It would have been easy for the Ankeny girls' basketball team to overlook visiting Mason City on Tuesday. The Mohawks lost their first eight games of the season, including a 71-47 decision to Ankeny on Dec. 11. But Mason City had been playing much better of late, scoring 69 points in a loss to sixth-ranked Cedar Falls on Dec. 19. And the Mohawks … [Read more...] about Hawkettes shut down Mason City, will play Ames next in battle for 2nd place
Girls' Basketball
Struggling Bobcats provide breather for Ankeny girls after back-to-back losses
After a couple of losses against top-five teams, the Ankeny girls' basketball squad got a breather on Friday night. The Hawkettes scored the first 21 points of the game and went on to defeat visiting Marshalltown, 56-17, in a CIML Iowa Conference contest. It was the fewest points allowed by Ankeny since the 2017-18 season, when the Hawkettes posted a … [Read more...] about Struggling Bobcats provide breather for Ankeny girls after back-to-back losses
‘We had different people step up’: Jaguars hold off Ankeny’s strong effort
A strong effort by the Ankeny girls' basketball team wasn't enough to produce a victory on Tuesday night. Its crosstown rival was just a little bit better. Fifth-ranked Ankeny Centennial pulled away in the second half to defeat the visiting Hawkettes, 57-41, in a CIML Iowa Conference game. The Jaguars improved to 15-0 all-time against Ankeny, but this … [Read more...] about ‘We had different people step up’: Jaguars hold off Ankeny’s strong effort
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Ellie Maschoff, Ankeny girls’ basketball
Senior guard Ellie Maschoff has helped the Ankeny girls' basketball team to a 3-1 record. She is averaging 9.5 points and 5.3 rebounds per game. Maschoff scored a season-high 13 points in the Hawkettes' 74-44 victory over visiting Fort Dodge on Dec. 18. She went 3-for-4 from 3-point range. Here is some inside info on Maschoff: How is the season … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Ellie Maschoff, Ankeny girls’ basketball
Blimpie Sub of the Week: Katelyn Anderson, Ankeny girls’ basketball
Junior forward Katelyn Anderson has helped the Ankeny girls' basketball team to a 3-1 record. Anderson had seven points and four rebounds as the Hawkettes opened their season with a 71-47 victory at Mason City on Dec. 11. She is averaging 2.0 points and 1.3 rebounds per game. "Katelyn brings a variety of things (to the team)," said Ankeny coach Dru … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Katelyn Anderson, Ankeny girls’ basketball
Central Bank Athlete of the Month: Abby Johnson, Ankeny senior
‘They were hitting everything’: Waukee girls make 12 3-pointers, roll past Ankeny
A 3-0 start for the Ankeny girls' basketball team consisted of victories over Mason City, Pella and Fort Dodge. None of those teams is in the same stratosphere as Waukee. The Hawkettes discovered that reality on Monday as third-ranked Waukee opened its season with an 81-38 victory over Ankeny at the Waukee Fieldhouse. The Warriors made 12 3-point goals … [Read more...] about ‘They were hitting everything’: Waukee girls make 12 3-pointers, roll past Ankeny
Hawkettes remain unbeaten, gear up for Monday’s showdown at No. 3 Waukee
The Ankeny girls' basketball team remained unbeaten with a 74-44 victory over visiting Fort Dodge on Friday. The Hawkettes jumped out to a 23-10 lead at the end of the first quarter. They extended the margin to 45-24 at halftime. "I thought we ran in transition very well and did an extremely good job at making the extra pass," said Ankeny coach Dru … [Read more...] about Hawkettes remain unbeaten, gear up for Monday’s showdown at No. 3 Waukee
Hawkettes battle back from early deficit to post 54-50 victory at Pella
Overcoming a slow start, the Ankeny girls' basketball team battled back for a 54-50 victory at Pella on Tuesday. The Hawkettes fell behind after the first quarter, 16-9. They rallied to take a 29-26 halftime lead, then held off the Little Dutch down the stretch in the non-conference game. "It was kind of an ugly, hard-fought win," said Ankeny coach Dru … [Read more...] about Hawkettes battle back from early deficit to post 54-50 victory at Pella
Hawkettes overcome ‘tricky situation’, romp past Mason City in opener
The Ankeny girls' basketball team got double-digit scoring from four different players and opened its season with a 71-47 victory at Mason City on Friday. Ankeny coach Dru McAnelly often stresses the importance of having three players score in double figures. Four is even better. "I think our winning percentage is definitely way higher when we have … [Read more...] about Hawkettes overcome ‘tricky situation’, romp past Mason City in opener
Healthy Hawkettes welcome Johnson back along with 3 other starters
