The Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team appears to have a favorable path to the Class 5A state tournament. The road to Wells Fargo Arena looks more daunting for crosstown rival Ankeny. The Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union announced its Class 5A postseason pairings on Wednesday. Third-ranked Centennial is the No. 1 seed in Region 2, while No. … [Read more...] about Centennial earns No. 1 seed in Region 2; Hawkettes are No. 2 seed in Region 3
Hawks
‘It was the craziest deal’: Hoover stuns Hawks on Imani’s OT buzzer-beater
An unlikely hero emerged for the Des Moines Hoover boys' basketball team on Tuesday. Senior Justin Imani, a 5-foot 7 guard, scored the winning basket at the buzzer to give the host Huskies a 53-51 overtime victory against sixth-ranked Ankeny in a non-conference game. The Hawks (14-4) lost to an unranked opponent for the first time. Their other losses … [Read more...] about ‘It was the craziest deal’: Hoover stuns Hawks on Imani’s OT buzzer-beater
Hawks earn No. 1 seed in Substate 1; Jaguars are No. 2 seed in Substate 2
The sixth-ranked Ankeny boys' basketball team has been awarded the No. 1 seed in Class 4A Substate 1 by the Iowa High School Athletic Association, while No. 10 Ankeny Centennial is the No. 2 seed in Substate 2. Both teams will receive a first-round bye before hosting a semifinal game on Friday, Feb. 25 at 7 p.m. Ankeny (14-4) will host the winner of a … [Read more...] about Hawks earn No. 1 seed in Substate 1; Jaguars are No. 2 seed in Substate 2
‘They’re in a different league’: Dragons roll past Ankeny despite Jacks’ 21 points
The Class 5A regional girls' basketball pairings are expected to be announced in the next couple of days. Ankeny coach Dru McAnelly is probably hoping not to see top-ranked Johnston in the Hawkettes' bracket. The host Dragons improved their record to 19-0 with a 79-49 victory over No. 12 Ankeny in a non-conference game on Monday. Only one opponent, No. … [Read more...] about ‘They’re in a different league’: Dragons roll past Ankeny despite Jacks’ 21 points
Hawk swimmers place 2nd at district meet, qualify for state in every event
For the first time in five years, the Ankeny boys' swimming team didn't win the district title. The eighth-ranked Hawks placed second in Saturday's district meet at Southeast Polk with 435 points. No. 6 Valley won eight of the 11 events and captured the overall crown with 512 points. Still, Ankeny qualified for next week's state meet in every … [Read more...] about Hawk swimmers place 2nd at district meet, qualify for state in every event
‘We’re moving in the right direction’: AHS boys rout Mason City, improve to 14-3
When the Ankeny boys' basketball team posted a 70-56 win at Mason City on Jan. 7, the Hawks didn't pull away until the fourth quarter. Friday's rematch between the two squads at Ankeny was decided well before then. The sixth-ranked Hawks held a 37-21 lead at halftime, then outscored Mason City in the third quarter, 24-10, to build a 61-31 advantage. … [Read more...] about ‘We’re moving in the right direction’: AHS boys rout Mason City, improve to 14-3
Hawkettes earn shot to play for league crown with victory over Mason City
There was a lot at stake when the Ankeny girls' basketball team played at Ankeny Centennial last month. Now, Friday's rematch at Ankeny will carry even more importance. The 12th-ranked Hawkettes kept their CIML Iowa Conference title hopes alive with a 61-40 victory over visiting Mason City on Friday. They can earn a share of the crown by defeating No. … [Read more...] about Hawkettes earn shot to play for league crown with victory over Mason City
Hawk bowlers edge Roosevelt; Ankeny girls post season-high score in loss
The Ankeny bowling teams traveled to Air Lanes Bowling Center on Tuesday for their final dual meet of the season and came away with a split. The Hawks defeated host Des Moines Roosevelt by a score of 2,433 to 2,373 in the non-conference matchup. The Roughriders won the girls' meet by a score of 1,744 to 1,517, even though the Hawkettes posted a … [Read more...] about Hawk bowlers edge Roosevelt; Ankeny girls post season-high score in loss
Ankeny’s Crandall decommits from Mankato, signs with Western Illinois
Ryan Crandall has decided to wear different shades of purple and gold. After earlier committing to play football at Minnesota State-Mankato, the Ankeny defensive back has signed a letter of intent to play for Western Illinois next year. "It was a hard decision, but it's always been a dream of mine to play at the highest level I can possibly play at," … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Crandall decommits from Mankato, signs with Western Illinois
Hawkettes rally for dramatic victory, keep their Iowa Conference title hopes alive
The Ankeny girls' basketball team's bid to win the CIML Iowa Conference title was hanging by a thread on Tuesday at Fort Dodge. Trailing by 58-51 late in the fourth quarter, the 10th-ranked Hawkettes appeared to be dangerously close to falling out of championship contention. But Ankeny then rallied for 10 consecutive points down the stretch, posting a … [Read more...] about Hawkettes rally for dramatic victory, keep their Iowa Conference title hopes alive
