![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)
Class 4A substate brackets were posted Monday, Feb. 17 and the Ankeny Hawks boys basketball team was able to secure a number 2 seed in the 4A substate bracket 8 with two games remaining in the regular season. The 10-9 Hawks are set to finish the regular season against 7-11 Urbandale on Tuesday, Feb. 18 and the No. 4 ranked Waukee Northwest Wolves on Thursday, Feb. 20.
The Hawks have had some notable games this season, with wins over ranked Linn-Mar, Johnston, and Dowling Catholic. They have also had two very close games with current No. 3 Valley, the number one seed in substate eight.
First matchup
The Hawks will play the winner of the DCG (Dallas Center-Grimes) Mustangs and the Fort Dodge Dodgers on Friday, February 28 at Ankeny High School. DCG is 15-5 on the season and is 11-0 in the Little Hawkeye conference this year. The Mustangs have two games left at Council Bluffs Lincoln and at home against Ballard. The Dodgers are 4-16 on the year and have one game remaining at Perry High School against the Perry Bluejays.
Ankeny could face a familiar foe in DCG, as the Hawks were able to pull off a 50-48 win over the Mustangs. Junior Rio Aguirre was a large contributor with 24 points for the Hawks during the January 21 matchup. Senior Kyle Cason played well for the Mustangs with 20 points and 11 rebounds for a double-double in the loss.
Players to watch
Junior Rio Aguirre has been huge for the Hawks this season. Aguirre is averaging a CIML high of 19.7 points per game and has had multiple 30-point performances this season. Aside from scoring, his 5.1 assists per game rank second in the conference. Aguirre will look to help the Hawks advance through their substrate bracket to get back to the state tournament.
For DCG, Kyle Cason has been their best scorer, with 21.9 points per game. The 6’ 2” senior also leads the team in rebounds with 7.7 per game. Tate Perrin has also been playing well for the Mustangs this season, averaging 10.6 points and three assists per game.
The Dodgers also have some strong players in senior Cade Westerhoff and senior Carter Woodruff. Westerhoff leads the team in points with 13.7 per game while Woodruff adds 8.8. Westerhoff grabs an average of 7.3 rebounds while Woodruff leads the team with 3.3 assists.
Also for the Hawks, expect junior Drew Sorensen to have an impact. Sorensen is averaging 7.5 points and 4.5 rebounds.
Looking Ahead
On the other side of 4A Substate 8, there are three possible matchups for the Hawks. No. 3 Valley will take on the winner of Lewis Central and Southeast Polk. The Hawks have already faced Valley twice this season and have taken two losses. The first matchup was a 76-65 loss for the Hawks, and the second game came down to the wire with Valley pulling off a 64-60 win in the Hawk’s Nest.
Southeast Polk is another CIML member and has also faced the Hawks twice thus far. Ankeny pulled off the first win at Southeast Polk 74-68, but fell at home 74-36. The Rams are sitting in eighth place of the CIML with one game remaining at Ankeny Centennial.
Lewis Central has had a solid season so far with a 12-7 record while going 9-1 in the Hawkeye Ten conference. They are led by freshman Carter Thielen, who averages just over 14 points per game along with 5.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists.
Wrap Up
The Hawks will have to wait to see who they will face in the substate semifinal matchup but will look to survive and advance in some tight matchups to reach Wells Fargo again.
