![Sophomore Lily Bell posing as a player in the senior assassin game. Seniors participating in the game eliminate others by squirting them with a water gun, and can wear goggles for immunity against others. “People did have to go out and buy [water] guns, but most people have the googles at home, but you don’t even have to use a gun, you can use water of any sort,” senior Gwyn Christensen said.](https://ahstalonnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/unnamed-1-1-900x1200.jpg)
![The shadows against a captivating blue are a nod to the “Catch Me If You Can” musical poster, both for this performance and the blue from the Broadway show. The detectives in this scene are at shooting practice, in preparation for when they finally encounter Frank Abagnale Jr. “We always say our motto is ‘theater is a team sport,’ and really just emphasizing to our students that everyone is welcome in the drama department. There's always a role for you, whether or not, on stage or behind the scenes, in the costume shop, in the scene shop. [There are] all sorts of different things that go into bringing a show to life. So we love our drama hawks and welcome everyone to drama,” Drama Director Mollie Jo Blahunka said.](https://ahstalonnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/cmiyc-1200x800.jpg)
![Henry, Emily (2021). People we meet on vacation [Book cover]. Berkley Books. Image used under fair use for purposes of commentary and review. Haley, Brett (2026). People we meet on vacation [Movie poster]. Movie poster courtesy of 3000 Pictures and Temple Hill Entertainment. Made by Adilyn Hoop using Canva.](https://ahstalonnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/vacay1.png)
![Lockhart, E. (2025). We fell apart [Book cover]. Delacorte Press. Image used under fair use for purposes of commentary and review. The newest book in the “We were liars” collection was released Nov. 4.](https://ahstalonnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/wefell1.png)
![A Group of PEOPEL PE students and helpers set up an obstacle course during class. The “Amazing Race” unit had started in PEOPEL PE where the students and helpers got to compete in a variety of different activities and games. “We try our best to make [inclusion] a school-wide event, but it's just so much more different when you actually engage with the students hands-on and actually get to know them as people.” Sophomore Bree Christensen said. Photo Taken by Ada McNulty.](https://ahstalonnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/unnamed-12-1200x900.jpg)
With basketball season in full swing, here is a look back at what the Ankeny Hawks have done so far this season and what is still to come.
The Ankeny boys’ basketball team is currently 4-4 after having played the top teams in the conference and winning two exciting games against cross-town rivals Ankeny Centennial, bringing the boys to 13-12 in all-time matchups against Centennial.
Having beat No. 7 Linn-Mar, Ankeny looks forward to a tough schedule coming up, hosting No. 2 Valley and No. 8 Waukee. Junior guard and forward Rio Aguirre has been prominent both on the court and on the stat sheet, setting the school record for assists in one game. Aguirre also leads the team by averaging 22 PPG (points per game) along with 7.25 rebounds and 5.25 assists.
Juniors Drew Sorenson and Kael Roush have had a stellar presence on the court with Roush providing a team-high 54.5 field goal percentage and Sorenson shooting 80 percent from the free throw line. Sophomore forward Jasani Campbell leads the team in steals on the season (12) and is one of the most exciting players to watch, keeping Hawk fans’ hopes high for future seasons.
The Ankeny Hawkettes have had a challenging opening to the season going 4-7 while remaining ranked No. 15 in the state. With a difficult schedule, the Hawkettes have had 15 matchups against multiple top 15 opponents throughout the season.
Despite a schedule of challenging opponents, the Hawkettes certainly do not lack talent. The Hawkettes have three players each netting over 100 points so far on the season: junior guard Jayla Williams leads the trio with 153 points followed closely by fellow junior guard Ainsley Kiene. The trio is rounded out by senior guard Savannah Gage, who has contributed 111 points this season while also leading the team in assists at 43.
Outside of the team leaders, there is still plenty of talent. Another standout is junior forward and center Reagan Baldwin who has started all 11 games and always been a key player for the Hawkettes, scoring 80 points so far this season. With promising sophomores and freshmen also on the roster, the future of Ankeny basketball looks bright.
