Some high school basketball teams are fortunate to have two good ballhandlers.
The Ankeny Centennial girls’ squad is blessed to have four veteran guards who can share the ballhandling duties. Seniors Cleao Murray and Elle Street along with juniors Makenna Clark and Averi Porter will form the nucleus of this year’s roster.
“Those four are the core of our team, and they give us versatility and stability,” said Centennial coach Scott DeJong, whose squad is ninth in the Class 5A preseason rankings. “We have lots of ballhandlers so that helps against pressure (defense). They are able to do many things offensively.”
The Jaguars posted a 16-3 record last season and reached the Class 5A semifinals before losing to eventual champion Waukee. All-state guard Maggie Phipps was the star of that team, averaging 17.3 points per game before moving on to Drake.
Street started all 19 games as a junior, averaging 4.3 points and 3.0 rebounds. She led Centennial with 28 steals and was named to the CIML Iowa Conference second team.
Porter started 18 games and led the Jaguars with 42 assists. She earned all-conference honorable mention after averaging 5.0 points and shooting 39.6 percent from 3-point range (21-of-53).
Clark averaged 4.9 points as a sophomore, when she was one of the team’s top reserves. She shot 34.5 percent from behind the arc (20-of-58).
Murray played in just seven games as a junior after recovering from a torn ACL. She averaged 5.7 points and 2.3 rebounds while making 8-of-17 3-pointers.
Murray, a Missouri Western recruit, looked like her old self during the Jaguars’ Hall of Pride scrimmage against Grinnell on Thursday. She made several 3-pointers in the first half alone.
“Our offense was very inconsistent, but we saw many very encouraging things we can build on,” DeJong said. “If we really grow in that area we think we can be a pretty good offensive team.”
Centennial will have to overcome the loss of senior forward Olivia Anderson, who averaged 4.4 points and 4.4 rebounds a year ago. She suffered a knee injury during volleyball and will miss the season after undergoing surgery.
“Olivia’s injury is a tough blow,” DeJong said. “She brings a good dose of competitiveness and leadership to our team, and others will need to step up to fill that void. I’m not sure of the exact number, but we have for sure had seven kids who have missed whole or parts of the season the last few years we have been at ACHS.”
Fortunately for DeJong, the Jaguars have added a talented transfer in junior post player Kennedy White. She started all 20 games for Ames last year, helping the Little Cyclones to a 9-11 mark.
White averaged 6.5 points and 4.9 rebounds. She was a second-team all-conference pick.
“Kennedy brings an inside presence that we don’t really have otherwise,” DeJong said. “Also, she’s an energetic kid who brings some enthusiasm to our team. As she gets more comfortable with how we play, we think we will see lots of growth.”
DeJong will rely on senior Ella Becker and a trio of freshmen–Ava Martin, Jaeden Pratt and Tillie Smith–to provide some depth. Becker played in nine games last season and averaged 2.3 points.
“Ella gives us some stability off the bench,” DeJong said. “Jaeden gives us some energy and is athletic, while Ava is someone who can guard the ball and Tillie is a really good shooter. We are excited about our younger players. We need those kids to make some impact in our rotation and practices.”
The Jaguars will open their season on Tuesday at Des Moines North. They will play at Urbandale on Friday.
“We have several new parts and are working on building them together,” DeJong said.
