Ankeny Fanatic

Your Ankeny Sports Resource

Dan Holm

‘We survived and advanced’: Jaguars hold off Davenport North in quarterfinals

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The fans of the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team held their collective breath in the final seconds of the Jaguars' first state tournament game ever. Eighth-seeded Davenport North had a chance to pull off a huge upset at the buzzer, but a 3-point shot by Mahki Jacobs bounced off the rim as time expired and top-ranked Centennial escaped with a 53-51 … [Read more...] about ‘We survived and advanced’: Jaguars hold off Davenport North in quarterfinals

Blimpie Sub of the Week: Ryan Crandall, Ankeny boys’ basketball

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Sophomore forward Ryan Crandall is one of the top reserves for the Ankeny boys' basketball team. He is shooting 54.1 percent from the field and 37.5 percent from 3-point range. Crandall is averaging 5.7 points and 4.5 rebounds per game. He scored nine points and grabbed five rebounds in the Hawks' 73-67 victory over Sioux City East in a Class 4A substate … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Ryan Crandall, Ankeny boys’ basketball

Jaguars survive Davenport North’s upset bid, will play Waukee in semifinals

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Davenport North's Mahki Jacobs missed a 3-pointer at the buzzer and top-ranked Ankeny Centennial held on for a 53-51 victory in the Class 4A quarterfinals of the boys' state basketball tournament on Tuesday night at Wells Fargo Arena. "I was pretty scared on that last shot," said Centennial junior Jaron Crews. "I was guarding him, and from my position it … [Read more...] about Jaguars survive Davenport North’s upset bid, will play Waukee in semifinals

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

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This could be one of the most wide-open boys' Class 4A state basketball tournaments in recent memory. Top-seeded Ankeny Centennial might be considered a slight favorite to win the crown, but several other teams in the field are legitimate contenders to capture the title, including sixth-seeded Ankeny. When the quarterfinal games get under way on … [Read more...] about State tourney preview: Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for the Class 4A quarterfinals

Burns named to Class 5A second team; Pitz earns third-team honors

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Ankeny Centennial's Meg Burns and Ankeny's Kayla Pitz were among 13 girls' basketball players from the Central Iowa Metropolitan League to earn all-state honors from the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association. Burns, a senior guard, was selected to the Class 5A second team. She led the Jaguars to a 13-10 record this season. Burns averaged 12.2 points per game … [Read more...] about Burns named to Class 5A second team; Pitz earns third-team honors

Strait helps Truman State to GLVC crown, NCAA Tournament berth

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Former Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball standout Hunter Strait won't get a chance to watch the Jaguars in this week's Class 4A state tournament at Wells Fargo Arena. He's got a big tournament of his own to prepare for. Strait, a sophomore guard at Truman State, helped the Bulldogs to a 53-52 victory over Missouri-St. Louis in the championship game of … [Read more...] about Strait helps Truman State to GLVC crown, NCAA Tournament berth

Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Nolan Otten, Ankeny boys’ basketball

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Senior center Nolan Otten helped the Ankeny boys' basketball team advance to the Class 4A state tournament for the first time since 2012. He had eight points, three rebounds and two steals in the Hawks' 73-67 victory over Sioux City East in a substate final on Tuesday at Fort Dodge. Otten is averaging 5.6 points and 3.5 rebounds per game. He leads the … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Nolan Otten, Ankeny boys’ basketball

Frandson, Rumley compete in TYR Pro Swim Series against world’s best

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Some of the world's best swimmers came to Des Moines this week for the TYR Pro Swim Series at the Wellmark YMCA. State champions Trent Frandson and Jasmine Rumley of Ankeny were among the local standouts who participated in the meet, which attracted the likes of Olympic gold medalists Katie Ledecky and Ryan Lochte. "Just being there and with all of … [Read more...] about Frandson, Rumley compete in TYR Pro Swim Series against world’s best

Here are some under-the-radar players to look out for in Class 4A tournament

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A lot of eyes will be on Ankeny's Braxton Bayless and Ankeny Centennial's Cody McCullough during next week's boys' Class 4A state basketball tournament. North Scott's Ty Anderson, Iowa City West's Even Brauns and Waukee's Tucker DeVries will also garner plenty of attention at Wells Fargo Arena. Those are just some of the stars who could lead their … [Read more...] about Here are some under-the-radar players to look out for in Class 4A tournament

