Ankeny basketball standout Braxton Bayless has verbally committed to play for juco powerhouse Indian Hills Community College in Ottumwa. Bayless announced his decision via Twitter last week. "100% Committed #JucoProduct #Bigger Plans," he tweeted. Bayless averaged 22.9 points and 6.6 rebounds per game while leading the Hawks to a 21-5 record and the … [Read more...] about Ankeny basketball star Bayless to play for juco power Indian Hills
Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny boys’ basketball team
It's been more than a month since the Ankeny boys' basketball team capped off an amazing postseason run by winning the Class 4A state title at Wells Fargo Arena. Man, I miss sports. The Hawks' 78-70 victory over Waukee in the championship game was played before a sparse crowd because both schools were limited to just 100 fans due to concern over spread … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny boys’ basketball team
Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Cade Davis, Ankeny boys’ tennis
Senior Cade Davis is the top returning player for the Ankeny boys' tennis team. The Wartburg recruit was the squad's No. 1 singles player as a junior, helping the Hawks to a 3-9 record. Davis was also a member of the Ankeny boys' basketball team. The Hawks captured the Class 4A state title last month. Here is some inside info on Davis: We've had … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Cade Davis, Ankeny boys’ tennis
‘I think we played in a similar way’: Ex-AHS great Sears compares Hawks’ title teams
When the Ankeny boys' basketball team went on its magical postseason run earlier this month, perhaps nobody enjoyed it more than former Ankeny great Ryan Sears. Sears, who has lived in Omaha for the last five years, watched from afar as the Hawks captured the second state title in school history. "The way they came out and played (in the Class 4A … [Read more...] about ‘I think we played in a similar way’: Ex-AHS great Sears compares Hawks’ title teams
Bayless, McCullough named to Register’s Class 4A all-state first team
Ankeny's Braxton Bayless and Ankeny Centennial's Cody McCullough racked up some more postseason honors on Friday. The two boys' basketball standouts were both named to the Class 4A all-state first team by The Des Moines Register. The duo was previously selected to the Class 4A first team by the Iowa Print Sports Writers Association. Bayless, a senior … [Read more...] about Bayless, McCullough named to Register’s Class 4A all-state first team
Bayless, McCullough, Crews, Johnson earn all-state honors from IPSWA
Four of the state's top 24 boys' basketball players in Class 4A played for either state champion Ankeny or CIML Central Conference champ Ankeny Centennial, according to the Iowa Print Sports Writers Association. Senior guard Braxton Bayless of Ankeny and senior forward Cody McCullough of Centennial were both selected to the Class 4A all-state first team … [Read more...] about Bayless, McCullough, Crews, Johnson earn all-state honors from IPSWA
‘Everybody sees us as the underdog’: Hawks prove they’re the class of 4A
Waukee's length provided a matchup problem for the Ankeny boys' basketball team in Friday's Class 4A championship game. But the Warriors faced some bigger problems of their own--like how to deal with Ankeny's speed and deadly outside shooting. The sixth-seeded Hawks completed an amazing run to the state title by making 10-of-17 3-point shots and … [Read more...] about ‘Everybody sees us as the underdog’: Hawks prove they’re the class of 4A
VIDEO: Ankeny boys reign in Class 4A with avalanche of 3-pointers
SOUTHSIDE PRIDE: Hawks soar to their 2nd boys’ basketball state championship
No doubt about it, the Ankeny boys' basketball team got hot at the right time and never cooled off. The sixth-seeded Hawks completed an amazing run to the Class 4A state title with a 78-70 victory over No. 4 Waukee in the championship game on Friday at Wells Fargo Arena. It's the program's second crown and comes on the 25th anniversary of the first one in … [Read more...] about SOUTHSIDE PRIDE: Hawks soar to their 2nd boys’ basketball state championship
‘We’re not finished yet’: Kumm, Hawks to play CIML rival Waukee for 4A crown
Ankeny's Jordan Kumm couldn't have picked a better time to break out of his shooting slump. The senior guard went 6-for-9 from 3-point range and scored 18 points to lead the sixth-seeded Hawks to a 71-57 victory over two-time defending champion Cedar Falls in the Class 4A semifinals of the boys' state basketball tournament on Thursday at Wells Fargo … [Read more...] about ‘We’re not finished yet’: Kumm, Hawks to play CIML rival Waukee for 4A crown