Ankeny Fanatic

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Girls' Basketball

‘Fearless’ Hawkettes battle back, but fall short against No. 2 S.E. Polk

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The Ankeny girls' basketball team took a step forward Tuesday night despite suffering a 74-61 loss to visiting Southeast Polk. The second-ranked Rams shot 61.3 percent from the field, including 11-of-19 from 3-point range, while raising their record to 7-0. But Ankeny coach Dru McAnelly was not unhappy with his team's defensive effort. "I actually … [Read more...] about ‘Fearless’ Hawkettes battle back, but fall short against No. 2 S.E. Polk

Clark, Gaber lead No. 3 Dowling girls past Hawkettes in conference opener

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Ankeny girls' basketball coach Dru McAnelly wasn't worried about stopping Dowling Catholic star Caitlin Clark heading into Friday's CIML Central Conference opener. It was fellow senior Grace Gaber who concerned McAnelly the most. "Going into the game, obviously Caitlin is going to get her (points). That's just a given," McAnelly said of Clark, the Iowa … [Read more...] about Clark, Gaber lead No. 3 Dowling girls past Hawkettes in conference opener

Hawkettes extend winning streak, will host showdown against Dowling next

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The Ankeny girls' basketball team will take a four-game winning streak into its CIML Central Conference opener on Friday. The Hawkettes rolled to a 54-18 victory at Des Moines Lincoln on Tuesday to raise their record to 4-1. The Railsplitters dropped to 0-3. "It was a nice team win," said Ankeny coach Dru McAnelly. "Once again, we shared the ball very … [Read more...] about Hawkettes extend winning streak, will host showdown against Dowling next

Hawkettes record 15 steals, romp past East for 3rd straight victory

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There wasn't much of a buzz in the Des Moines East gym on Monday night. A sparse crowd forced the Ankeny girls' basketball team to create its own excitement. The Hawkettes jumped out to a 21-7 lead in the first quarter and rolled to a 59-28 victory over East in a CIML make-up game. "I told the girls before the game that there was no boys' game, and … [Read more...] about Hawkettes record 15 steals, romp past East for 3rd straight victory

‘A breath of fresh air’: Trimble returns to lineup, helps Hawkettes to 57-36 win

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Holly Trimble stepped on the basketball court Friday for the first time this season. The senior forward is hoping to stay there. Trimble scored eight points in her season debut to help the Ankeny girls' squad to a 57-36 victory over visiting Fort Dodge. She sat out the first two games while battling a rare bone growth disorder. "I just started my … [Read more...] about ‘A breath of fresh air’: Trimble returns to lineup, helps Hawkettes to 57-36 win

Pitz scores career-high 19 points in Hawkettes’ victory over North

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Like a lot of teams, the Ankeny girls' basketball squad showed a lot of improvement between its first and second games. The Hawkettes dominated from the start and rolled to a 52-32 victory at Des Moines North on Tuesday, evening their record at 1-1. The Polar Bears dropped to 0-3. "We had great energy from the opening tip tonight," said Ankeny coach … [Read more...] about Pitz scores career-high 19 points in Hawkettes’ victory over North

Blimpie Sub of the Week: Calyssa Wright, Ankeny girls’ basketball

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Junior forward Calyssa Wright is a member of the Ankeny girls' basketball team. She played in seven games last year as a sophomore, but is expected to play a major role this season for the Hawkettes. Wright scored eight points and grabbed six rebounds in Ankeny's season-opening 83-61 loss to visiting Mason City on Nov. 22. She then had seven points on … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Calyssa Wright, Ankeny girls’ basketball

Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Ashley Harrington, Ankeny basketball

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Senior guard Ashley Harrington is one of the top returning players for the Ankeny girls' basketball team. A year ago, she averaged 7.6 points per game and made 20 3-point goals while helping the Hawkettes to a 9-12 record. Harrington scored 15 points, 13 of them in the first half, as Ankeny opened the season on Nov. 22 with an 83-61 loss to visiting Mason … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Ashley Harrington, Ankeny basketball

Deets pours in 39 points, leads Mason City girls past Ankeny in season opener

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Both the Ankeny and Mason City girls' basketball teams entered Friday's season opener with some question marks. The Mohawks, who are 13th in Class 4A in the preseason rankings, appear to have found some answers. Anna Deets made six of her team's 11 3-point goals and poured in 39 points to lead Mason City to an 83-61 victory at Ankeny. The senior guard … [Read more...] about Deets pours in 39 points, leads Mason City girls past Ankeny in season opener

