Ankeny Fanatic

Your Ankeny Sports Resource

Dan Holm

Waukee boys pull away from Centennial with 17-0 run in final 5 minutes

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When the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team suffered a 62-42 loss at Ames on Feb. 2, the Jaguars' record dropped to 4-12 on the season. Centennial coach Bob Fontana addressed his players in the locker room after the team's seventh consecutive loss. "I told them, 'Don't trip over what's in the rear view mirror. Let's move on--we're 0-0 and let's … [Read more...] about Waukee boys pull away from Centennial with 17-0 run in final 5 minutes

Ankeny volleyball coach makes ‘tough decision to walk away’ from program

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Ankeny volleyball coach Joe Morton has resigned from his position after four years at the school. Morton compiled a 116-48 record after replacing longtime Ankeny coach Dave Whims in 2015. He guided the Hawkettes to a pair of state tournament appearances. "It's always a tough decision to walk away," said Morton. "I tried to reassure the kids when I met … [Read more...] about Ankeny volleyball coach makes ‘tough decision to walk away’ from program

Jaguars are going to ‘let it fly’ in substate semifinal at Waukee

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There won't be any pressure Friday on the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team. The Jaguars will be a heavy underdog in a Class 4A substate semifinal at Waukee, but don't tell the Centennial players that they don't have a chance. "If anyone is dumb enough to pull it off, it's us," said senior guard Garret Severseike. "Let it fly, … [Read more...] about Jaguars are going to ‘let it fly’ in substate semifinal at Waukee

WELL DONE: Jaguars topple Pleasant Valley, earn trip to state tournament

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Wells Fargo Arena sits only about 10 miles away from the city of Ankeny. To earn a chance to play there, however, the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team had to make its longest road trip ever. The 10th-ranked Jaguars traveled to Pleasant Valley on Tuesday for a Class 5A regional final against the No. 7 Spartans, who entered the game with a 21-0 … [Read more...] about WELL DONE: Jaguars topple Pleasant Valley, earn trip to state tournament

Blimpie Sub of the Week: Drake Bennett, Ankeny boys’ basketball

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Drake Bennett is a member of the Ankeny boys' basketball team. The senior forward helped Ankeny to a 13-8 record, including a 5-5 mark in the CIML Central Conference. The Hawks ended their season with a 68-64 loss to visiting Des Moines Roosevelt in a Class 4A substate quarterfinal on Monday. Bennett averaged 2.0 points and 1.7 rebounds per game. He … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Drake Bennett, Ankeny boys’ basketball

Late rally falls short; Hawks end season with loss to Roosevelt

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Every time the Ankeny boys' basketball team suffered a loss this season, head coach Brant Carlson was hoping that it would be a learning lesson for the Hawks. When Ankeny closed out the regular season on Friday with a 71-68 loss at Mason City, Carlson was again hoping that his team could bounce back with the start of postseason play three days … [Read more...] about Late rally falls short; Hawks end season with loss to Roosevelt

Centennial girls head to Pleasant Valley for 5A regional final

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Two of the state's best defensive teams will collide on Tuesday at Pleasant Valley with a trip to the girls' state basketball tournament at stake. The Class 5A Region 8 final will match seventh-ranked Pleasant Valley (21-0) against No. 10 Ankeny Centennial (14-7). Tip-off has been moved up to 6 p.m. due to the weather. "We know they're undefeated," … [Read more...] about Centennial girls head to Pleasant Valley for 5A regional final

Clutch baskets by Brandt, Severseike lift Jaguars to substate win over Fort Dodge

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Ankeny Centennial's double-digit lead started slipping away on Monday in a Class 4A boys' basketball substate quarterfinal. That's when seniors Lathan Brandt and Garret Severseike scored two of the Jaguars' biggest baskets of the game. After visiting Fort Dodge went on a 9-0 run to pull within 37-34, Brandt drove to the hoop on a fast break and made a … [Read more...] about Clutch baskets by Brandt, Severseike lift Jaguars to substate win over Fort Dodge

