The reward finally came for the Ankeny girls' basketball team. After suffering back-to-back losses to a pair of ranked opponents by a combined five points, the Hawkettes earned a close win of their own on Tuesday with a 48-45 victory at Des Moines Roosevelt in a non-conference game. They improved their record to 6-10 while snapping a five-game losing … [Read more...] about Ankeny girls snap five-game losing streak with victory at Roosevelt
Girls' Basketball
Hawkettes lose another heartbreaker, fall to No. 9 Urbandale in OT
Ankeny girls' basketball coach Dru McAnelly isn't fond of moral victories. But that's exactly what his short-handed squad came away with on Friday. The Hawkettes battled ninth-ranked Urbandale into overtime before dropping a 59-57 decision at Ankeny. It was another strong effort by McAnelly's team that wasn't rewarded with a win. "That's a top-10 … [Read more...] about Hawkettes lose another heartbreaker, fall to No. 9 Urbandale in OT
Centennial boys maintain league lead; Dowling girls take over top spot
The race for the CIML Central Conference boys' basketball title could be turning into a two-team battle. Ankeny Centennial maintained sole possession of the league lead with a 50-29 victory over visiting Ames on Friday. Ankeny remained one game behind the Jaguars as Braxton Bayless scored the winning basket in the final seconds to give the Hawks a 65-63 … [Read more...] about Centennial boys maintain league lead; Dowling girls take over top spot
Hawkettes pass ‘test of character’, but Valley girls escape with victory
After losing to its crosstown rival on Monday, the Ankeny girls' basketball team was anxious to get back on the court. The Hawkettes didn't have to wait too long. Ankeny hosted 15th-ranked Valley on Tuesday and battled the Class 5A defending state champion down to the wire before dropping a 62-59 decision. "It was good to try to get back in the … [Read more...] about Hawkettes pass ‘test of character’, but Valley girls escape with victory
Burns leads the way at both ends as Centennial girls roll past Hawkettes
The Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team sometimes struggles to score. But the Jaguars' defense never seems to take a day off. On Monday, 10th-ranked Centennial excelled at both ends of the floor as the Jaguars cruised to a 57-29 victory over visiting Ankeny. "We had some possessions where we really locked into them well," said Centennial coach … [Read more...] about Burns leads the way at both ends as Centennial girls roll past Hawkettes
Centennial boys top Ankeny, take sole possession of Central Conference lead
The sixth-ranked Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team moved into sole possession of first place in the CIML Central Conference with a 69-61 victory over No. 9 Ankeny on Monday at Centennial. Centennial entered the game tied atop the league standings with Ankeny and No. 10 Dowling Catholic. But the Jaguars received some help from Ames, which posted a … [Read more...] about Centennial boys top Ankeny, take sole possession of Central Conference lead
Hawkettes respond to coach’s challenge, but rally falls short at No. 2 Johnston
Ankeny girls' basketball coach Dru McAnelly issued a challenge to his players on Thursday. The Hawkettes responded in a big way. After trailing by 36-18 at halftime, Ankeny pulled within five points of second-ranked Johnston with about 5 minutes left to play before the host Dragons held on for a 70-60 victory. The outcome was a big improvement for … [Read more...] about Hawkettes respond to coach’s challenge, but rally falls short at No. 2 Johnston
Hawks move into tie for first place in CIML Central Conference
The Ankeny boys' basketball team moved into a tie for first place in the CIML Central Conference on Thursday. And the Hawks did it in thrilling fashion. Ankeny rallied from a 19-point deficit in the second half to post an 80-74 victory at Johnston. Braxton Bayless poured in a career-high 30 points and had two huge steals in the final 30 seconds that … [Read more...] about Hawks move into tie for first place in CIML Central Conference
‘We’ve just got to flush it’: Hawkettes suffer their worst loss under McAnelly
It was just one of those nights for the Ankeny girls' basketball team. The Hawkettes fell into a 26-4 hole at the end of the first quarter during Tuesday's game at fourth-ranked Dowling Catholic. They never recovered after that and eventually dropped a 77-27 decision. It was Ankeny's worst loss under coach Dru McAnelly and was the Hawkettes' worst … [Read more...] about ‘We’ve just got to flush it’: Hawkettes suffer their worst loss under McAnelly
CIML Central Conference basketball standings
While one long winning streak continued on Tuesday in CIML Central Conference basketball action, another one came to an end. The Ankeny boys' team avenged its only loss of the season with a 77-73 victory at seventh-ranked Dowling Catholic. The loss snapped the Maroons' eight-game winning streak. Braxton Bayless scored 24 points and Brecken Manus added … [Read more...] about CIML Central Conference basketball standings
