Ankeny Fanatic

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Archives for March 2024

Johnson, Winkel are repeat selections to CIML Conference first team

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Senior guards Carson Johnson of Ankeny and Luke Winkel of Ankeny Centennial were both repeat selections to the CIML Conference first team by a vote of the league's boys' basketball coaches. They were both unanimous picks. Johnson led the Hawks to an 18-7 record and a trip to the Class 4A semifinals. He was the second-leading scorer in Class 4A with an … [Read more...] about Johnson, Winkel are repeat selections to CIML Conference first team

Murray leads Grand View to conference tourney title, into NAIA Championship

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Cleao Murray has led the Grand View women's basketball team to unprecedented heights. The former Ankeny Centennial star scored 19 points to help the Vikings to a 65-62 victory over visiting Benedictine (Kan.) in the championship game of the Heart of America Conference Tournament on Tuesday at Sisam Arena. She went 8-of-19 from the field, including 2-of-6 … [Read more...] about Murray leads Grand View to conference tourney title, into NAIA Championship

Wartburg women’s squad reaches Div. III Final 4 for 3rd time in program history

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Taylor Runchey's final collegiate basketball season will conclude at the NCAA Division III Final Four. The former Ankeny Centennial standout helped the Wartburg College women's team to a 68-58 victory over Washington and Lee University in the Elite 8 on Saturday at Providence, R.I. She had three rebounds, an assist and a block in 29 minutes of … [Read more...] about Wartburg women’s squad reaches Div. III Final 4 for 3rd time in program history

Runchey, Wartburg advance to Elite 8 with last-second win over Bates College

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Taylor Runchey and the Wartburg College women's basketball team have reached the Elite 8 of the NCAA Tournament. Runchey, a former Ankeny Centennial standout, helped the Knights to a 54-53 victory over Bates College in the Sweet 16 round of the Division III tournament on Friday at Providence, R.I. She had two points, five rebounds and four assists in the … [Read more...] about Runchey, Wartburg advance to Elite 8 with last-second win over Bates College

Cougars contain Johnson with trapping defense, advance to Class 4A title game

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Cedar Rapids Kennedy boys' basketball coach Jon McKowen refused to let Ankeny's Carson Johnson beat his team. The strategy proved to be effective. The top-ranked Cougars used a trapping defense to hold Johnson to nine points on 4-of-13 shooting and posted a 63-51 victory in the Class 4A semifinals on Thursday at Wells Fargo Arena. "We press every … [Read more...] about Cougars contain Johnson with trapping defense, advance to Class 4A title game

‘I was really proud of our fight’: Hawks’ rally falls short against C.R. Kennedy

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The Ankeny boys' basketball team closed out the season on Thursday with a 63-51 loss to top-ranked Cedar Rapids Kennedy in the Class 4A semifinals at Wells Fargo Arena. The loss ended an eight-game winning streak for the Hawks, who finished with an 18-7 record. "I was really proud of our fight. I thought we won the last three quarters ultimately, but … [Read more...] about ‘I was really proud of our fight’: Hawks’ rally falls short against C.R. Kennedy

‘I can’t wait for this next chapter!’: Jaguars’ Kroska to play soccer at Denver

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Ankeny Centennial junior Olivia Kroska is headed to the Mile High City in the fall of 2025. Kroska, a midfielder, has committed to play Division I soccer for the University of Denver. "I looked at quite a few schools, and they were all in different areas," said Kroska. "It was a little hard at first to wrap my head around being so far away from family … [Read more...] about ‘I can’t wait for this next chapter!’: Jaguars’ Kroska to play soccer at Denver

An all-CIML final? Here are Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for 4A semifinals

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And now we're down to the Final Four. There wasn't much drama in the Class 4A quarterfinals on Wednesday at Wells Fargo Arena, where the four games were decided by an average of 12.5 points. The last two games ended up with single-digit margins, but Valley and Bettendorf both held on to win after once leading by 15 and 19 points, respectively. So … [Read more...] about An all-CIML final? Here are Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for 4A semifinals

‘This is just the first one’: Hawks top Dub. Senior, will face No. 1 C.R. Kennedy next

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Carson Johnson still remembers the feeling he had walking off the court two years ago after his Ankeny boys' basketball team lost to Johnston in the Class 4A quarterfinals. "Losing here my sophomore year, it sucked," Johnson said. "We just wanted to get back here and get a win for so long. Seeing all that hard work pay off is just great." Johnson … [Read more...] about ‘This is just the first one’: Hawks top Dub. Senior, will face No. 1 C.R. Kennedy next

Ex-Jaguar Porter enters transfer portal after freshman season at William Jewell

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Former Ankeny Centennial basketball standout Averi Porter is looking for a new home. Porter, a freshman guard for the William Jewell women's team, announced Wednesday on social media that she has entered the transfer portal. "I’d like to thank my teammates for an amazing first year at William Jewell," she tweeted on X. "I will always be grateful for … [Read more...] about Ex-Jaguar Porter enters transfer portal after freshman season at William Jewell

More all-state girls’ basketball honors for Centennial duo, Ankeny’s Williams

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The Ankeny Centennial duo of Mya Crawford and Jaeden Pratt has received all-state girls' basketball honors from the Iowa Print Sports Writers Association along with Ankeny standout Jayla Williams. Crawford, a junior guard, was named to the Class 5A first team. She also earned first-team honors from the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association. Crawford led the … [Read more...] about More all-state girls’ basketball honors for Centennial duo, Ankeny’s Williams

State tourney preview: Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for Class 4A quarterfinals

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Last week, the Johnston girls' basketball team cruised to the Class 5A championship in Des Moines, capping off a second perfect season in the last three years and winning its third state title in five seasons. Now, it's the boys' turn to take over Wells Fargo Arena. This week, another top-ranked team will try to complete an undefeated campaign in the … [Read more...] about State tourney preview: Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for Class 4A quarterfinals

Ankeny’s Howard, Jacks, Johnson named to academic all-state girls’ hoops team

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Ankeny seniors Hannah Howard, Karsen Jacks and Cassie Johnson have been named to the academic all-state girls' basketball team by the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association. The trio helped the Hawkettes to a 13-10 record this season. Jacks, a Simpson recruit, has also been selected to play in the IGCA Senior All-Star Classic. The event will be held on April … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Howard, Jacks, Johnson named to academic all-state girls’ hoops team

Crawford, Pratt, Williams named all-state by Iowa Girls’ Coaches Association

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Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball standout Mya Crawford has been named to the Class 5A all-state first team by the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association, while teammate Jaeden Pratt and Jayla Williams of Ankeny were both selected to the second team. Crawford, a junior guard, led the Jaguars to a 14-9 record and a trip to the state tournament. She set a school … [Read more...] about Crawford, Pratt, Williams named all-state by Iowa Girls’ Coaches Association

Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Rio Aguirre, Ankeny boys’ basketball

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Sophomore guard Rio Aguirre has helped the eighth-ranked Ankeny boys' basketball team to a 17-6 record. The Hawks will take a seven-game winning streak into this week's state tournament at Wells Fargo Arena. Aguirre had 10 points, five rebounds and three assists in Ankeny's 64-41 victory over No. 10 Ankeny Centennial in a Class 4A substate final on … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Rio Aguirre, Ankeny boys’ basketball