Ankeny Fanatic

Your Ankeny Sports Resource

Archives for February 2022

Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for the Jag-Hawk rematches on basketball court

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A month ago, the Jag-Hawk basketball doubleheader produced a pair of games that weren't as close as many people expected them to be. The Ankeny Centennial girls' team built an 11-point halftime lead and cruised to a 57-37 victory over the Hawkettes. Then, in the boys' game, Ankeny allowed just 10 points in the first half and rolled to a 58-48 win over the … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for the Jag-Hawk rematches on basketball court

Hawk bowlers place 3rd at conference meet; Depleted Hawkettes finish 4th

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The Ankeny boys' bowling team rolled a season-high score of 2,664 en route to a third-place finish in the CIML Iowa Conference meet on Thursday at Wayward Social in Marshalltown. The Hawks finished 37 pins ahead of Mason City, which had defeated Ankeny by nearly 300 pins earlier this season. Marshalltown won the four-team meet with a 3,054 total, … [Read more...] about Hawk bowlers place 3rd at conference meet; Depleted Hawkettes finish 4th

ON TO STATE: Hawk matmen qualify for duals tournament for first time since 2013

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The Ankeny wrestling program has made tremendous strides under coach Jack Wignall in the last few years. The Hawks placed fifth in the Class 3A state tournament last season. It was their highest finish under Wignall, who took over the program in 2013. There was one goal, however, that Ankeny had yet to reach under Wignall. The Hawks had never qualified … [Read more...] about ON TO STATE: Hawk matmen qualify for duals tournament for first time since 2013

Centennial wrestlers top Norwalk at regional dual, then fall to No. 3 Wolves

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A week ago, the Ankeny Centennial wrestling team closed out the regular season with a 39-35 loss to Waukee Northwest. The two squads met again on Wednesday with a lot more at stake. In the final of a regional dual at Northwest, the third-ranked Wolves posted a 45-21 victory over No. 13 Centennial to qualify for the state duals tournament. "We didn't … [Read more...] about Centennial wrestlers top Norwalk at regional dual, then fall to No. 3 Wolves

Hawks advance to state duals tourney; Jaguars ousted by Waukee Northwest

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The Ankeny wrestling team is headed to the state duals tournament for the first time since the split into two high schools. The Hawks, who are fourth in the Iowa Wrestling Coaches Association Class 3A dual team rankings, posted a 39-25 victory over No. 19 Urbandale in a regional final on Wednesday at Ankeny. They raised their record to 16-2 on the … [Read more...] about Hawks advance to state duals tourney; Jaguars ousted by Waukee Northwest

Centennial boys pull away in 4th quarter for 49-40 victory over Dowling

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The Dowling Catholic boys' basketball team entered Tuesday's non-conference game at Ankeny Centennial with a 6-11 record. Centennial coach Bob Fontana wouldn't let his players be fooled by the Maroons' .353 winning percentage. "In the latest BC Moore rankings, Dowling had the toughest schedule in the state," Fontana said. "They've lost to a lot of … [Read more...] about Centennial boys pull away in 4th quarter for 49-40 victory over Dowling

Centennial earns No. 1 seed in Region 2; Hawkettes are No. 2 seed in Region 3

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The Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team appears to have a favorable path to the Class 5A state tournament. The road to Wells Fargo Arena looks more daunting for crosstown rival Ankeny. The Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union announced its Class 5A postseason pairings on Wednesday. Third-ranked Centennial is the No. 1 seed in Region 2, while No. … [Read more...] about Centennial earns No. 1 seed in Region 2; Hawkettes are No. 2 seed in Region 3

‘It was the craziest deal’: Hoover stuns Hawks on Imani’s OT buzzer-beater

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An unlikely hero emerged for the Des Moines Hoover boys' basketball team on Tuesday. Senior Justin Imani, a 5-foot 7 guard, scored the winning basket at the buzzer to give the host Huskies a 53-51 overtime victory against sixth-ranked Ankeny in a non-conference game. The Hawks (14-4) lost to an unranked opponent for the first time. Their other losses … [Read more...] about ‘It was the craziest deal’: Hoover stuns Hawks on Imani’s OT buzzer-beater

White’s perfect shooting night leads Jaguars past Dowling in top-5 showdown

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With each victory, the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team appears to be more and more ready for postseason play. The third-ranked Jaguars extended their winning streak to 12 games with a 41-31 triumph over No. 5 Dowling Catholic in a non-conference game on Tuesday. Fans of both teams packed into the Centennial gym for the top-five showdown. "The … [Read more...] about White’s perfect shooting night leads Jaguars past Dowling in top-5 showdown

