Ankeny Fanatic

Your Ankeny Sports Resource

Archives for March 2020

SOUTHSIDE PRIDE: Hawks soar to their 2nd boys’ basketball state championship

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No doubt about it, the Ankeny boys' basketball team got hot at the right time and never cooled off. The sixth-seeded Hawks completed an amazing run to the Class 4A state title with a 78-70 victory over No. 4 Waukee in the championship game on Friday at Wells Fargo Arena. It's the program's second crown and comes on the 25th anniversary of the first one in … [Read more...] about SOUTHSIDE PRIDE: Hawks soar to their 2nd boys’ basketball state championship

‘He’s an animal’: McCullough sets school record with 24 rebounds in Jaguars’ loss

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Bob Fontana got a little choked up following Friday's Class 4A consolation game at the boys' state basketball tournament. He knew he had coached the seniors on his Ankeny Centennial squad for the last time. "It's real tough with these guys because they've been so good," Fontana said following the Jaguars' 65-58 loss to Cedar Falls at Wells Fargo Arena. … [Read more...] about ‘He’s an animal’: McCullough sets school record with 24 rebounds in Jaguars’ loss

Jaguars tumble to Cedar Falls, finish 4th in their state tournament debut

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The Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team placed fourth in the Class 4A state tournament. The top-seeded Jaguars lost to two-time defending champion Cedar Falls, 65-58, in the consolation final on Friday at Wells Fargo Arena. They finished the best season in school history with a 24-3 record. "I'm very, very proud of these guys," said Centennial … [Read more...] about Jaguars tumble to Cedar Falls, finish 4th in their state tournament debut

The Madness ends: Here are Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for Friday’s games

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The boys' Class 4A state basketball tournament has included a little bit of everything. Thrilling finishes. Outstanding individual performances. And, of course, a heavy dose of novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Friday's games will be played with spectator restrictions due to the national pandemic. But, at least the games will go on. So who is going to … [Read more...] about The Madness ends: Here are Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for Friday’s games

‘We’re not finished yet’: Kumm, Hawks to play CIML rival Waukee for 4A crown

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Ankeny's Jordan Kumm couldn't have picked a better time to break out of his shooting slump. The senior guard went 6-for-9 from 3-point range and scored 18 points to lead the sixth-seeded Hawks to a 71-57 victory over two-time defending champion Cedar Falls in the Class 4A semifinals of the boys' state basketball tournament on Thursday at Wells Fargo … [Read more...] about ‘We’re not finished yet’: Kumm, Hawks to play CIML rival Waukee for 4A crown

‘They found a weakness in our defense’: Waukee boys avenge loss to Jaguars

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When the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team posted a 78-70 victory at Waukee on Jan. 28, the Jaguars looked like a legitimate state championship contender. The loss, though, may have benefited the Warriors as well. Waukee has since reeled off 13 consecutive wins and avenged that loss by defeating top-seeded Centennial, 68-62, in the Class 4A … [Read more...] about ‘They found a weakness in our defense’: Waukee boys avenge loss to Jaguars

Hawks advance to Class 4A final; Centennial will play for 3rd place

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There won't be a Jag-Hawk showdown in the boys' Class 4A state basketball tournament. Both Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial had a chance to advance to Friday's title game, but only the Hawks came through with a victory in Thursday's semifinals at Wells Fargo Arena. Sixth-seeded Ankeny made 12-of-22 3-pointers and rolled to a 71-57 win over two-time … [Read more...] about Hawks advance to Class 4A final; Centennial will play for 3rd place

An all-Ankeny final? Here are Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for 4A semifinals

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As of now, the Class 4A semifinal games are still on for Thursday night at Wells Fargo Arena, but things can change in a hurry with the coronavirus. The Big Ten and Big 12 basketball tournaments have already been cancelled today. But, if the show goes on, it'll be an historic night for the community of Ankeny. Both Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial have … [Read more...] about An all-Ankeny final? Here are Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for 4A semifinals

