Ankeny Fanatic

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Hawks

Hawkettes return 8 starters, will seek 4th straight appearance in 3A title game

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For much of the 2021 season, the Ankeny girls' soccer team flew under the radar. That won't be the case this year. The Hawkettes return eight starters from a team that posted a 14-5 record and advanced to the Class 3A championship game before dropping a 1-0 decision to Valley. It was Ankeny's third consecutive appearance in the title game. "We have … [Read more...] about Hawkettes return 8 starters, will seek 4th straight appearance in 3A title game

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Maddox Ward, Ankeny boys’ basketball

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Junior guard Maddox Ward helped the Ankeny boys' basketball team to a 19-5 record this season. He was one of the Hawks' top reserves, playing in 23 of the 24 games. Ward averaged 2.7 points and 1.7 assists per game. He had six points, four rebounds, three assists and two steals in Ankeny's 55-53 loss to Johnston in the quarterfinals of the Class 4A state … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Maddox Ward, Ankeny boys’ basketball

Ankeny’s Crandall, Centennial’s Kelling named to Iowa Conference first team

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Boys' basketball standouts Ryan Crandall of Ankeny and Caden Kelling of Ankeny Centennial have been named to the CIML Iowa Conference first team by a vote of the league's coaches. Crandall, a senior forward, led the Hawks to a 19-5 record and a trip to the Class 4A state tournament. He averaged a team-high 11.8 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 2.2 … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Crandall, Centennial’s Kelling named to Iowa Conference first team

‘We feel like we are a top-5 team’: Ankeny girls boast young, talented squad

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Thomas Cotter is hoping to make the most of his final season as the Ankeny girls' track coach. Cotter, who is going to Carlisle at the end of the school year, has already had a lot of success with the Hawkettes. "We have accomplished a lot in the four years I have been here," said Cotter. "With a COVID year, we have won three state championships (in … [Read more...] about ‘We feel like we are a top-5 team’: Ankeny girls boast young, talented squad

‘That won us the game’: Johnston’s free throws end Ankeny boys’ season at 19-5

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Ankeny's JJ Kohl grabbed the rebound in the lane and put the ball back in the hoop as time expired. It was a meaningless basket in the grand scheme of things, because it didn't prevent third-seeded Johnston from advancing to the Class 4A semifinals of the boys' state basketball tournament. But it showed what the sixth-seeded Hawks are all … [Read more...] about ‘That won us the game’: Johnston’s free throws end Ankeny boys’ season at 19-5

THE END OF THE ROAD: Hawks fall to Johnston in Class 4A quarterfinals

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Steven Kramer scored 12 of his 19 points in the fourth quarter and third-seeded Johnston rallied to beat sixth-seeded Ankeny, 55-53, in the Class 4A quarterfinals of the boys' state basketball tournament on Wednesday at Wells Fargo Arena. Kramer made a 3-point goal with 5 minutes 15 seconds left to put his team ahead for good, 45-44, in a seesaw affair … [Read more...] about THE END OF THE ROAD: Hawks fall to Johnston in Class 4A quarterfinals

Murray, Pitz earn all-state honors from Iowa Girls’ Coaches Association

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Chalk up another postseason honor for the duo of Cleao Murray and Jenna Pitz. The two girls' basketball standouts have both received all-state honors from the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association. Murray, a senior guard at Ankeny Centennial, was named to the Class 5A second team. Pitz, a junior guard at Ankeny, was a third-team pick. Both players were … [Read more...] about Murray, Pitz earn all-state honors from Iowa Girls’ Coaches Association

‘I’m so excited’: Kohut Lynch hired to take over Ankeny volleyball program

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Dani Kohut Lynch has some big shoes to fill. Fortunately, she has some big shoes of her own. Kohut Lynch, a former St. Cloud State player and Luther College head coach, has been hired to replace legendary Ankeny volleyball coach Dave Whims. "I'm so excited," said Kohut Lynch. "The tradition at Ankeny is so rich. I don't have to re-invent the wheel … [Read more...] about ‘I’m so excited’: Kohut Lynch hired to take over Ankeny volleyball program

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

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When the Class 4A state tournament tips off on Wednesday at Wells Fargo Arena, a lot of eyes will be focused on standout point guard Tamin Lipsey of Ames. The top-ranked Little Cyclones were a prohibitive favorite to capture the Class 4A crown before Lipsey suffered a hamstring injury during a win at Marshalltown on Feb. 1. The Iowa State recruit then sat … [Read more...] about State tourney preview: Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for the Class 4A quarterfinals

