Ankeny Fanatic

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Girls' Basketball

Valiant effort falls short as S.E. Polk’s late run foils upset bid by Hawkettes

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A few days ago, Ankeny girls' basketball coach Dru McAnelly said he thought he could have a pretty good basketball team by mid-January. If Tuesday's season opener against fifth-ranked Southeast Polk was any indication, it's not going to take that long. Ankeny battled the visiting Rams on even terms for much of the game before Southeast Polk pulled away … [Read more...] about Valiant effort falls short as S.E. Polk’s late run foils upset bid by Hawkettes

Hawkettes could experience growing pains, but McAnelly sees some potential

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It might take awhile for the Ankeny girls' basketball team to reach its potential. The Hawkettes return only two starters from a squad that posted a 10-7 record last year for the program's first winning season since the split into two high schools. "We are extremely young with only two seniors, and both of them have not played very many varsity minutes … [Read more...] about Hawkettes could experience growing pains, but McAnelly sees some potential

Changes coming in boys’ and girls’ basketball, bowling, and track and field

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Three recommendations from the joint committees of the Iowa High School Athletic Association and Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union have been recently approved by both boards for boys' and girls' competition in basketball, bowling, and track and field. The IGHSAU Board of Directors unanimously voted the measures through at their July meeting that will … [Read more...] about Changes coming in boys’ and girls’ basketball, bowling, and track and field

Blimpie Sub of the Week: Erin McKenna, Ankeny girls’ basketball

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Senior Erin McKenna helped the Ankeny girls' basketball team to a 10-7 record this season. McKenna played in nine of the 17 games, scoring a total of 16 points. She went 7-of-14 from the field. McKenna also contributed four rebounds, two assists and three steals. "Erin was the ultimate team player!" said Ankeny coach Dru McAnelly. "She was willing … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Erin McKenna, Ankeny girls’ basketball

Johnson, Maschoff, Phipps to compete in Senior All-Star Classic

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Three girls' basketball players from Ankeny have been selected by the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association to play in the Senior All-Star Classic on April 10-11 in Cedar Rapids. Abby Johnson and Ellie Maschoff of Ankeny will both play in the event. Maggie Phipps of Ankeny Centennial will also participate. Johnson and Phipps will both be members of the Class … [Read more...] about Johnson, Maschoff, Phipps to compete in Senior All-Star Classic

Phipps, Johnson earn all-state honors from Iowa Girls’ Coaches Association

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Maggie Phipps of Ankeny Centennial and Abby Johnson of Ankeny were among 12 girls' basketball players from the Central Iowa Metropolitan League to earn all-state honors from the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association. A total of 24 players was honored in Class 5A. Phipps, a senior guard, was named to the Class 5A first team. Johnson, a senior forward, was a … [Read more...] about Phipps, Johnson earn all-state honors from Iowa Girls’ Coaches Association

Phipps joins Ankeny’s Johnson, Pitz on CIML Iowa Conference first team

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Maggie Phipps led the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team to the semifinals of the Class 5A state tournament in her only season as a Jaguar. Abby Johnson and Jenna Pitz led Ankeny to its first winning record since the split into two high schools. All three players have been named to the CIML Iowa Conference first team by a vote of the league's … [Read more...] about Phipps joins Ankeny’s Johnson, Pitz on CIML Iowa Conference first team

Ankeny’s Johnson, Centennial’s Phipps named to Class 5A West all-district team

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Basketball standouts Abby Johnson of Ankeny and Maggie Phipps of Ankeny Centennial have both earned all-district honors from the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association. Johnson and Phipps were named to the Class 5A West team. The squad consists of 17 players, 15 of them from the CIML. Phipps, a senior guard, has led the Jaguars to a 15-2 record and a berth in … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Johnson, Centennial’s Phipps named to Class 5A West all-district team

‘Our girls battled all the way’: Hawkettes finish season with loss to No. 1 Waukee

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It's going to take a girls' basketball team with a lot of firepower to knock off top-ranked Waukee. Ankeny took its best shot on Tuesday in a Class 5A regional final. The Hawkettes just didn't have enough weapons to pull off the upset. Abby Johnson scored a career-high 23 points, but she was the only Ankeny player in double figures as the host Warriors … [Read more...] about ‘Our girls battled all the way’: Hawkettes finish season with loss to No. 1 Waukee

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Abby Johnson, Ankeny girls’ basketball