Ankeny senior Abby Johnson has been waiting nearly two years to get back on the basketball court. Now, she'll have to wait a little longer. Johnson, who missed her entire junior season due to a knee injury, is now fully healthy. But she and her teammates are currently unable to practice while the Ankeny school district has moved to virtual … [Read more...] about Healthy Hawkettes welcome Johnson back along with 3 other starters
‘At NSU I truly felt at home!’: Ankeny’s Johnson commits to play for D2 Wolves
Ankeny girls' basketball standout Abby Johnson is anxious to take her game to the next level. Now, she knows where she'll be playing. The senior guard has verbally committed to play for Northern State, an NCAA Division II program located in Aberdeen, S.D. "I looked at a lot of schools, and it was a hard decision," said Johnson. "It ultimately came … [Read more...] about ‘At NSU I truly felt at home!’: Ankeny’s Johnson commits to play for D2 Wolves
Burns named to Class 5A second team; Pitz earns third-team honors
Ankeny Centennial's Meg Burns and Ankeny's Kayla Pitz were among 13 girls' basketball players from the Central Iowa Metropolitan League to earn all-state honors from the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association. Burns, a senior guard, was selected to the Class 5A second team. She led the Jaguars to a 13-10 record this season. Burns averaged 12.2 points per game … [Read more...] about Burns named to Class 5A second team; Pitz earns third-team honors
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 85
Check out the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by the Ankeny office of Iowa Realty. Boys' basketball coaches Brandt Carlson of Ankeny and Bob Fontana of Ankeny Centennial--along with Jaguars senior Preston Kelling--stopped by to preview next week's state tournament with Ankeny Fanatic publisher Dan Holm, who also interviewed … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 85
Burns named to all-conference 1st team; Runchey, Pitz earn 2nd-team honors
Ankeny Centennial standout Meg Burns has been unanimously selected to the CIML Central Conference first team by a vote of the league's girls' basketball coaches. She led the Jaguars to a 13-10 record this season. Burns, a senior guard, averaged a team-high 12.2 points per game and shot 48.4 percent from 3-point range, making 61-of-126 attempts. The … [Read more...] about Burns named to all-conference 1st team; Runchey, Pitz earn 2nd-team honors
Blimpie Sub of the Week: Rachael Christmann, Ankeny girls’ basketball
Junior guard Rachael Christmann helped the Ankeny girls' basketball team to a 10-13 record this season. Christmann played in 19 of the 23 games, averaging 3.7 points and 1.3 rebounds. She shot 43.5 percent from 3-point range, making 20-of-46 attempts. Christmann went 3-for-4 from behind the arc and scored a career-high 11 points in the Hawkettes' … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Rachael Christmann, Ankeny girls’ basketball
Third-quarter scoring drought proves costly as Hawkettes fall to C.B. Lincoln
The Ankeny girls' basketball players had no reason to hang their heads following Saturday's 67-53 loss at Council Bluffs Lincoln in a Class 5A regional semifinal. The Hawkettes, who finished with a 10-13 record, exceeded most expectations after losing two of their top players to season-ending injuries. "I think we only had three or four wins when we … [Read more...] about Third-quarter scoring drought proves costly as Hawkettes fall to C.B. Lincoln
Harrington, ‘Splash Sisters’ shoot lights out in regional win over Polar Bears
During Golden State's recent dominance of the NBA, the Warriors have been known as the Splash Brothers. On Wednesday night, the Ankeny girls' basketball team looked like a version of the Splash Sisters. The Hawkettes made 14 3-point goals and rolled to a 76-32 victory over visiting Des Moines North in a Class 5A regional quarterfinal. The Polar Bears … [Read more...] about Harrington, ‘Splash Sisters’ shoot lights out in regional win over Polar Bears
Centennial’s Burns, Ankeny’s Pitz named to Class 5A West all-district team
Senior guards Meg Burns of Ankeny Centennial and Kayla Pitz of Ankeny have both been named to the Class 5A West all-district girls' basketball team by the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association. Burns has led the 12th-ranked Jaguars to a 12-9 record. She is averaging a team-high 12.0 points per game while shooting 49.1 percent from 3-point range … [Read more...] about Centennial’s Burns, Ankeny’s Pitz named to Class 5A West all-district team
Hawkettes fall to Johnston in finale, but could get rematch in regional final
The Ankeny girls' basketball players would like nothing more than another chance to play third-ranked Johnston. The two teams can only meet again in a Class 5A regional final on Feb. 25. But if it happens, that means Ankeny has defeated Des Moines North and No. 14 Council Bluffs Lincoln in the first two rounds of the postseason. Johnston showed on … [Read more...] about Hawkettes fall to Johnston in finale, but could get rematch in regional final