![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)
The first game on the path to the Casey’s Center starts tonight, Friday Feb, 27, at 7 pm at Ankeny High School as the Hawks take on the Valley Tigers in the 4A district-3 substate semifinals.
The Hawks will head into the game 11-10 against the defending champs, who have made their way through an underwhelming 2-19 season. Both teams opened the year together, with Ankeny winning both of their two meetings, and will meet again to end someone’s season.
The Hawks are coming off a hot upset victory to end their regular season against the then Number 3, currently number 4, Dowling Catholic Maroons. In the first round, the Tigers took down the Iowa City West Trojans to break a 3-game losing streak and take on their second win of the season. Valley picked up its first win against Cedar Rapids Washington after going winless for the first 16 games of the season.
Thursday night’s winner will face the victor of the Waukee Northwest Wolves and Iowa City Liberty Lightning matchup on March 3rd.
Things to look for:
The Hawks took on the Tigers at home to open the season and then matched up again on West Des Moines soil; the Hawks took the victory in both matchups. The closest of the two matchups came on opening night, where the Hawks put up 58 points to the Tigers’ 52.
Since that matchup, the Hawks have been led in scoring by senior guard Rio Aguirre, who has tallied 382 points thus far in the season and has joined the career 1,000-point club. Meanwhile, Valley has been led by a junior guard, Jayden Adaway, who has garnered 205 points over the course of the season.
Ankeny has struggled with defense over the course of the year, and a poor first-round defensive showing could spell disaster for the Hawks’ postseason hopes.
While the Tigers have had a less-than-successful season coming off a championship season, they still have produced a few close games, punching well above their weight class on numerous occasions.
Things to remember:
This game is win-or-stay-home and will set the precedent for the Hawks; a strong performance will carry them into a matchup, presumably against the top seed, Waukee Northwest.
Watch for Valley’s speed and see how Ankeny’s defense holds up. The key to a win for the Hawks is taking the lead quickly and keeping it; otherwise, it could turn into a draining back-and-forth game. This game is sure to be an entertaining matchup with lots at stake.
Key Players:
Valley Players :
Junior Guard Jayden Adaway – 10.3 PPG, 87 RBD, 51 AST, 17 STL, 13 BLK, 205 points on the season
Junior Guard Keane Jorgensen – 9.9 PPG, 47 RBD, 36 AST, and 198 points on the season
Senior Guard Sam Strawn – 5.6 PPG, with 111 points on the season
Senior Forward Eddie Hybels – 5.7 PPG, 94 RBD, 16 AST, 10 STL, with 109 points on the season.
Senior F/G Colton Roemmich – 6.2 PPG, 57 RBD, with 99 points on the season.
Ankeny Players :
Senior Guard/Forward Rio Aguirre – 18.2 PPG, 115 RBD, 86 AST, 27 STL, with 382 points on the season
Senior Center Max Allison – 3.9 PPG, 101 RBD, 5 AST, 3 STL, 42 BLK, with 81 points on the season
Senior Forward Drew Sorenson – 7.5 PPG, 60 RBD, 74 AST, 16 STL, with 149 points on the season
Junior Guard Jasani Campbell – 15.6 PPG, 55 RBD, 28 AST, 24 STL, with 296 points on the season
Sophomore Guard Keyon Ford – 2.7 PPG, 48 RBD, 11 AST, 10 STL, 3 BLK with 56 points on the season
