With the return of three double-digit scorers, the Ankeny girls' basketball team will likely boast one of the best offensive trios in the state. Senior guard Savannah Gage combined with junior guards Jayla Williams and Ainsley Kiene to average nearly 40 points per game last season. They helped the Hawkettes to a 13-10 record in their first season under … [Read more...] about Ankeny girls return trio of double-digit scorers in Gage, Williams and Kiene
Girls' Basketball
Ankeny to celebrate 20th anniversary of volleyball, girls’ basketball state titles
The 2004-05 school year was a memorable one for Ankeny High School's athletic teams. The volleyball team won the first state title in school history. A few months later, the girls' basketball squad captured a record fourth consecutive five-player crown. It's hard to believe that was 20 years ago. In honor of those two achievements, Ankeny High … [Read more...] about Ankeny to celebrate 20th anniversary of volleyball, girls’ basketball state titles
More all-state girls’ basketball honors for Centennial duo, Ankeny’s Williams
The Ankeny Centennial duo of Mya Crawford and Jaeden Pratt has received all-state girls' basketball honors from the Iowa Print Sports Writers Association along with Ankeny standout Jayla Williams. Crawford, a junior guard, was named to the Class 5A first team. She also earned first-team honors from the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association. Crawford led the … [Read more...] about More all-state girls’ basketball honors for Centennial duo, Ankeny’s Williams
Ankeny’s Howard, Jacks, Johnson named to academic all-state girls’ hoops team
Ankeny seniors Hannah Howard, Karsen Jacks and Cassie Johnson have been named to the academic all-state girls' basketball team by the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association. The trio helped the Hawkettes to a 13-10 record this season. Jacks, a Simpson recruit, has also been selected to play in the IGCA Senior All-Star Classic. The event will be held on April … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Howard, Jacks, Johnson named to academic all-state girls’ hoops team
Crawford, Pratt, Williams named all-state by Iowa Girls’ Coaches Association
Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball standout Mya Crawford has been named to the Class 5A all-state first team by the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association, while teammate Jaeden Pratt and Jayla Williams of Ankeny were both selected to the second team. Crawford, a junior guard, led the Jaguars to a 14-9 record and a trip to the state tournament. She set a school … [Read more...] about Crawford, Pratt, Williams named all-state by Iowa Girls’ Coaches Association
‘I’m proud of these girls’: Hawkettes fall short against Valley in regional final
When Karsen Jacks made a tough shot in the lane with 3 minutes 4 seconds left in Tuesday's Class 5A regional final, the Ankeny girls' basketball team appeared to be on the verge of qualifying for the state tournament for the first time since the split into two high schools in 2013. Jacks' basket gave the eighth-ranked Hawkettes a 34-29 lead over visiting … [Read more...] about ‘I’m proud of these girls’: Hawkettes fall short against Valley in regional final
Hawkettes roll past C.R. Kennedy, will host Valley for trip to state tournament
For the fourth year in a row, the Ankeny girls' basketball team is just one win away from a trip to the state tournament. This time, the Hawkettes will get to host the regional final. Eighth-ranked Ankeny opened postseason play on Saturday with a 58-40 victory over visiting Cedar Rapids Kennedy in a Class 5A regional semifinal. The Cougars finished the … [Read more...] about Hawkettes roll past C.R. Kennedy, will host Valley for trip to state tournament
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 249
In the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by Coldwell Banker Mid-America, publisher Dan Holm breaks down all of the boys' and girls' basketball postseason brackets with frequent guest Andy Pollock. … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 249
CIML Conference basketball standings
The Ankeny boys' basketball team played the role of a spoiler in the CIML Conference race. The Hawks rallied for a 76-72 victory at third-ranked Valley on Friday, knocking the Tigers out of a tie for first place in the league. Then, on Saturday, No. 7 Waukee clinched the outright conference title by rolling to a 91-53 win over Southeast Polk. On the … [Read more...] about CIML Conference basketball standings
Hawkettes rally past Valley in 4th period, lock up No. 1 seed in Class 5A Region 8
The eighth-ranked Ankeny girls' basketball team traveled to Valley on Friday for its regular-season finale and handed the No. 9 Tigers a damaging loss. An injury to standout post player Elise Jaeger could spell even more trouble for Valley with postseason play starting next week. Jaeger, a Northern Iowa recruit, scored 10 points before leaving the game … [Read more...] about Hawkettes rally past Valley in 4th period, lock up No. 1 seed in Class 5A Region 8