‘It’s very humbling’: Ankeny Hall of Famer Manning to be inducted Saturday night

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When Maddie Manning walks across the court to be inducted into the Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union Basketball Hall of Fame on Saturday night, the former Ankeny star will likely have some mixed emotions. Manning played in four state tournaments for the Hawkettes, but never came away from Wells Fargo Arena with the ultimate prize--a state … [Read more...] about ‘It’s very humbling’: Ankeny Hall of Famer Manning to be inducted Saturday night

A brief rundown of the teams in the boys’ Class 4A state tournament field

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Here's a quick look at each of the boys' basketball teams in the Class 4A state tournament: No. 4 seed Waukee (21-2): The Warriors avenged one of their two losses with a 59-55 victory over Valley in a substate final. Waukee boasts two of the state's top players in the Class of 2021, Tucker DeVries and Payton Sandfort, who combined for 39 points in the … [Read more...] about A brief rundown of the teams in the boys’ Class 4A state tournament field

Simpson basketball star Riordan named finalist for 2020 Jostens Trophy

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Former Ankeny basketball standout Conor Riordan has been named one of 20 finalists for the 2020 Jostens Trophy, the Rotary Club of Salem (Va.) announced earlier this week. Riordan becomes the third finalist in Simpson men's basketball history, joining two-time selection Jesse Harris (2002-03). The senior guard is the first to be placed on the list for the … [Read more...] about Simpson basketball star Riordan named finalist for 2020 Jostens Trophy

The wait is over: Fontana’s Jaguars earn their first trip to Wells Fargo Arena

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When Bob Fontana returned to his hometown of Ankeny in 2013 to build the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball program from scratch, one of his primary goals was to get the Jaguars to the state tournament in the next few years. It took a little longer than he would have liked, but the wait was worth it. On Tuesday, Fontana guided the top-ranked Jaguars to … [Read more...] about The wait is over: Fontana’s Jaguars earn their first trip to Wells Fargo Arena

‘It’s just the best feeling ever’: Hawks outlast Sioux City East for trip to state

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Braxton Bayless draped the state qualifier banner around his body and beamed with joy as he pranced around the Fort Dodge gym. The senior guard had just fulfilled a lifelong dream--leading his Ankeny boys' basketball team to the Class 4A state tournament. "It's the best feeling I've had my whole career," said Bayless. "It's just the best feeling … [Read more...] about ‘It’s just the best feeling ever’: Hawks outlast Sioux City East for trip to state

Blimpie Sub of the Week: Elle Street, Ankeny Centennial girls’ basketball

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Sophomore guard Elle Street is a member of the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team. She helped the Jaguars to a 13-10 record this season. Street averaged 2.2 points and 1.3 rebounds per game. She also contributed 20 assists, 12 steals and nine blocks. "Elle is one of our best athletes and used those abilities to defend the best players in the … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Elle Street, Ankeny Centennial girls’ basketball

TWICE AS NICE: Jaguars, Hawks both advance to Class 4A state tournament

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The Ankeny boys' basketball team is headed to the state tournament for the first time since 2012. Crosstown rival Ankeny Centennial will be making the trip to Wells Fargo Arena for the first time ever. Both squads qualified for the Class 4A tournament with victories on Tuesday. Top-ranked Centennial posted a 58-42 win over Johnston in a substate final … [Read more...] about TWICE AS NICE: Jaguars, Hawks both advance to Class 4A state tournament

Ex-Ankeny wrestler Anderson forced to end career due to multiple concussions

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Spencer Anderson has been wrestling and playing soccer for most of his life. When Anderson graduated from Ankeny High School in 2018, he elected to attend Simpson College in Indianola, where he would focus on just one sport--wrestling. Now, Anderson has been forced to give up that sport as well. After suffering multiple concussions over the last … [Read more...] about Ex-Ankeny wrestler Anderson forced to end career due to multiple concussions