The Ankeny Centennial girls’ basketball team may have turned its season around prior to the holiday break.
After ending a five-game losing streak with a win over their crosstown rival three nights earlier, the sixth-ranked Jaguars evened their overall record at 5-5 with a 58-43 victory over visiting North Polk in a non-conference game on Dec. 22.
“We had two great wins going into the Christmas break!” said Centennial coach Scott DeJong.
Centennial held a 23-22 lead at halftime. The Jaguars then outscored North Polk in the third quarter, 17-3, to build a 40-25 advantage.
“That was the difference in the game,” DeJong said.
The loss ended a seven-game winning streak for North Polk, the No. 3 team in Class 4A. The Comets (7-2) had defeated Centennial in the North Polk Jamboree during the preseason.
Jaeden Pratt led the way for Centennial, racking up 14 points, 15 rebounds, seven assists and two blocks. The Jaguars committed just five turnovers and won the battle of the boards, 37-23.
“We had balanced scoring, just a few turnovers and a great rebounding game,” DeJong said. “Jaeden had a huge game.”
Mya Crawford finished with a game-high 19 points. She also contributed 12 rebounds, four steals and two blocks.
Tillie Smith had nine points for the Jaguars, while Ava Martin added eight. Smith, Martin and Crawford each made a pair of 3-point goals.
Abby Tuttle had 17 points and six rebounds to lead North Polk.
It was a special night for Centennial assistant coach Dennis Albertson, who was honored for his 50 years of service as a coach in the Ankeny school district.
The Jaguars will play a CIML Conference game at No. 12 Waukee Northwest (5-4) on Tuesday.