Postseason play begins tonight at home for Hawks, Jaguars

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If the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball teams want to experience some March Madness, they'll first have to pull off some upsets in February. Both squads will begin postseason play on Monday at home, but the Hawks and Jaguars will then likely have to defeat two higher-seeded teams to qualify for the state tournament, which will be held on … [Read more...] about Postseason play begins tonight at home for Hawks, Jaguars

Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Eric Owens, Centennial wrestling

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Senior Eric Owens helped the Ankeny Centennial wrestling team to a fourth-place finish in the Class 3A state tournament last week at Wells Fargo Arena. He earned a second-place finish at 145 pounds. Owens also helped the Jaguars to a third-place finish in the state duals tournament. He finished the season with a 37-5 record. Here is some inside info on … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Eric Owens, Centennial wrestling

SOLID GOLD: Ankeny’s Rathjen, Anderson capture state wrestling titles

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Ankeny wrestling coach Jack Wignall waited six years to crown his first individual state champion. He only had to wait about 30 minutes for his second one. Ankeny's top-ranked duo of Trever Anderson and Caleb Rathjen each won a title in the Class 3A state tournament on Saturday at Wells Fargo Arena, leading the Hawks to their best finish since the … [Read more...] about SOLID GOLD: Ankeny’s Rathjen, Anderson capture state wrestling titles

McCullough scores 1,000th career point in Hawkettes’ season-ending loss to East

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Dru McAnelly is a big fan of the Iowa Hawkeyes, who defeated Rutgers on Saturday on a miracle 3-pointer at the buzzer. About 30 minutes before Joe Weiskamp banked in the game-winner for the Hawkeyes from the corner, McAnelly's Ankeny girls' basketball team was in a similar position, down two points with the ball in the final seconds. However, the … [Read more...] about McCullough scores 1,000th career point in Hawkettes’ season-ending loss to East

Jaguars earn 3 silver medals, finish 4th overall in Class 3A

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For three days, the Ankeny Centennial wrestlers put themselves in position to capture a team trophy at the Class 3A state tournament in Des Moines. Centennial coach Jay Groth was also confident that the Jaguars would win multiple individual championships, especially after his team advanced three wrestlers into Saturday night's finals at Wells Fargo … [Read more...] about Jaguars earn 3 silver medals, finish 4th overall in Class 3A

‘We’re not done yet’: Centennial girls advance to regional final

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Kenna Sauer didn't want her basketball career to end on Saturday afternoon. The Missouri volleyball recruit scored a season-high 22 points and grabbed eight rebounds to lead the Ankeny Centennial girls' team to a 50-31 victory over visiting Sioux City East in a Class 5A regional semifinal. She also had two steals and a block. "We're not done yet," said … [Read more...] about ‘We’re not done yet’: Centennial girls advance to regional final

Leo places 3rd for Jaguars; Blubaugh takes 7th and Bresson finishes 8th

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The Ankeny Centennial wrestlers are still in contention for a team trophy following Saturday's consolation rounds in the Class 3A state tournament at Wells Fargo Arena. The Jaguars got a third-place finish from Nic Leo at 182 pounds, while Noah Blubaugh took seventh at 126. Jackson Bresson added an eighth-place finish at 113. "I'm very proud of how our … [Read more...] about Leo places 3rd for Jaguars; Blubaugh takes 7th and Bresson finishes 8th

Ankeny’s Kallem earns 7th-place finish at state wrestling tourney

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Sam Kallem got a taste of what the state wrestling tournament is all about this week. The Ankeny junior is looking to go back for more next year. The seventh-ranked Kallem earned a seventh-place finish in Class 3A at 132 pounds on Saturday at Wells Fargo Arena. He posted a 7-1 decision over No. 8 Christian Stanek of Cedar Rapids Xavier in the … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Kallem earns 7th-place finish at state wrestling tourney