Ankeny Fanatic

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Girls' Basketball

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

Surging Urbandale girls avenge earlier loss to continue Hawkettes’ slide

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When the Ankeny girls' basketball team hosted Urbandale on Thursday, it was a matchup between two teams whose fortunes have been reversed since the last time they met on Dec. 14. Ankeny posted a 46-40 triumph at Urbandale last month, but suffered a huge blow in that game when sophomore forward Abby Johnson suffered a deep bone bruise in her foot with … [Read more...] about Surging Urbandale girls avenge earlier loss to continue Hawkettes’ slide

McAnelly: Hawkettes ‘learn valuable lesson’ in 71-43 loss to No. 4 Valley

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The Ankeny girls' basketball team ran into a buzzsaw on Tuesday at Valley. The fourth-ranked Tigers raced out to a 31-7 lead in the first half and cruised to a 71-43 victory over No. 15 Ankeny. The Hawkettes lost for the seventh time in their last nine games, dropping to 6-8 on the season. "It was kind of Southeast Polk all over again," said Ankeny … [Read more...] about McAnelly: Hawkettes ‘learn valuable lesson’ in 71-43 loss to No. 4 Valley

Revive Clinic and Spa Preps of the Week: Hoop stars Cody and Sara McCullough

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Cousins Sara and Cody McCullough have grown up on the opposite sides of Ankeny's crosstown rivalry. Sara, a senior forward, is the leading scorer and rebounder for the Ankeny girls' basketball team, which dropped a 47-32 decision at Ankeny Centennial on Friday. The Northern Iowa recruit has averaged 13.8 points and 8.4 rebounds per game while helping the … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Preps of the Week: Hoop stars Cody and Sara McCullough

Harrington, Kueker ignite Hawkettes past Ottumwa at Wells Fargo Arena

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Ankeny's Ashley Harrington and Jaelynn Kueker are used to fighting for 50/50 balls on the soccer field. The duo can also make those winning plays on the basketball court. Harrington and Kueker came up with several loose balls and combined for 22 points Tuesday to help the Ankeny girls' basketball team to a 53-36 victory over Ottumwa at Wells Fargo … [Read more...] about Harrington, Kueker ignite Hawkettes past Ottumwa at Wells Fargo Arena

Clark scores 33, leads Dowling girls to win over Hawkettes

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Another strong effort by the Ankeny girls' basketball team came up short on Friday as the Hawkettes dropped a 57-48 decision at ninth-ranked Dowling Catholic. It was Ankeny's third consecutive loss, all of them on the road, since sophomore forward Abby Johnson suffered a deep bone bruise in her foot during the Hawkettes' victory at Urbandale on Dec. 14. … [Read more...] about Clark scores 33, leads Dowling girls to win over Hawkettes

Deep bone bruise will sideline Ankeny’s Johnson for another month

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The Ankeny girls' basketball team will likely be without its second-leading scorer and rebounder for another month. An MRI on Thursday revealed that sophomore forward Abby Johnson suffered a deep bone bruise in her foot during the Hawkettes' 46-40 victory at Urbandale on Dec. 14. "She'll be in a walking boot for two weeks and will then have at least … [Read more...] about Deep bone bruise will sideline Ankeny’s Johnson for another month

Hawkettes lead most of the way before falling at No. 2 Johnston

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The Ankeny girls' basketball team nearly pulled off a monumental upset on Friday. Instead, the Hawkettes had to settle for a moral victory. "I couldn't be more proud of a group of girls," Ankeny coach Dru McAnelly said after his team led most of the way before dropping a 66-64 decision at second-ranked Johnston. "Coming in to play the No. 2 team in the … [Read more...] about Hawkettes lead most of the way before falling at No. 2 Johnston

Short-handed Hawkettes fall to Ames without Johnson, McCullough

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The odds were against the Ankeny girls' basketball team before Tuesday's game at 14th-ranked Ames even tipped off. The Hawkettes took the court without their top two scorers and rebounders, Sara McCullough and Abby Johnson. McCullough was out with an illness, while Johnson tore some tendons on the top of her foot during Friday's game at Urbandale and will … [Read more...] about Short-handed Hawkettes fall to Ames without Johnson, McCullough