Regional pairings announced: Ankeny’s No. 1 seed could be at stake on Friday
The Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team has earned a No. 1 seed in Class 5A regional play. Ankeny was also awarded a No. 1 seed in Region 8 by the Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union, but the eighth-ranked Hawkettes may need to win at No. 9 Valley on Friday to earn the right to host a regional final. After receiving a first-round bye, Ankeny … [Read more...] about Regional pairings announced: Ankeny’s No. 1 seed could be at stake on Friday
Jacks ties her career-high with 30 points, leads Hawkettes to win at Urbandale
Karsen Jacks tied her career-high with 30 points to lead the Ankeny girls' basketball team to a 66-38 victory at Urbandale on Tuesday. Jacks, who made 11-of-16 shots from the field, also scored 30 points in an overtime win against then-No. 6 Cedar Falls on Nov. 21. "I was just taking what the defense was giving me," said Jacks, who also had seven … [Read more...] about Jacks ties her career-high with 30 points, leads Hawkettes to win at Urbandale
Hawkettes put huge scare into No. 1 Johnston before upset bid falls short
The Ankeny girls' basketball team had nothing to lose on Monday night. It nearly resulted in a massive upset. The eighth-ranked Hawkettes put a huge scare into No. 1 Johnston before the visiting Dragons, who are ranked 20th in the nation by ESPN, scored the last six points of the game to hold on for a 62-52 victory. "It was nice to see our girls … [Read more...] about Hawkettes put huge scare into No. 1 Johnston before upset bid falls short
CIML Conference basketball standings
The CIML Conference boys' basketball race is far from over. Third-ranked Valley posted an 84-60 victory over Southeast Polk on Friday and moved one game behind No. 5 Waukee, which dropped a 66-45 decision at Johnston. The Tigers will host Waukee on Tuesday and can move into a tie for first place with a victory. Ankeny moved into third place with a … [Read more...] about CIML Conference basketball standings
Johnson outduels Winkel in shootout, leads Ankeny boys past No. 8 Centennial
Two of the state's best boys' basketball players put on a dazzling display Friday at the Ankeny gym. Only one of them walked away with a victory. Ankeny's Carson Johnson poured in 38 points to offset a career-high 37 from Ankeny Centennial's Luke Winkel and the Hawks avenged an earlier loss with a 76-63 win. "It's always a great rivalry," said … [Read more...] about Johnson outduels Winkel in shootout, leads Ankeny boys past No. 8 Centennial
‘She’s a clutch player’: Blackmore’s late trey seals Jaguars’ win over Ankeny
There's something about the Ankeny girls' basketball team that brings out the best in Ankeny Centennial's Finley Blackmore. The fifth-ranked Jaguars were clinging to a 47-45 lead on Friday at No. 8 Ankeny when Blackmore, a junior guard, made a 3-point goal from the left corner with 1 minute 15 seconds left. Her squad went on to post a 53-45 … [Read more...] about ‘She’s a clutch player’: Blackmore’s late trey seals Jaguars’ win over Ankeny
Here are Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for the Jag-Hawk basketball rematches
Round 2 of the Jag-Hawk basketball showdowns will be held on Friday at Ankeny, where Ankeny Centennial will try to complete a sweep of both the boys' and girls' series for the fourth time ever. Bragging rights will be at stake along with positioning in the CIML Conference. The winner of the boys' game will own sole possession of third place in the league … [Read more...] about Here are Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for the Jag-Hawk basketball rematches
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 247
In the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by Coldwell Banker Mid-America, publisher Dan Holm previews Friday's Jag-Hawk hoops doubleheader with girls' coaches Nate Tobey of Ankeny and Scott DeJong of Ankeny Centennial along with boys' coaches Brandt Carlson of Ankeny and Bob Fontana of Ankeny Centennial. Coldwell Banker realtor Tom … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 247
CIML Conference basketball standings
Perhaps the top-ranked Johnston girls' basketball team isn't unbeatable after all. No. 5 Ankeny Centennial led for much of the game on Friday before the visiting Dragons rallied for a 64-59 victory. It marked the first time this season that Johnston defeated its opponent by fewer than 10 points. "I think we beat them every quarter but the third," said … [Read more...] about CIML Conference basketball standings
‘We just found our groove’: Gage’s late heroics lift Ankeny girls past Wolves
Savannah Gage and the Ankeny girls' basketball team have found their mojo. Gage scored 11 consecutive points over the final 2 minutes 55 seconds and the ninth-ranked Hawkettes held off No. 10 Waukee Northwest, 50-45, in a CIML Conference game on Friday at Ankeny. The win snapped a two-game losing skid for Ankeny, which had shot just 20.7 percent … [Read more...] about ‘We just found our groove’: Gage’s late heroics lift Ankeny girls past Wolves