#1 Dragons top #10 Waukee Northwest 76-42
30 JAN 24 Johnston IA The Dragon Girls (18-0) topped Waukee Northwest (8-9) 76-42 in a Tuesday night CIML clash at Johnston High School. Johnston was celebrating their educator impact night. Players picked a teacher who has impacted their lives. #10 Waukee Northwest played four games against CIML conference opponents before playing Johnston, #9 Valley (49-42), and #11 Southeast Polk (51-44); both of those games were wins for the Northwest; #4 Waukee (64-61); and #9 Ankeny (50-45); both of those games were losses. #1 Johnston prevailed with a nail-biter win over #5 Ankeny Centennial (64-59). Junior Amani Jenkins collected her 1,000th career point in the win, scoring 16 points. Senior Aili Tanke collected 12 points, and sophomore Jaliyah Kinnetz also collected 14 points.
Dragons drop a 37-36 contest against Waukee Northwest
30 JAN 24 Johnston IA The Dragon Boys (9-7) dropped a 37-36 CIML conference game Tuesday night at Johnston High School. Johnston was also celebrating their educator impact night. Waukee Northwest topped Ankeny (62-49); they also topped Southeast Polk (67-45). Johnston topped Waukee Northwest the last time these two CIML opponents played (51-46). Northwest sophomore Landon Davis put up 20 points in the Waukee win. Johnston Senior Trovary Cavil put up 18 points in the loss for the Dragons. He also collected 1 block, 2 steals, and 5 defensive rebounds. Johnston came back from a 10-point deficit to tie the game with a minute to go, but a late Northwest free throw would end up being the final laugh in this hard-fought game.
“We defended them well for the most part. But did not take care of the ball at times. In a low scoring game like that you have to value the basketball and take care of it,” said Johnston head coach Courtney Henderson following the 37-36 loss to Waukee NW.
#1 Dragons Secure a 72-59 win over #4 Waukee
2 FEB 24 Johnston IA The Dragon Girls (19-0) secured a 72-59 win over #4 Waukee (14-4) in a Friday night CIML conference clash at Johnston High School. Johnston was celebrating Senior Night, and following the conclusion of the girls game, they recognized both the girls and boys as seniors. Waukee came into this CIML clash and won three games against CIML-ranked opponents, #10 Waukee Northwest (64-61) and Ankeny Centennial (64-59); both of those were wins. #3 Dowling Catholic (43-31) was their only loss in their last five games prior to facing Johnston. Johnston Senior Aili Tanke put up a total of 23 points, going 7 for 9 on FG, 3 for 4 on 3PT, 6 for 8 on FT, collecting 6 rebounds, 3 offensive, 3 defensive, and 1 steal.
Dragons Upset #5 Waukee 66-45
2 FEB 24 Johnston IA The Dragon Boys (10-7) upset #5 Waukee (13-6) 66-45 in a Friday night CIML Conference game at Johnston High School. Johnston was also celebrating Senior Night and Box Out Childhood Cancer Awareness. #5 Waukee beat Notable CIML’s Waukee Northwest (56-35) and Ankeny Centennial (70-56). Johnston was looking to rebound following a 37-36 loss to Waukee NW. Johnston held a 28-11 lead at halftime. Junior Jalen Richardson had a breakout game, collecting 19 points, going 7 for 9 on FG, 4 for 6 on 3PT, and 1 for 2 on FT. He also collected 5 defensive rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block in the win. Sophomore Tino Daye also had a breakout game, collecting 15 points, going 6 for 9 on FG, 3 for 4 on 3PT, collecting 1 rebound, 3 assists, and collecting 1 block in the win.
“We took good care of the ball and defended them well, I thought we handled their pressure a lot better this time around,” said Johnston head coach Courtney Henderson following the victory over #5 Waukee.
