Ankeny Fanatic

Your Ankeny Sports Resource

Archives for March 2023

New head coach Mullen inherits deep, talented Ankeny boys’ track squad

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The new head coach of the Ankeny boys' track team brings a lot of experience to the program. Jordan Mullen was a standout hurdler at Iowa who won two Big Ten titles and was a two-time all-American. He previously coached at Atlantic, where he guided the Trojans to three consecutive Hawkeye Ten crowns and led the team to a pair of top-three finishes in the … [Read more...] about New head coach Mullen inherits deep, talented Ankeny boys’ track squad

Cold shooting, foul trouble prove costly for Jaguars in loss to No. 3 Waukee NW

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Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball coach Bob Fontana tried to look on the bright side Wednesday following his team's season-ending loss at Wells Fargo Arena. "We can be sad that we didn't win today, but let's be dang glad that it happened because you'd much rather have your season end here than before you get here," said Fontana. "This is a resilient … [Read more...] about Cold shooting, foul trouble prove costly for Jaguars in loss to No. 3 Waukee NW

CLASS 4A QUARTERFINAL: Waukee Northwest 55, Ankeny Centennial 37

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The third time was not a charm for the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team. After losing twice to third-ranked Waukee Northwest during the regular season, the No. 10 Jaguars dropped a 55-37 decision to their CIML Conference rival in a Class 4A quarterfinal on Wednesday at Wells Fargo Arena. The Wolves (22-2) had won the first two meetings by scores of … [Read more...] about CLASS 4A QUARTERFINAL: Waukee Northwest 55, Ankeny Centennial 37

Pitz earns repeat all-state honors from IGCA; Gage, Pratt also recognized

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Ankeny basketball standout Jenna Pitz has received all-state honors from the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association for the second straight year. Pitz, a senior guard, was a repeat selection to the Class 5A third team. She was joined on that squad by sophomore forward Jaeden Pratt of Ankeny Centennial. Pitz's teammate, Savannah Gage, was named to the Class 5A … [Read more...] about Pitz earns repeat all-state honors from IGCA; Gage, Pratt also recognized

Boys’ state preview: Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for the Class 4A quarterfinals

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Last week, top-ranked Pleasant Valley capped off an undefeated season by winning the girls' Class 5A state basketball title. Now, the No. 1 Cedar Rapids Kennedy boys' team will try to accomplish the same feat. The Class 4A tournament gets under way Wednesday at Wells Fargo Arena. Whichever team cuts down the nets on Friday night will have to win three … [Read more...] about Boys’ state preview: Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for the Class 4A quarterfinals

‘We have some talented individuals’: Jaguars need to stay healthy, be patient

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Two of the returning state qualifiers for the Ankeny Centennial boys' track team are still busy playing for the boys' basketball squad. Juniors Drake Dittmar and Connor Welsch are both reserve guards for the Jaguars, who will face Waukee Northwest in a Class 4A quarterfinal on Wednesday at 12:15 p.m. at Wells Fargo Arena. Welsch has played in all 23 … [Read more...] about ‘We have some talented individuals’: Jaguars need to stay healthy, be patient

YOUTH MOVEMENT: Gage, Pratt among 6 sophs to earn Class 5A all-state honors

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The future looks very bright for Class 5A girls' basketball in the state of Iowa. Six sophomores and a pair of freshmen were among the players named to the Class 5A all-state teams by the Iowa Print Sports Writers Association, who selected the squads during a meeting on Saturday in conjunction with a panel of coaches. Ankeny star Savannah Gage and … [Read more...] about YOUTH MOVEMENT: Gage, Pratt among 6 sophs to earn Class 5A all-state honors

A TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE: Fontana visits with pair of Ankeny legends

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Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball coach Bob Fontana has been busy preparing his team for this week's Class 4A state tournament, but he still took some time on Sunday to visit Barney Alleman and Keith Hildreth, two former Ankeny players who played in three consecutive state tournaments in 1948-50. A third former player, Vern Herring, was unable to make it. … [Read more...] about A TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE: Fontana visits with pair of Ankeny legends

Simpson’s Dunwoody named ARC Pitcher of the Week after tossing gem

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Simpson College freshman Easton Dunwoody has been named the American Rivers Conference Pitcher of the Week after earning his first collegiate victory on the mound. Dunwoody, a former Ankeny standout, made his second career start in Saturday's second game, helping the Storm to a 4-1 win over St. Olaf. It was the team's first triumph of the … [Read more...] about Simpson’s Dunwoody named ARC Pitcher of the Week after tossing gem