Murray, Pitz earn all-state honors from Iowa Print Sports Writers Association

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Girls' basketball standouts Cleao Murray of Ankeny Centennial and Jenna Pitz of Ankeny have received all-state honors from the Iowa Print Sports Writers Association. Murray, a senior guard, was named to the Class 5A first team. Pitz, a junior guard, was a third-team selection. Murray led the Jaguars to a 20-4 record and a repeat appearance in the Class … [Read more...] about Murray, Pitz earn all-state honors from Iowa Print Sports Writers Association

Elite sprinter Miller one of many strengths for Ankeny boys’ track team

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Tyrese Miller and the Ankeny boys' track team are ready to make some noise this season. Miller, one of the state's top sprinters, helped the Hawks to a 15th-place finish in last year's Class 4A state meet. He is among the team's 11 returning state qualifiers. "Tyrese had a great junior season and is poised to have a great senior campaign," said Ankeny … [Read more...] about Elite sprinter Miller one of many strengths for Ankeny boys’ track team

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Braden Simonsen, Ankeny boys’ basketball

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Senior post player Braden Simonsen has helped the ninth-ranked Ankeny boys' basketball team to a 19-4 record and a berth in this week's Class 4A state tournament. He had four points, five rebounds and two blocks as the Hawks defeated Waukee, 62-57, in a substate final on Tuesday at Dallas Center-Grimes. Simonsen is averaging 6.3 points and 3.9 rebounds … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Braden Simonsen, Ankeny boys’ basketball

Unanimous picks Murray, Pitz joined on all-conference first team by White, Jacks

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Guards Cleao Murray of Ankeny Centennial and Jenna Pitz of Ankeny were both unanimous picks to the CIML Iowa Conference first team by a vote of the league's girls' basketball coaches. Murray and Pitz led their teams to a share of the conference title this season. Ankeny and Centennial tied for the crown with Waukee Northwest. Murray, a senior, helped … [Read more...] about Unanimous picks Murray, Pitz joined on all-conference first team by White, Jacks

‘It was a grind’: Ankeny boys top Warriors, will play Johnston in 4A quarterfinals

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A year ago, the Waukee boys' basketball team ended Ankeny's bid for a second consecutive Class 4A state title with a 74-54 victory in a substate final. On Tuesday at Dallas Center-Grimes, the ninth-ranked Hawks returned the favor. Ankeny pulled away in the third quarter and then held on to beat the defending state champion Warriors, 62-57, in a … [Read more...] about ‘It was a grind’: Ankeny boys top Warriors, will play Johnston in 4A quarterfinals

‘It feels so good’: Hawks hold off Waukee, advance to state tourney for 17th time

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The Ankeny boys' basketball team is headed to the state tournament for the 17th time. The ninth-ranked Hawks posted a 62-57 victory over Waukee in a Class 4A substate final on Tuesday at Dallas Center-Grimes. The game featured 13 lead changes. "It feels so good going back to state," said Ankeny junior Karson Wehde, whose basket early in the third … [Read more...] about ‘It feels so good’: Hawks hold off Waukee, advance to state tourney for 17th time

‘We’re excited to move on’: Hawks get off to fast start, roll past Sioux City West

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There were several upsets on Friday night in the semifinal round of the boys' Class 4A substate basketball tournaments. Ninth-ranked Ankeny refused to be one of the victims. The Hawks jumped out to a 24-7 lead in the first quarter and went on to defeat visiting Sioux City West, 83-48, in a Substate 1 matchup. "You've really got to establish who you … [Read more...] about ‘We’re excited to move on’: Hawks get off to fast start, roll past Sioux City West

Centennial’s Murray joins Ankeny’s Gage, Pitz on Class 5A West all-district team

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Ankeny Centennial senior Cleao Murray has been named to the Class 5A West all-district girls' basketball team along with Ankeny standouts Savannah Gage and Jenna Pitz. The teams were selected by the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association. Murray, a 5-foot-8 guard, has helped the Jaguars to a 20-3 record and a berth in next week's Class 5A state tournament at … [Read more...] about Centennial’s Murray joins Ankeny’s Gage, Pitz on Class 5A West all-district team