CIML Central Conference basketball standings

Ankeny Centennial’s Preston Kelling drives to the basket during Friday’s game at Ames. Kelling scored 11 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to help the Jaguars to a 63-39 victory. (Photo by Drue Wolfe)

The Ankeny Centennial and Dowling Catholic boys’ basketball teams both picked up a second road victory in CIML Central Conference play on Friday, setting up a showdown for first place when the two teams collide on Jan. 3 at Dowling.

The Jaguars remained unbeaten with a 63-39 victory at Ames. The Maroons, meanwhile, posted a 54-38 triumph at Johnston for their fifth consecutive win.

In girls’ play, fourth-ranked Johnston used a 29-point fourth quarter to rally past No. 3 Dowling, 72-70. Kendall Nead scored 24 points and Maya McDermott dished out 10 assists for the Dragons, who got a steal and layup from freshman Molly Noelck at the buzzer to move into sole possession of first place in the conference with No. 8 Ames’ loss to No. 13 Centennial.

Here are the current Central Conference standings:

GIRLS

Johnston 2-0 7-1

Urbandale 1-1 7-1

Dowling Catholic 1-1 6-2

Ames 1-1 5-3

Ankeny Centennial 1-1 4-3

Ankeny 0-2 4-4

Friday’s scores

Ankeny Centennial 50, Ames 32

Johnston 72, Dowling Catholic 70

Urbandale 65, Ankeny 50

Jan. 3 games

Ames at Ankeny

Ankeny Centennial at Dowling Catholic

Urbandale at Johnston

Jan. 4 games

Ankeny Centennial at Fort Dodge

Council Bluffs Jefferson at Urbandale

Dowling Catholic vs. Benet Academy (Ill.)

**Ankeny Centennial’s Taylor Runchey throws a pass during Friday’s game at Ames. She helped the Jaguars to a 50-32 victory. (Photo by Drue Wolfe)**

BOYS

Ankeny Centennial 2-0 6-0

Dowling Catholic 2-0 5-1

Ankeny 1-1 5-1

Ames 1-1 4-3

Urbandale 0-2 4-2

Johnston 0-2 3-3

Friday’s scores

Ankeny 64, Urbandale 50

Ankeny Centennial 63, Ames 39

Dowling Catholic 54, Johnston 38