Ankeny Fanatic

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Archives for January 2020

Centennial shortstop Gray to play baseball at Wartburg College

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Ankeny Centennial shortstop Keaton Gray has committed to play baseball for Wartburg College. The senior announced his decision via Twitter earlier this week. "I’m very excited to announce that I have committed to continue my academic and baseball career at Wartburg College," Gray tweeted. "I’m very thankful for the opportunities that I have been given … [Read more...] about Centennial shortstop Gray to play baseball at Wartburg College

Jaguars take down No. 1 Waukee, give Fontana his 400th career victory

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Bob Fontana's 400th career coaching victory is one that he'll never forget. The sixth-ranked Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team led almost the entire way and posted a 78-70 victory at No. 1 Waukee on Tuesday, allowing Fontana to reach the milestone. Afterwards, Fontana told his team outside the locker room that he'd rather have a state tournament … [Read more...] about Jaguars take down No. 1 Waukee, give Fontana his 400th career victory

No. 5 Waukee girls start fast, finish strong in win over Centennial

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A slow start doomed the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team on Tuesday. The 10th-ranked Jaguars fell behind after the first quarter, 25-7, and eventually dropped a 55-33 decision in a non-conference game at No. 5 Waukee. It was their lowest offensive output of the season and their lowest total overall since a 46-27 loss at Johnston last year. "It … [Read more...] about No. 5 Waukee girls start fast, finish strong in win over Centennial

‘We were playing uphill all night’: Ankeny boys tumble to Roughriders

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Something about the Ankeny boys' basketball team brings out the best in Des Moines Roosevelt. The Roughriders--who upset Ankeny in last year's Class 4A substate tournament--knocked off the ninth-ranked Hawks again on Tuesday in a non-conference game at Roosevelt. They posted a 65-60 victory to improve to 4-8 on the season. Ankeny's record dropped to … [Read more...] about ‘We were playing uphill all night’: Ankeny boys tumble to Roughriders

Ankeny girls snap five-game losing streak with victory at Roosevelt

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The reward finally came for the Ankeny girls' basketball team. After suffering back-to-back losses to a pair of ranked opponents by a combined five points, the Hawkettes earned a close win of their own on Tuesday with a 48-45 victory at Des Moines Roosevelt in a non-conference game. They improved their record to 6-10 while snapping a five-game losing … [Read more...] about Ankeny girls snap five-game losing streak with victory at Roosevelt

Blimpie Sub of the Week: Cade Macke, Ankeny Centennial boys’ basketball

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Senior guard Cade Macke has helped the sixth-ranked Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team to a 14-1 record. He is averaging 1.8 points per game. Macke is shooting 33.3 percent from 3-point range (5-of-15). He has scored a season-high five points on three different occasions. "The thing that stands out about Cade is that he is always there for his … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Cade Macke, Ankeny Centennial boys’ basketball

TOUGH AS NEILS: Unbeaten Centennial senior wins crown at Ed Winger Invite

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One of the reasons Ankeny Centennial wrestling coach Jay Groth wanted his team to compete in the Ed Winger Invitational was to prepare the Jaguars for the stretch run of the season. It remains to be seen how things will turn out. On Saturday, Centennial placed sixth in the 19-team field at the Urbandale tournament. The eighth-ranked Jaguars racked up … [Read more...] about TOUGH AS NEILS: Unbeaten Centennial senior wins crown at Ed Winger Invite

Busy week for Hawk wrestlers ends with win over Dowling, Dave Ewing Duals title

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The Ankeny wrestlers got some much-needed time on the mat last week. After placing third in their own Bob Sharp Invitational on Jan. 20, the Hawks celebrated their Senior Night on Thursday with a 42-33 victory over visiting Dowling Catholic. They then defeated five more opponents on Saturday to win the Dave Ewing Duals at Ankeny. "Some of our kids … [Read more...] about Busy week for Hawk wrestlers ends with win over Dowling, Dave Ewing Duals title

Ames girls top Jaguars after forcing OT on miraculous basket at buzzer

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Sometimes, the ball doesn't bounce your way. Or, the questionable call that could have gone either way doesn't go in your favor. The 10th-ranked Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team experienced both of those things Friday on the same play--a miraculous basket by Ames' Teagan Lipsey that forced overtime and eventually helped the No. 12 Little … [Read more...] about Ames girls top Jaguars after forcing OT on miraculous basket at buzzer

