Matt Delger spent the last decade preparing for an opportunity that has now arrived.
The longtime assistant coach under Bob Fontana has taken over the Ankeny Centennial boys’ basketball program. He was Fontana’s top assistant the last three years after coaching the sophomore team for the previous eight.
“The transition has been easy,” said Delger. “I am grateful to Bob for all the opportunities he gave me through the years. He gave me many opportunities to lead in this program, preparing me for taking over some day. The players have been receptive to the changes we are making, and we are all focused on improvement and growth every day.”
Fontana stepped down after guiding the Jaguars to a 5-17 record in his final season. Centennial Activities Director Nate Lingren then passed the coaching torch to Delger, who previously served three years as the head boys’ coach at CAL (Latimer) and two more at East Union (Afton), where he was also the Athletic Director.
Delger has been happy with his team’s effort during the preseason.
“The practices are going great,” he said. “Our guys are working really hard, and they’ve bought into what we are trying to do and the culture we are trying to create.”
Due to graduation and a couple of departures, the Jaguars return only five players who saw action in at least 15 games a year ago. They are senior guards Kolby Bechen and Brody Prill, junior forward Luke Mitchell, junior guard Hunter Runchey and sophomore guard Keaton Kasperbauer.
“I am really excited for these five returners,” Delger said. “They have brought great work ethic and energy all offseason. They are committed to playing team ball and playing for each other. I expect great things out of all five of them.”
Mitchell started 11 games as a sophomore. He averaged 3.2 points and 2.9 rebounds per game while shooting 67.4 percent from the field (29-of-43).
Kasperbauer averaged 2.2 points as a freshman, when he made 9-of-27 3-point attempts. He also dished out 18 assists.
Prill averaged 2.1 points, while Bechen averaged 1.1 points and 1.4 rebounds. They each had 13 assists and combined for 16 steals.
Runchey, meanwhile, averaged 1.2 points. He made 9-of-11 shots from the floor (81.8 percent).
At 6-foot-4, senior forward Will Perpich could also make an impact. He is one of the tallest players on the roster.
“We expect great things out of Will and junior newcomers Devan Goode, Drew Hansen and Drew Chriswisser,” Delger said.
Centennial will open its season on Tuesday at Waukee Northwest, which returns three starters from last year’s Class 4A state runner-up team. The Jaguars will then host Ankeny on Friday and Dowling Catholic on Dec. 9, two more strong opponents from the CIML Conference.
“The CIML is the best conference in the state,” Delger said. “We know every night will be a battle. I expect my team will come out fighting. We can’t wait for week one.”
