Ankeny Fanatic

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Jaxon Smith

Ex-Hawk Smith to play basketball at Central College

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Former Ankeny basketball player Jalen Smith has found a new home in Pella. Smith, a 6-foot-2 guard, has decided to play for Central College after sitting out the 2019-20 season. "It was difficult at first, but I was trying to find a home closer to (Ankeny)," Smith said. "I was really looking hard at Simpson and Central. It was a hard decision, but I … [Read more...] about Ex-Hawk Smith to play basketball at Central College

‘I think we played in a similar way’: Ex-AHS great Sears compares Hawks’ title teams

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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

‘We’re not finished yet’: Kumm, Hawks to play CIML rival Waukee for 4A crown

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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

‘It’s just the best feeling ever’: Hawks outlast Sioux City East for trip to state

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Braxton Bayless draped the state qualifier banner around his body and beamed with joy as he pranced around the Fort Dodge gym. The senior guard had just fulfilled a lifelong dream--leading his Ankeny boys' basketball team to the Class 4A state tournament. "It's the best feeling I've had my whole career," said Bayless. "It's just the best feeling … [Read more...] about ‘It’s just the best feeling ever’: Hawks outlast Sioux City East for trip to state

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

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

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

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

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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

Ankeny boys grind out win over Railsplitters to stay unbeaten

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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

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

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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

Ankeny boys edge Little Cyclones in substate thriller

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Overcoming adversity has become a way of life for the Ankeny boys' basketball team. The Hawks, who got off to a 1-10 start this season, avenged two of those losses with a 48-46 victory at Ames in a Class 4A substate quarterfinal on Monday. They rallied from an early 10-point deficit despite playing without sophomore forward Nolan Otten, who tripped at his … [Read more...] about Ankeny boys edge Little Cyclones in substate thriller

Carlson’s late 3-point goal lifts Hawks to win over Lincoln

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When the Ankeny boys' basketball team needed a bucket on Tuesday night, the Hawks got the rock in the hands of Dillon Carlson. The junior sharpshooter responded to the challenge nearly every time. After scoring a basket at the end of the first and second quarters, Carlson saved his most dramatic buzzer-beater for last. He made a 3-point goal with about … [Read more...] about Carlson’s late 3-point goal lifts Hawks to win over Lincoln

Hawks knock off Waukee, prevent Warriors from clinching conference title

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A week ago, the Ankeny boys' basketball team knocked Ankeny Centennial out of a first-place tie in the CIML Central Conference. On Friday, the Hawks prevented Waukee from clinching at least a tie for the league title, helping their crosstown rival in the process. Dillon Carlson scored 19 points, including four late free throws to seal the victory, as … [Read more...] about Hawks knock off Waukee, prevent Warriors from clinching conference title

Ankeny teams enter Friday’s rematch at Centennial with plenty of confidence

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If Friday's basketball doubleheader at Ankeny Centennial is as entertaining as last month's rivalry games at Ankeny, then fans of the Hawks and Jaguars will be in for a treat. Both the girls' and boys' games came down to the last possession on Dec. 21, when Centennial posted a pair of narrow wins. The Jaguars escaped with a 43-41 victory in the opener as … [Read more...] about Ankeny teams enter Friday’s rematch at Centennial with plenty of confidence

Ankeny boys romp to their 3rd straight victory, keep Scarlets winless

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If the Ankeny boys' basketball team wants to qualify for the Class 4A state tournament, the Hawks are going to have to win three consecutive games during postseason play. Now they know they're capable of doing just that. Ankeny built a 30-17 halftime lead and rolled to a 67-51 victory at Des Moines East in a CIML non-conference game on Tuesday. It was … [Read more...] about Ankeny boys romp to their 3rd straight victory, keep Scarlets winless

Ankeny boys roll past Rams for their second straight victory

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After ending an eight-game losing skid, the Ankeny boys' basketball team is suddenly on a winning streak. The Hawks earned their second straight victory on Friday by defeating visiting Southeast Polk, 66-52, in a CIML Central Conference game. It was the first league win for Ankeny, which avenged an earlier overtime loss to the Rams. "It was fun," said … [Read more...] about Ankeny boys roll past Rams for their second straight victory