‘I think he’s ready for those moments’: Bayless sinks game-winner for Hawks

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Braxton Bayless has been playing like an all-stater this season for the Ankeny boys' basketball team. The senior guard delivered once again on Friday. Bayless scored a career-high 31 points, including the game-winning basket with 2 seconds left, as the ninth-ranked Hawks posted a 65-63 victory over visiting Urbandale. He is now averaging 23.7 points … [Read more...] about ‘I think he’s ready for those moments’: Bayless sinks game-winner for Hawks

McAleer’s career night helps Centennial boys pull away from Little Cyclones

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A 29-3 run that spanned both halves allowed the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team to post a 50-29 victory over visiting Ames on Friday. The sixth-ranked Jaguars trailed, 16-11, before scoring the last 10 points of the first half. They then outscored Ames in the third quarter, 16-3, to build a 37-19 advantage. "It was a slow-paced game the first … [Read more...] about McAleer’s career night helps Centennial boys pull away from Little Cyclones

Hawk swimmers win last 5 events to edge Ames in final dual meet

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Thursday's dual meet at Ames provided an opportunity for the Ankeny boys' swimming team to avenge an earlier loss. The Hawks didn't let the opportunity go to waste. Third-ranked Ankeny won the final five events to rally for an 86-84 victory over the No. 6 Little Cyclones. The Hawks finished their dual-meet season with records of 2-1 in the CIML Central … [Read more...] about Hawk swimmers win last 5 events to edge Ames in final dual meet

Hawkettes lose another heartbreaker, fall to No. 9 Urbandale in OT

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Ankeny girls' basketball coach Dru McAnelly isn't fond of moral victories. But that's exactly what his short-handed squad came away with on Friday. The Hawkettes battled ninth-ranked Urbandale into overtime before dropping a 59-57 decision at Ankeny. It was another strong effort by McAnelly's team that wasn't rewarded with a win. "That's a top-10 … [Read more...] about Hawkettes lose another heartbreaker, fall to No. 9 Urbandale in OT

Centennial boys maintain league lead; Dowling girls take over top spot

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The race for the CIML Central Conference boys' basketball title could be turning into a two-team battle. Ankeny Centennial maintained sole possession of the league lead with a 50-29 victory over visiting Ames on Friday. Ankeny remained one game behind the Jaguars as Braxton Bayless scored the winning basket in the final seconds to give the Hawks a 65-63 … [Read more...] about Centennial boys maintain league lead; Dowling girls take over top spot

Ankeny bowling teams assigned to Marshalltown district

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The Ankeny bowling teams have been assigned to District No. 3 in Class 3A by the Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union and the Iowa High School Athletic Association. The Hawks and Hawkettes will compete at Wayward Social in Marshalltown on Feb. 17. Cedar Rapids Kennedy, Marshalltown, Mason City, Southeast Polk and Waukee will be the other teams in the … [Read more...] about Ankeny bowling teams assigned to Marshalltown district

Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Trent Frandson, Ankeny boys’ swimming

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Junior Trent Frandson has helped the Ankeny boys' swimming team to a 6-1 dual record. He won all four of his events as the third-ranked Hawks posted an 86-84 victory at No. 6 Ames on Thursday. Frandson was named the state's swimmer of the year as a sophomore, when he won both the 200 and 500 freestyle events at the state meet to lead Ankeny to its first … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Trent Frandson, Ankeny boys’ swimming

Hawkettes pass ‘test of character’, but Valley girls escape with victory

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After losing to its crosstown rival on Monday, the Ankeny girls' basketball team was anxious to get back on the court. The Hawkettes didn't have to wait too long. Ankeny hosted 15th-ranked Valley on Tuesday and battled the Class 5A defending state champion down to the wire before dropping a 62-59 decision. "It was good to try to get back in the … [Read more...] about Hawkettes pass ‘test of character’, but Valley girls escape with victory

Ankeny boys rebound from loss to Jaguars, rely on defense to beat Valley

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There wasn't much time for the Ankeny boys' basketball team to prepare for Tuesday's game against visiting Valley. Still stinging from Monday's loss at sixth-ranked Ankeny Centennial, the No. 9 Hawks bounced back with a hard-fought 55-45 victory that improved their record to 10-2. Valley dropped to 7-5. "It was just a grind-it-out win for us," said … [Read more...] about Ankeny boys rebound from loss to Jaguars, rely on defense to beat Valley

Jaguars avoid letdown, convert 30-of-33 free throws in win over North

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Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball coach Bob Fontana was hoping that his team could avoid a letdown after Monday's huge victory over Ankeny. He should not have been worried. The sixth-ranked Jaguars returned to the court on Tuesday and defeated visiting Des Moines North, 85-74, in a non-conference game. They improved to 12-1 on the season, while … [Read more...] about Jaguars avoid letdown, convert 30-of-33 free throws in win over North