Deep, talented Hawks give Petersen plenty of options

After making some tremendous strides last year, the Ankeny boys’ basketball team could be poised to take another huge leap this season.

At least one rival coach considers the Hawks to be among the favorites in the 12-team Central Iowa Conference.

“On paper, I think you’re looking at Valley, Dowling Catholic and Ankeny,” said Ankeny Centennial coach Bob Fontana. “That’s what the coaches are saying anyway.”

Ankeny posted a 10-13 record a year ago despite suffering an eight-game losing streak midway through the season. The Hawks went 2-4 in the CIML Eastern Division, but one of their wins was a 50-49 thriller over visiting Centennial, when Conor Riordan made a jumper with 9 seconds left to give Ankeny its first victory in four tries against the Jaguars.

Riordan, a senior guard, has returned along with many of the team’s key players. Fellow seniors Trystan Cummins, Tyler Inthalangsy, Riley McCoy, Chris McLeod, Jonah Plummer, Tanner Rinker and Joel Roberts are also back along with junior Drew Maschoff.

“It’s been a couple of years since we’ve had so many returning kids who understand what the program is all about and what we’re trying to do,” said Ankeny coach John Petersen. “We will have a lot of kids who can contribute this year. We have a really solid nucleus coming back, and we’re going to have the luxury of maybe changing the lineup every game depending on who we’re playing. We can maybe go a little bigger or we can go a little faster. It’s really nice as the coach to have those options.”

Riordan averaged a team-high 13.5 points per game and also led Ankeny with 47 assists, 40 steals and six blocks. He placed second on the squad with 23 3-point goals.

Riordan was named to the CIC second team and was also selected to the Eastern Division first team. He was named Ankeny’s Most Valuable Player for the second straight year and was also a repeat selection as the Hawks’ Best Defensive Player.

“Conor’s been our leader the last two seasons,” Petersen said. “He’s a solid leader and really just a great kid.”

Maschoff, a guard, averaged 6.5 points and led the team with 28 3-pointers. He shot 43.1 percent from behind the arc.

Maschoff, who was named to the Eastern Division second team, has become a different player in the offseason. He showed off his improved athleticism at the jamboree on Nov. 21 by throwing down a pair of dunks.

“That’s how he’s grown since the end of last year,” Petersen said. “We saw it this summer, and then it’s even gotten better between the summer and now. Athletically and basketball-wise, he’s really grown a lot. He can jump, and he’s just a special athlete.”

Plummer and Rinker will also see some playing time in the backcourt along with Colin Shannon. Plummer averaged 4.4 points and made 12 3-pointers last year, while Rinker averaged 2.2 points.

Cummins, a forward, averaged 6.7 points and a team-high 4.5 rebounds. He was named the team’s Best Rebounder.

“Trystan is another one of our leaders,” Petersen said. “He was a 50 percent 3-point shooter last year, so he’s a tough matchup for our opponents because he can take it off the dribble, too.”

McLeod, a forward, averaged 4.4 points and 3.3 rebounds. He received all-division honorable mention along with Cummins.

McCoy, a forward, averaged 6.8 points while contributing 15 3-pointers and 33 assists. He has verbally committed to play for Grand View.

“Riley went out for football this year for the first time, and he spent so much time in the weight room,” Petersen said. “He’s a lot stronger, and he’s one of our leaders.”

Inthalangsy and Roberts are the team’s primary post players. Inthalangsy was named the team’s Most Improved Player after averaging 3.1 points and 3.3 rebounds a year ago, but he is currently sidelined by a punctured lung that he suffered during gym class. The 6-foot-7 Roberts averaged 3.2 points and 2.1 rebounds.

“We’re not center-dominated,” Petersen said. “We can go big when we have Joel in the lineup, but otherwise we’ll be more of a smaller and quicker team for the most part.”

The Hawks will open their season on Tuesday with a game at Des Moines Roosevelt. They will host Mason City on Friday.

“The worst part of my job will be trying to get minutes for everyone who deserves them, because we’ve got a lot of kids who can play,” Petersen said.