Ankeny Fanatic

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Girls' Basketball

Hawkettes overcome ‘tricky situation’, romp past Mason City in opener

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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

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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

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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

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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

Burns named to all-conference 1st team; Runchey, Pitz earn 2nd-team honors

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

Centennial boys finish 9-1 in league; Dowling, Johnston girls tie for crown

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While the CIML Central Conference boys' basketball title had already been decided last week, the girls' crown came down to the final night of the regular season. Third-ranked Johnston clinched a share of the league title with a 76-38 victory on Friday at Ankeny. Kendall Nead had 24 points and five assists as the Dragons improved to 19-2 on the … [Read more...] about Centennial boys finish 9-1 in league; Dowling, Johnston girls tie for crown

Girls’ pairings announced: Jaguars, Hawkettes draw tough roads to state

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The Class 5A regional basketball pairings have been released by the Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union. Both Ankeny and 12th-ranked Ankeny Centennial might have to defeat a top-five opponent in order to qualify for the state tournament. The Jaguars (11-9) have been placed in Region 6. They will host Indianola (13-6) or Des Moines East (5-15) in a … [Read more...] about Girls’ pairings announced: Jaguars, Hawkettes draw tough roads to state

Hawkettes make 15 3-point goals, score season-high 78 points at Hoover

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Once the shots started falling for the Ankeny girls' basketball team on Tuesday, they just kept dropping. The Hawkettes made 15 3-point goals and rolled to a 78-46 victory at Des Moines Hoover in a non-conference game. It was their highest offensive output of the season and their highest in four years under coach Dru McAnelly. "Hoover isn't very good, … [Read more...] about Hawkettes make 15 3-point goals, score season-high 78 points at Hoover

‘It’s always been a slugfest’: Centennial tops Hawkettes in defensive battle

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The Ankeny girls' basketball team turned in a spectacular defensive effort on Friday. It wasn't enough to knock off archrival Ankeny Centennial. The 12th-ranked Jaguars pulled away in the fourth quarter to post a 43-27 victory at Ankeny. They closed out the game with a 16-2 run. "This is the way it's been down here for the last seven years. It's … [Read more...] about ‘It’s always been a slugfest’: Centennial tops Hawkettes in defensive battle

‘It’s a really great feeling’: Jaguars edge Ankeny to clinch conference title

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Ankeny Centennial's Cody McCullough wasn't happy when he missed a free throw with 9 seconds left in Friday's game at Ankeny. The miss allowed the Hawks to have an opportunity to win the game on the final possession. Braxton Bayless fired a pass to Jaxon Smith in the left corner, but Smith's 3-point try bounced off the rim in the final seconds. … [Read more...] about ‘It’s a really great feeling’: Jaguars edge Ankeny to clinch conference title

Jag-Hawk II: Boys to play for league crown; Girls’ game more about pride

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A lot will be at stake on Friday when the two Ankeny boys' basketball teams meet for the second time in less than three weeks. Second-ranked Ankeny Centennial heads across town for a rematch against the Hawks, who will be looking to avenge a 69-61 loss at Centennial on Jan. 20. The Jaguars (7-1, 16-1) can clinch the outright CIML Central Conference title … [Read more...] about Jag-Hawk II: Boys to play for league crown; Girls’ game more about pride

Reserves shine as Hawkettes romp past Marshalltown to extend winning streak

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Ankeny girls' basketball coach Dru McAnelly wasn't happy with his team's effort in the first quarter of Tuesday's game against visiting Marshalltown. The Hawkettes held a 12-9 lead after the opening period against a struggling squad that had scored just 14 and 18 points in its previous two losses to fifth-ranked Waukee and No. 11 Valley. "I got after … [Read more...] about Reserves shine as Hawkettes romp past Marshalltown to extend winning streak

‘It was just a matter of time’: Hawkettes stifle Ames for first conference victory

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Ashley Harrington knew that the Ankeny girls' basketball team was going to win its first conference game. She just didn't know when. Friday turned out to be the night as Harrington scored 16 points to lead the Hawkettes to a 60-49 victory at Ames. They improved to 1-7 in the CIML Central Conference and 7-10 overall, while Ames' records fell to 3-5 and … [Read more...] about ‘It was just a matter of time’: Hawkettes stifle Ames for first conference victory