Hawks pull away in 2nd half, defeat Fort Dodge by 18-point margin for 2nd time
The Ankeny boys' basketball team didn't have any time to dwell on Monday's loss to top-ranked Ames. The No. 6 Hawks traveled to Fort Dodge on Tuesday for another CIML Iowa Conference game and posted a 69-51 victory, defeating the Dodgers by an 18-point margin for the second time this season. "It was nice to win after a tough Monday night game," said … [Read more...] about Hawks pull away in 2nd half, defeat Fort Dodge by 18-point margin for 2nd time
‘They’re the best team in the state’: Ames boys snap Hawks’ 8-game winning streak
The Ankeny boys' basketball team made a huge statement with Friday's win at third-ranked Waukee Northwest. No. 1 Ames made one of its own on Monday. The Little Cyclones jumped out to a 13-0 lead and cruised to a 69-50 victory at No. 8 Ankeny, snapping the Hawks' eight-game winning streak. "They were definitely ready, and we just didn't have an … [Read more...] about ‘They’re the best team in the state’: Ames boys snap Hawks’ 8-game winning streak
Ankeny girls romp past Little Cyclones, get their swagger and confidence back
Monday's game against visiting Ames gave the Ankeny girls' basketball team a chance to reset mentally. Coming off its worst loss of the season, the 10th-ranked Hawkettes placed four players in double figures and rolled to a 77-19 victory in a CIML Iowa Conference contest. "We just kind of needed to recharge the battery and clear the mindset," said … [Read more...] about Ankeny girls romp past Little Cyclones, get their swagger and confidence back
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Ben Hansen, Ankeny wrestling
Sophomore Ben Hansen has helped the eighth-ranked Ankeny wrestling team to a 15-2 dual-meet record. He is ranked sixth at 126 pounds in Class 3A with a 25-6 mark. Hansen placed second in the CIML Invitational on Friday at Johnston, where he helped the Hawks to a third-place finish in the 18-team field. He reached the finals before losing by a technical … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Ben Hansen, Ankeny wrestling
Hawks, Jaguars could see familiar opponents in Class 4A substate play
The Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball teams could see some familiar opponents in substate play. The Iowa High School Athletic Association announced its postseason assignments on Friday. The eighth-ranked Hawks (12-2) have been placed in Class 4A Substate 1, while the Jaguars (9-6) have been placed in Substate 2. Ankeny will be joined in … [Read more...] about Hawks, Jaguars could see familiar opponents in Class 4A substate play
Hawks place 3rd, Jaguars finish 4th in final year of CIML’s 18-team tournament
As the wrestling season heads into the home stretch, both Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial are sitting in good positions. The two teams earned top-four finishes in the CIML Invitational on Friday at Johnston. This was the final year of the 18-team tournament before the CIML splits into two conferences next year. Eighth-ranked Ankeny placed third with 174 … [Read more...] about Hawks place 3rd, Jaguars finish 4th in final year of CIML’s 18-team tournament
‘It was a great team win’: Hawks knock off Northwest, will host No. 1 Ames next
This time, the Ankeny boys' basketball team didn't let a second-half lead slip away against Waukee Northwest. The eighth-ranked Hawks stayed alive in the race for the CIML Iowa Conference title with a 74-63 victory at No. 3 Northwest on Friday. The win was Ankeny's eighth in a row and avenged an earlier 57-50 loss to the Wolves. "It was a great team … [Read more...] about ‘It was a great team win’: Hawks knock off Northwest, will host No. 1 Ames next
‘Sometimes it’s just one of those nights’: Hawkettes suffer worst loss of season
It's been a season of memorable moments for the Ankeny girls' basketball team. Friday's game at Waukee Northwest will be a forgettable one. The 10th-ranked Hawkettes got off to a slow start and never really recovered in a 63-25 loss to No. 12 Northwest, which avenged an earlier 44-41 defeat at Ankeny. It was by far the worst loss of the season for … [Read more...] about ‘Sometimes it’s just one of those nights’: Hawkettes suffer worst loss of season
Marshalltown bowlers surpass 3,000-pin mark in victory over Ankeny boys’ squad
One of the state's best bowling teams visited Great Escape on Thursday for a CIML Iowa Conference dual meet against host Ankeny. The Marshalltown boys' squad lived up to the hype. The Bobcats defeated Ankeny by a score of 3,186 to 2,590. They improved to 9-1 on the season, while the Hawks dropped to 0-3 in the conference and 2-9 overall. Demitri … [Read more...] about Marshalltown bowlers surpass 3,000-pin mark in victory over Ankeny boys’ squad
‘This was a good time to step away’: State’s all-time winningest coach retires
Ankeny volleyball coach Dave Whims has retired again. Whims, who came out of retirement to coach the Hawkettes for a second stint in 2019, said this time he won't be coming back. "I'll do some consulting with coaches, and I'll share videos and drills with them," Whims said. "I think that'll keep me busy. But as far as being a head coach somewhere, I … [Read more...] about ‘This was a good time to step away’: State’s all-time winningest coach retires