A year ago, Kennedy White played a key role for an Ames girls’ basketball team that won nine games.
On Friday, White got a chance to play against her former teammates.
The junior post player had 16 points, six rebounds and one block to lead seventh-ranked Ankeny Centennial to a 71-10 victory over the visiting Little Cyclones.
“I definitely enjoyed it,” said White, who was a perfect 7-for-7 from the field and 2-for-2 at the free-throw line. “The game was a little bit personal for me. I had some great years at Ames High, but I just feel like this school is a better fit for me. But it was fun to compete against them.”
Ames has fallen on hard times following White’s departure and the graduation of Division I recruits Caroline Waite and Ashley Iiams. The Little Cyclones are now 0-6 in the CIML Iowa Conference and 0-11 overall with nine of their losses by at least 30 points.
“The schedule is what it is,” said Centennial coach Scott DeJong, whose team allowed fewer than 20 points for the third time this season. “But everyone got in, and we haven’t had a chance to do that for awhile. I thought the kids who came in played well. They didn’t turn the ball over and they made some 3-pointers. Our defense stayed steady, and obviously we’re going to need that Tuesday (against Ankeny).”
Centennial held a 39-2 lead at halftime. The Jaguars scored the first 30 points before Ames made its lone basket of the first half midway through the second quarter.
Cleao Murray scored 14 points, including a 3-pointer to end the first half. Murray, Jaeden Pratt and Tillie Smith each had a pair of treys for the Jaguars, who shot 52.7 percent from the field (29-of-55).
“I thought we moved the ball well, and we were moving better, too,” DeJong said. “We did some things better than what we had been. I know it was easier to do, but it was still good to see. We were 15-of-18 from (inside the arc) the first half and didn’t turn the ball over much. Those were all good things.”
Pratt finished with eight points and 10 rebounds. Smith also scored eight points.
Averi Porter dished out three assists. Ava Martin had three steals.
Centennial improved to 4-1 in the league and 8-2 overall. The Jaguars will host No. 8 Ankeny on Tuesday with a chance to move into a first-place tie with the Hawkettes.
“Every time we play Ankeny it’s a big game,” DeJong said. “That’s how we look at it, and I’m sure that’s how they look at it, too. Both teams are rated, and that probably hasn’t happened (before). They’ve got a really good team, and their guards are really good. They’ve got some good athletes, and they’re playing well. It should be a good contest, and it should be a fun game.”
White is looking forward to playing in a Jag-Hawk showdown for the first time.
“We definitely know they’re a really good team this year,” she said. “I’m super excited to be a part of this rivalry and compete against them. It should be fun.”