‘He played a hell of a game’: Bayless overcomes Iowa City West’s early lead

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Iowa City West's Marcus Morgan thought his team had a solid defensive strategy to slow down Ankeny's Braxton Bayless. He quickly discovered that the plan was fruitless. Bayless poured in a career-high 41 points, including 17-of-19 free throws, to lead the sixth-seeded Hawks to a 68-54 victory over No. 3 Iowa City West in the Class 4A quarterfinals of … [Read more...] about ‘He played a hell of a game’: Bayless overcomes Iowa City West’s early lead

‘It’s just another game for me’: Bayless pours in 41, leads Hawks into semifinals

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Braxton Bayless and the Ankeny boys' basketball team will be joining their crosstown rival in the Class 4A semifinals on Thursday night. Bayless poured in a career-high 41 points, including 17-of-19 free throws, to lead the sixth-seeded Hawks to a 68-54 victory over No. 3 Iowa City West in the quarterfinals on Wednesday morning at Wells Fargo Arena. He … [Read more...] about ‘It’s just another game for me’: Bayless pours in 41, leads Hawks into semifinals

‘We survived and advanced’: Jaguars hold off Davenport North in quarterfinals

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The fans of the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team held their collective breath in the final seconds of the Jaguars' first state tournament game ever. Eighth-seeded Davenport North had a chance to pull off a huge upset at the buzzer, but a 3-point shot by Mahki Jacobs bounced off the rim as time expired and top-ranked Centennial escaped with a 53-51 … [Read more...] about ‘We survived and advanced’: Jaguars hold off Davenport North in quarterfinals

Blimpie Sub of the Week: Ryan Crandall, Ankeny boys’ basketball

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Sophomore forward Ryan Crandall is one of the top reserves for the Ankeny boys' basketball team. He is shooting 54.1 percent from the field and 37.5 percent from 3-point range. Crandall is averaging 5.7 points and 4.5 rebounds per game. He scored nine points and grabbed five rebounds in the Hawks' 73-67 victory over Sioux City East in a Class 4A substate … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Ryan Crandall, Ankeny boys’ basketball

Jaguars survive Davenport North’s upset bid, will play Waukee in semifinals

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Davenport North's Mahki Jacobs missed a 3-pointer at the buzzer and top-ranked Ankeny Centennial held on for a 53-51 victory in the Class 4A quarterfinals of the boys' state basketball tournament on Tuesday night at Wells Fargo Arena. "I was pretty scared on that last shot," said Centennial junior Jaron Crews. "I was guarding him, and from my position it … [Read more...] about Jaguars survive Davenport North’s upset bid, will play Waukee in semifinals

State tourney preview: Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for the Class 4A quarterfinals

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This could be one of the most wide-open boys' Class 4A state basketball tournaments in recent memory. Top-seeded Ankeny Centennial might be considered a slight favorite to win the crown, but several other teams in the field are legitimate contenders to capture the title, including sixth-seeded Ankeny. When the quarterfinal games get under way on … [Read more...] about State tourney preview: Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for the Class 4A quarterfinals

Burns named to Class 5A second team; Pitz earns third-team honors

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Ankeny Centennial's Meg Burns and Ankeny's Kayla Pitz were among 13 girls' basketball players from the Central Iowa Metropolitan League to earn all-state honors from the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association. Burns, a senior guard, was selected to the Class 5A second team. She led the Jaguars to a 13-10 record this season. Burns averaged 12.2 points per game … [Read more...] about Burns named to Class 5A second team; Pitz earns third-team honors

Strait helps Truman State to GLVC crown, NCAA Tournament berth

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Former Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball standout Hunter Strait won't get a chance to watch the Jaguars in this week's Class 4A state tournament at Wells Fargo Arena. He's got a big tournament of his own to prepare for. Strait, a sophomore guard at Truman State, helped the Bulldogs to a 53-52 victory over Missouri-St. Louis in the championship game of … [Read more...] about Strait helps Truman State to GLVC crown, NCAA Tournament berth