Hawks earn No. 1 seed in Substate 1; Jaguars are No. 2 seed in Substate 2

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The sixth-ranked Ankeny boys' basketball team has been awarded the No. 1 seed in Class 4A Substate 1 by the Iowa High School Athletic Association, while No. 10 Ankeny Centennial is the No. 2 seed in Substate 2. Both teams will receive a first-round bye before hosting a semifinal game on Friday, Feb. 25 at 7 p.m. Ankeny (14-4) will host the winner of a … [Read more...] about Hawks earn No. 1 seed in Substate 1; Jaguars are No. 2 seed in Substate 2

‘They’re in a different league’: Dragons roll past Ankeny despite Jacks’ 21 points

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The Class 5A regional girls' basketball pairings are expected to be announced in the next couple of days. Ankeny coach Dru McAnelly is probably hoping not to see top-ranked Johnston in the Hawkettes' bracket. The host Dragons improved their record to 19-0 with a 79-49 victory over No. 12 Ankeny in a non-conference game on Monday. Only one opponent, No. … [Read more...] about ‘They’re in a different league’: Dragons roll past Ankeny despite Jacks’ 21 points

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Jackson Snyder, Centennial boys’ hoops

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Senior guard Jackson Snyder has helped the 10th-ranked Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team to a 9-7 record. He is averaging 9.4 points and 2.8 rebounds per game while shooting 35.7 percent from 3-point range (15-of-42). Snyder scored 15 points on Friday in the Jaguars' 44-37 loss at top-ranked Ames. He was a perfect 6-for-6 from the field, including … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Jackson Snyder, Centennial boys’ hoops

‘I knew it was going in’: Indian Hills wins thriller on Bayless’ 30-foot buzzer-beater

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Braxton Bayless made a lot of big shots during his high school basketball career. But the former Ankeny star never hit a game-winner at the buzzer. That's exactly what he did on Saturday, making a 30-foot buzzer-beater to give Indian Hills Community College a 67-66 victory on the road at Southeastern. "No, I didn't have any of those in high school," … [Read more...] about ‘I knew it was going in’: Indian Hills wins thriller on Bayless’ 30-foot buzzer-beater

Hawk swimmers place 2nd at district meet, qualify for state in every event

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For the first time in five years, the Ankeny boys' swimming team didn't win the district title. The eighth-ranked Hawks placed second in Saturday's district meet at Southeast Polk with 435 points. No. 6 Valley won eight of the 11 events and captured the overall crown with 512 points. Still, Ankeny qualified for next week's state meet in every … [Read more...] about Hawk swimmers place 2nd at district meet, qualify for state in every event

Without Lipsey, Little Cyclones hold off Centennial to clinch share of CIML crown

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Bob Fontana wasn't sure how much his Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team had improved since the Jaguars lost to top-ranked Ames, 58-38, a month ago. Friday's rematch at Ames produced some mixed results. No. 10 Centennial battled Ames down to the wire before dropping a 44-37 decision, but the Little Cyclones earned the victory without their … [Read more...] about Without Lipsey, Little Cyclones hold off Centennial to clinch share of CIML crown

‘We’re moving in the right direction’: AHS boys rout Mason City, improve to 14-3

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When the Ankeny boys' basketball team posted a 70-56 win at Mason City on Jan. 7, the Hawks didn't pull away until the fourth quarter. Friday's rematch between the two squads at Ankeny was decided well before then. The sixth-ranked Hawks held a 37-21 lead at halftime, then outscored Mason City in the third quarter, 24-10, to build a 61-31 advantage. … [Read more...] about ‘We’re moving in the right direction’: AHS boys rout Mason City, improve to 14-3

Hawkettes earn shot to play for league crown with victory over Mason City

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There was a lot at stake when the Ankeny girls' basketball team played at Ankeny Centennial last month. Now, Friday's rematch at Ankeny will carry even more importance. The 12th-ranked Hawkettes kept their CIML Iowa Conference title hopes alive with a 61-40 victory over visiting Mason City on Friday. They can earn a share of the crown by defeating No. … [Read more...] about Hawkettes earn shot to play for league crown with victory over Mason City

‘We’re just trying to get better’: Jaguars roll past Ames, clinch share of CIML title

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Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball coach Scott DeJong isn't too worried about the CIML Iowa Conference race. He's more concerned about the bigger picture. "We're just trying to get better and if the conference (title) comes along the way, that's great," DeJong said. The third-ranked Jaguars clinched at least a share of the league crown with a 53-15 … [Read more...] about ‘We’re just trying to get better’: Jaguars roll past Ames, clinch share of CIML title

Rhoads leaves Ohio State, lands job as defensive coordinator at Gulf Shores High

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Ankeny native Paul Rhoads has landed a new coaching gig. The former Iowa State head football coach has been named the defensive coordinator at Gulf Shores High School in Alabama. His hiring was approved by the Gulf Shores City Board of Education on Thursday night. Rhoads replaces Brian VanGorder as the Dolphins' defensive coordinator. Both Rhoads and … [Read more...] about Rhoads leaves Ohio State, lands job as defensive coordinator at Gulf Shores High