‘We’ve got some great athletes’: Jaguars boast 15 returning state qualifiers

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With 120 athletes on the roster, the Ankeny Centennial girls' track team boasts a lot of depth in multiple areas. New head coach Tyler Asbe, who spent the last two seasons as an assistant for the Ankeny girls' team, likes what he has seen thus far from his squad. "The practices are going really well," said Asbe. "The girls have come to practice with … [Read more...] about ‘We’ve got some great athletes’: Jaguars boast 15 returning state qualifiers

Unanimous pick Gage earns all-league first-team honors along with Clark, Pratt

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Ankeny sophomore guard Savannah Gage has been named to the CIML Conference girls' basketball first team along with a pair of Ankeny Centennial players--senior guard Makenna Clark and sophomore forward Jaeden Pratt. Gage, who led the Hawkettes to a 12-11 record this season, was one of five unanimous picks to the squad. She averaged 16.6 points per game, … [Read more...] about Unanimous pick Gage earns all-league first-team honors along with Clark, Pratt

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Drew Schreurs, Ankeny Centennial boys’ hoops

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Senior guard Drew Schreurs has helped the 10th-ranked Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team to a 16-7 record. He scored seven points and grabbed three rebounds to help his team to a 54-47 win over No. 8 Cedar Falls in a Class 4A substate final on Tuesday at Marshalltown, allowing the Jaguars to advance to the state tournament for the second time in school … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Drew Schreurs, Ankeny Centennial boys’ hoops

‘Together We Rise’: Hawkettes return 16 qualifiers, look to contend for 4A crown

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A year ago, the Ankeny girls' track team nearly captured a trophy at the Class 4A state meet, finishing just 1.5 points out of third place. The Hawkettes, who placed seventh with 44.5 points, might have enough talent back from that squad to earn some hardware this spring. Ankeny boasts 16 returning state qualifiers for new head coach T.J. Jumper, who … [Read more...] about ‘Together We Rise’: Hawkettes return 16 qualifiers, look to contend for 4A crown

Centennial’s Bryan among 23 players named to IBCA academic all-state team

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Ankeny Centennial senior forward Evan Bryan has been named to the academic all-state team by the Iowa Basketball Coaches Association. He was one of 23 players selected to the squad by a panel from more than 120 applicants. Bryan has averaged 10.5 points and 4.0 rebounds per game while helping the 10th-ranked Jaguars to a 16-7 record. He is shooting a … [Read more...] about Centennial’s Bryan among 23 players named to IBCA academic all-state team

After leading Jaguars to semifinals, Pratt named to Class 5A all-tournament team

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Sophomore forward Jaeden Pratt of Ankeny Centennial has been named to the Class 5A all-tournament team at the girls' state basketball tournament in Des Moines. Pratt was honored on Friday night following the Class 5A championship game at Wells Fargo Arena. She averaged 9.5 points and 5.5 rebounds while leading the Jaguars to the semifinals of the … [Read more...] about After leading Jaguars to semifinals, Pratt named to Class 5A all-tournament team

‘We just came up short’: Jaguars suffer late scoring drought, tumble to Johnston

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Thursday morning's Class 5A semifinal showdown between second-ranked Johnston and No. 6 Ankeny Centennial turned into a backyard brawl at the girls' state basketball tournament. Playing for the third time this season, the CIML Conference rivals waged a fierce defensive battle before the Dragons scored the final six points of the game to emerge with a … [Read more...] about ‘We just came up short’: Jaguars suffer late scoring drought, tumble to Johnston

An all-CIML title game?: Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for the Class 5A semifinals

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There was only one upset in Monday's Class 5A quarterfinals at the girls' state basketball tournament, where sixth-seeded Ankeny Centennial avenged last year's quarterfinal loss to Waterloo West with a 60-51 win over the No. 3 Wahawks. In the other three games, the higher seeds all won by an average of 17 points. Three teams from the CIML Conference--No. … [Read more...] about An all-CIML title game?: Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for the Class 5A semifinals

‘We’re on top of the world’: Jaguars rally past Cedar Falls, earn 2nd trip to state

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The Comeback Kids are headed to Wells Fargo Arena. The 10th-ranked Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team erased an early 10-point deficit and went on to defeat No. 8 Cedar Falls, 54-47, in a Class 4A substate final on Tuesday at Marshalltown. The Jaguars (16-7) advanced to the state tournament for the second time in school history. "It feels amazing … [Read more...] about ‘We’re on top of the world’: Jaguars rally past Cedar Falls, earn 2nd trip to state