Jag-Hawk basketball doubleheader rescheduled for Jan. 20
The Jag-Hawk basketball doubleheader that was supposed to be played on Friday at Ankeny Centennial has been rescheduled for Monday, Jan. 20. The girls' game will be played at 5:30 p.m., with the boys' contest to follow at 7. The Centennial teams will now host three games in a five-day span next week. The Jaguars will host a non-conference game against Des … [Read more...] about Jag-Hawk basketball doubleheader rescheduled for Jan. 20
A big week ahead for CIML Central Conference basketball teams
Mother Nature wreaked havoc on the high school basketball schedule Friday, forcing all of the teams in the CIML Central Conference to try to reschedule their games. However, the Jag-Hawk doubleheader that was supposed to be played at Ankeny Centennial has yet to be rescheduled. Dowling Catholic and Urbandale played their games on Saturday at Urbandale. … [Read more...] about A big week ahead for CIML Central Conference basketball teams
Here’s what to look for in the Jag-Hawk basketball games
(EDITOR'S NOTE: Tonight's games have been postponed due to the weather. Make-up date to be determined.) The Jag-Hawk basketball rivalry resumes on Friday night at Ankeny Centennial, where two good matchups are on tap. Here are some things to look for in both games: GIRLS--Ankeny (0-3, 5-5) at 10th-ranked Centennial (1-2, 6-4) * Can the Hawkettes … [Read more...] about Here’s what to look for in the Jag-Hawk basketball games
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 77
Check out the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by the Ankeny office of Iowa Realty. Defensive backs Riley Moss of Iowa and Tyler Rodgers of Iowa State stopped by to discuss their respective football seasons with Ankeny Fanatic publisher Dan Holm, who also previewed Friday's Jag-Hawk girls' basketball game with Ankeny coach Dru … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 77
Hawkettes use 19-0 run to beat Ottumwa, snap 4-game losing skid
A 19-0 run in the second quarter helped the Ankeny girls' basketball team snap a four-game losing skid on Tuesday. The Hawkettes built a 37-19 halftime advantage at Ottumwa and went on to post a 62-45 victory over the Bulldogs in a non-conference game. "I thought we could press and really bother them and then fall back," said Ankeny coach Dru … [Read more...] about Hawkettes use 19-0 run to beat Ottumwa, snap 4-game losing skid
CIML Central Conference basketball standings
The Dowling Catholic boys' basketball team dominated the first quarter on Friday en route to a 68-55 victory over visiting Ankeny Centennial in a battle of top-10 squads. The ninth-ranked Maroons jumped out to a 19-5 lead and No. 2 Centennial never recovered. The Jaguars closed to within 29-22 in the second quarter before Dowling pulled away to move into … [Read more...] about CIML Central Conference basketball standings
Hawkettes lose Trimble for the season, tumble to Ames after slow start
The Ankeny girls' basketball team suffered its fourth consecutive loss on Friday. Off the court, the Hawkettes were also dealt a major blow. Senior forward Holly Trimble, who was averaging 4.0 points and 3.5 rebounds per game, has been ruled out for the season. She has been battling a rare bone growth disorder and will have surgery on Jan. … [Read more...] about Hawkettes lose Trimble for the season, tumble to Ames after slow start
Some early observations from the high school basketball season
Is it too early to make some observations about what has transpired in the first month of the high school basketball season? It could be, but that's not going to stop Ankeny Fanatic from doing just that. Here are some random thoughts from what I've seen thus far on the hardcourts in the CIML: * The Ankeny Centennial boys' team is a legitimate … [Read more...] about Some early observations from the high school basketball season
Hot-shooting Urbandale girls hand Hawkettes their 3rd straight loss
The Ankeny girls' basketball team tried to counter Urbandale's superior size with a zone defense. The ninth-ranked J-Hawks spoiled the strategy with some deadly outside shooting. Urbandale made nine 3-point goals and defeated the visiting Hawkettes, 65-50, in a CIML Central Conference game on Friday. Jada Gyamfi and Faith Putz each had a trio of … [Read more...] about Hot-shooting Urbandale girls hand Hawkettes their 3rd straight loss
CIML Central Conference basketball standings
The Ankeny Centennial and Dowling Catholic boys' basketball teams both picked up a second road victory in CIML Central Conference play on Friday, setting up a showdown for first place when the two teams collide on Jan. 3 at Dowling. The Jaguars remained unbeaten with a 63-39 victory at Ames. The Maroons, meanwhile, posted a 54-38 triumph at Johnston for … [Read more...] about CIML Central Conference basketball standings