Ankeny girls look for up-tempo attack to overcome lack of height

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When the Ankeny girls' basketball team opens the season on Friday against visiting Mason City, the Hawkettes will try to make up for their lack of height with an up-tempo attack. Ankeny will no longer be able to rely on all-state forward Sara McCullough, who is now playing for Northern Iowa. The Hawkettes will also be without junior forward Abby Johnson … [Read more...] about Ankeny girls look for up-tempo attack to overcome lack of height

Blimpie Sub of the Week: Isabelle Vacek, Ankeny girls’ basketball

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Isabelle Vacek was one of the top reserves on the Ankeny girls' basketball team. The junior post player helped the Hawkettes to a 9-12 record this season. She scored a career-high 10 points and grabbed eight rebounds in a 63-24 victory over visiting Des Moines North on Nov. 27. Vacek averaged 2.7 points and 2.5 rebounds per game. She made 63.9 … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Isabelle Vacek, Ankeny girls’ basketball

McCullough scores 1,000th career point in Hawkettes’ season-ending loss to East

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Dru McAnelly is a big fan of the Iowa Hawkeyes, who defeated Rutgers on Saturday on a miracle 3-pointer at the buzzer. About 30 minutes before Joe Weiskamp banked in the game-winner for the Hawkeyes from the corner, McAnelly's Ankeny girls' basketball team was in a similar position, down two points with the ball in the final seconds. However, the … [Read more...] about McCullough scores 1,000th career point in Hawkettes’ season-ending loss to East

Johnston girls top Hawkettes, are ‘No. 1 in the state for a reason’

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The Ankeny girls' basketball team nearly upset Johnston on Dec. 21, building a 13-point halftime lead before dropping a 66-64 decision to the host Dragons. On Friday, third-ranked Johnston was ready for the rematch right from the opening tip. The Dragons jumped out to an early 15-7 lead and went on to post a 65-50 victory at Ankeny in the … [Read more...] about Johnston girls top Hawkettes, are ‘No. 1 in the state for a reason’

Johnson provides ‘extra punch on offense’, leads Hawkettes past Hoover

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The return of Abby Johnson could make the Ankeny girls' basketball team a dangerous opponent in postseason play. Johnson scored 17 points on Tuesday in her second game back from a foot injury as the Hawkettes rolled to a 58-26 victory over visiting Des Moines Hoover. "I feel like I'm getting stronger and more confident with each game I play," said … [Read more...] about Johnson provides ‘extra punch on offense’, leads Hawkettes past Hoover

Hawkettes outlast Clark, Dowling to earn their biggest victory under McAnelly

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It's been a season full of adversity for the Ankeny girls' basketball team. Friday's thrilling victory over 11th-ranked Dowling Catholic may have been a turning point for the Hawkettes. Ankeny rallied from a 15-point deficit on its home court to post a 64-61 win over the Maroons, overcoming a 47-point performance by Dowling's Caitlin Clark. "There … [Read more...] about Hawkettes outlast Clark, Dowling to earn their biggest victory under McAnelly

Johnston clinches outright girls’ title, earns at least share of boys’ crown

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One of the CIML Central Conference basketball trophies is headed to Johnston High School. Another one could be headed there soon. The third-ranked Johnston girls' team clinched the outright conference championship with a 46-27 victory over No. 9 Ankeny Centennial on Friday at Johnston. The Dragons avenged their only league loss with a strong defensive … [Read more...] about Johnston clinches outright girls’ title, earns at least share of boys’ crown

Hawkettes hold off Roosevelt’s rally for much-needed win

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Ankeny girls' basketball coach Dru McAnelly breathed a sigh of relief following Monday's game against visiting Des Moines Roosevelt. The Hawkettes built a 16-point lead in the first half before holding on down the stretch for a 56-52 victory. It was just their second win in the last nine games since sophomore forward Abby Johnson suffered a deep bone … [Read more...] about Hawkettes hold off Roosevelt’s rally for much-needed win

Hawkettes rally behind Christmann, but Ames holds on for 47-45 victory

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Perhaps one of these days the Ankeny girls' basketball team will be back to full strength. Until then, however, the Hawkettes could have more nights like Friday, when they battled 14th-ranked Ames down to the wire before dropping a 47-45 decision at Ankeny. "It's kind of been the story of our year," Ankeny coach Dru McAnelly said of his team's various … [Read more...] about Hawkettes rally behind Christmann, but Ames holds on for 47-45 victory