A trip to the Class 4A state tournament is only 32 minutes away for the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball teams. The top-ranked Jaguars (22-1) will meet CIML Central Conference rival Johnston (15-7) in a substate final on Tuesday at Southeast Polk, while the Hawks (17-5) will face Sioux City East (17-4) at Fort Dodge. Both games begin at 7 … [Read more...] about Centennial, Ankeny boys to play for state tournament berths on Tuesday
Campbell’s Cowan named Big South Starting Pitcher of the Week for 2nd time
The transition to the Division I level has been a smooth one for former Ankeny Centennial pitcher Cam Cowan. For the second time this season, Cowan has been named the Big South Starting Pitcher of the Week, as announced by the league office on Monday. Making his third start of 2020, Cowan tossed seven shutout innings in Campbell's 5-0 combined shutout … [Read more...] about Campbell’s Cowan named Big South Starting Pitcher of the Week for 2nd time
‘I’ve got more soccer in me’: Ankeny goalkeeper Frederick to play for Simpson
Ankeny's Brenny Frederick wasn't sure if she wanted to continue playing soccer. Once she decided that she did, it wasn't difficult for the senior goalkeeper to make her future plans. Frederick has committed to play for Simpson College next year. "Playing soccer was the tough decision. Playing for Simpson was an easy decision," said Frederick. … [Read more...] about ‘I’ve got more soccer in me’: Ankeny goalkeeper Frederick to play for Simpson
Ex-Ankeny star Manning to be inducted into IGHSAU Basketball Hall of Fame
Former Ankeny star Maddie Manning will be inducted into the Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union Basketball Hall of Fame during the state tournament on Saturday at Wells Fargo Arena. Manning will be enshrined along with former Bedford standout Connie Shafar and former Marion star Morgan Paige. The trio will be inducted at halftime of the Class 2A … [Read more...] about Ex-Ankeny star Manning to be inducted into IGHSAU Basketball Hall of Fame
Burns named to all-conference 1st team; Runchey, Pitz earn 2nd-team honors
Ankeny Centennial standout Meg Burns has been unanimously selected to the CIML Central Conference first team by a vote of the league's girls' basketball coaches. She led the Jaguars to a 13-10 record this season. Burns, a senior guard, averaged a team-high 12.2 points per game and shot 48.4 percent from 3-point range, making 61-of-126 attempts. The … [Read more...] about Burns named to all-conference 1st team; Runchey, Pitz earn 2nd-team honors
Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Nic Worsham, ACA boys’ basketball
Senior center Nic Worsham led the Ankeny Christian Academy boys' basketball team to a 21-4 record this season. The Eagles advanced to a Class 1A substate final before falling to third-ranked West Fork, 61-54, on Saturday at Nevada. Worsham averaged a team-high 13.1 points and 7.8 rebounds per game. He also led the Eagles with 36 blocks and tied for the … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Nic Worsham, ACA boys’ basketball
Eagles’ season ends with 61-54 loss to No. 3 West Fork in substate final
A furious rally by the Ankeny Christian Academy boys' basketball team came up short in a Class 1A substate final on Saturday at Nevada. The Eagles trailed third-ranked West Fork by 22 points in the second half before closing the gap to 52-49 with 4 minutes 22 seconds left. However, West Fork outscored ACA the rest of the way, 9-5, to hold on for a 61-54 … [Read more...] about Eagles’ season ends with 61-54 loss to No. 3 West Fork in substate final
‘I still desire to be a head football coach’: Rhoads lands bigger challenge at U of A
Paul Rhoads still yearns to be a head football coach again. A move to the Arizona desert may help him get there. The Ankeny native and former Iowa State head coach is getting ready for spring ball at the University of Arizona, where he was named the defensive coordinator in late December. He spent the last two seasons on the staff of UCLA coach Chip … [Read more...] about ‘I still desire to be a head football coach’: Rhoads lands bigger challenge at U of A
‘They threw a lot of junk at us’: Hawks solve Fort Dodge’s defense in 66-46 win
The Fort Dodge boys' basketball team tried several different defenses on Friday in an effort to slow down Ankeny star Braxton Bayless. None of them were very successful. Bayless poured in 26 points, 19 of them in the first half, to lead the Hawks to a 66-46 victory in a Class 4A substate semifinal at Ankeny. "They threw a lot of junk at us, but we … [Read more...] about ‘They threw a lot of junk at us’: Hawks solve Fort Dodge’s defense in 66-46 win