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Senior forward Abby Johnson scored a career-high 22 points to lead the Ankeny girls' basketball team to a 73-37 victory over visiting Ames in a Class 5A regional semifinal on Saturday. She has averaged 18.4 points over the last five games. The Hawkettes (10-6) will play at top-ranked Waukee (9-1) in the regional final on Tuesday at 7 p.m. Here is some … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Abby Johnson, Ankeny girls’ basketball

Hawkettes top Ames girls for 3rd time, earn rematch against No. 1 Waukee

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A regional final matchup against top-ranked Waukee isn't going to intimidate the Ankeny girls' basketball team. If the Hawkettes play like they did on Saturday night, they might even pull off a huge upset. "Coming off this game, I think we played really well," Ankeny guard Jenna Pitz said after the Hawkettes' 73-37 victory over visiting Ames in a Class … [Read more...] about Hawkettes top Ames girls for 3rd time, earn rematch against No. 1 Waukee

Hawkettes top Ames in potential preview of Class 5A regional semifinal

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The Ankeny and Ames girls' basketball teams were both missing a key player for Friday's regular-season finale at Ankeny. Only one of them could be back next Saturday, when the two squads will likely face off again in a Class 5A regional semifinal. Forwards Calyssa Wright of Ankeny and Ashley Iiams of Ames both sat out with concussions as the Hawkettes … [Read more...] about Hawkettes top Ames in potential preview of Class 5A regional semifinal

Jaguars earn No. 1 seed in Region 5; No. 2 Waukee stands in Ankeny’s path to state

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The wait is over for the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball teams. The Hawkettes and Jaguars now know their postseason opponents. Fifth-ranked Ankeny Centennial (12-2) earned a No. 1 seed in Class 5A Region 5 and will host a semifinal game against Urbandale (3-7) on Saturday, Feb. 20 at 7 p.m. The two teams have not met this season. No. … [Read more...] about Jaguars earn No. 1 seed in Region 5; No. 2 Waukee stands in Ankeny’s path to state

Hawkettes snap four-game losing skid with largest win ever under McAnelly

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A car accident over the weekend left Ankeny girls' basketball player Calyssa Wright with a concussion. Fortunately for the Hawkettes, they didn't need her on Tuesday. Ankeny built a 53-10 halftime lead and cruised to a 79-21 victory over visiting Des Moines Hoover in a non-conference game. The Hawkettes (8-6) played for the first time in a week after … [Read more...] about Hawkettes snap four-game losing skid with largest win ever under McAnelly

Hawkettes tumble to Roosevelt for 4th loss to rated opponent in 6 days

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A matchup against a struggling opponent might be just what the Ankeny girls' basketball team needs right now. The 13th-ranked Hawkettes will travel to Marshalltown on Friday for a CIML Iowa Conference game against the Bobcats, who fell to 1-14 on the season with a 66-13 loss to No. 1 Johnston on Tuesday. Ankeny will be looking to end a four-game losing … [Read more...] about Hawkettes tumble to Roosevelt for 4th loss to rated opponent in 6 days

Christmann enjoys career night, but Valley gets the win on buzzer-beater

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When the Ankeny girls' basketball team needed a spark on Monday night, senior guard Rachael Christmann provided it. Christmann made five 3-point goals in the fourth quarter as the 13th-ranked Hawkettes overcame a 12-point deficit in a CIML non-conference game at No. 10 Valley. Her last 3-pointer from well behind the arc tied the score at 45-45 with 15 … [Read more...] about Christmann enjoys career night, but Valley gets the win on buzzer-beater

Jaguars hold off Ankeny’s upset bid, clinch share of Iowa Conference title

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The Ankeny girls' basketball team was in position on Friday to knock off crosstown rival Ankeny Centennial for the first time ever. But a pair of 3-point shots, one in the third quarter that would have put the Hawkettes ahead and another in the fourth that would have tied the game, bounced off the rim. Fifth-ranked Ankeny Centennial then pulled away in … [Read more...] about Jaguars hold off Ankeny’s upset bid, clinch share of Iowa Conference title

Hawkettes begin difficult four-game stretch with 69-50 loss at No. 9 Dowling

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A four-game stretch over the next six days--all of them against ranked opponents--will severely challenge the Ankeny girls' basketball team. There won't be much time for the 13th-ranked Hawkettes to celebrate a huge win--or to hang their heads following a tough loss. That's why Ankeny coach Dru McAnelly said his team would quickly move on from … [Read more...] about Hawkettes begin difficult four-game stretch with 69-50 loss at No. 9 Dowling