Kelling, No. 1 Centennial boys roll past Roughriders in postseason opener
Ankeny Centennial's Preston Kelling drove to the basket on Friday with a Des Moines Roosevelt defender right at his side. Kelling then rose up and threw down a monster dunk late in the first half of a Class 4A boys' basketball substate semifinal at Centennial. "I was feeling it at the time," Kelling said. "I was feeling good. It was just in the … [Read more...] about Kelling, No. 1 Centennial boys roll past Roughriders in postseason opener
Jaguars, Hawks open substate play at home against familiar opponents
The road to the state tournament begins on Friday night for both the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball teams. The top-ranked Jaguars (21-1) will host Des Moines Roosevelt (7-14) in a Class 4A Substate 6 semifinal, while the Hawks (16-5) will host Fort Dodge (3-19) in a Substate 1 semifinal. Both games begin at 7 p.m. Centennial enters the … [Read more...] about Jaguars, Hawks open substate play at home against familiar opponents
Ankeny Christian holds off Madrid, will play No. 3 West Fork for trip to state
During the first quarter of Thursday's game against Madrid, the Ankeny Christian Academy boys' basketball team struggled to solve the Tigers' zone defense. The Eagles fell into an early 14-5 hole and appeared to be in danger of being blown out in a Class 1A district final at Ankeny. The deficit grew to double digits when Madrid's CJ Dean opened the … [Read more...] about Ankeny Christian holds off Madrid, will play No. 3 West Fork for trip to state
VIDEO: Eagles move one win away from state tournament
‘A dream come true’: Ankeny bowlers earn highest finish in school history
Ankeny boys' bowling coach Lane Richtsmeier could hardly contain his excitement while watching his team compete in the Class 3A state tournament on Wednesday at Cadillac Lanes in Waterloo. He wasn't even concerned about the Hawks' scores. "This was a dream come true today, not just for me but for the boys as well," said Richtsmeier. "Going into today, … [Read more...] about ‘A dream come true’: Ankeny bowlers earn highest finish in school history
VIDEO: Hawk bowlers earn 5th-place finish at state
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 84
Check out the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by the Ankeny office of Iowa Realty. Ankeny boys' swimming coach Justin Crouch and four-time state champion Trent Frandson stopped by to discuss the Hawks' runner-up finish in the state meet with Ankeny Fanatic publisher Dan Holm, who also recapped the state wrestling tournament with … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 84
Eagles knock off three-time defending state champs, advance to district final
There will be a new boys' basketball king in Class 1A. Ankeny Christian Academy got a late rebound basket from Nic Worsham to defeat three-time defending state champion Grand View Christian, 48-46, in a district semifinal on Tuesday at Madrid. It was the 14th consecutive victory for the Eagles, who improved to 20-3 on the season and will play Madrid … [Read more...] about Eagles knock off three-time defending state champs, advance to district final
‘I couldn’t be more prouder of our kids’: Jaguars fall short in regional final
As the players on the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team slowly trickled out of the locker room on Tuesday, the parents and fans of the Jaguars applauded for each of the girls. For Meg Burns and a few of her teammates, it marked the final time that they would wear the school's blue-and-silver uniforms. The 11th-ranked Jaguars closed out the … [Read more...] about ‘I couldn’t be more prouder of our kids’: Jaguars fall short in regional final
Blimpie Sub of the Week: Rachael Christmann, Ankeny girls’ basketball
Junior guard Rachael Christmann helped the Ankeny girls' basketball team to a 10-13 record this season. Christmann played in 19 of the 23 games, averaging 3.7 points and 1.3 rebounds. She shot 43.5 percent from 3-point range, making 20-of-46 attempts. Christmann went 3-for-4 from behind the arc and scored a career-high 11 points in the Hawkettes' … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Rachael Christmann, Ankeny girls’ basketball