Scott DeJong stood in the media interview room in the bowels of Wells Fargo Arena and beamed with pride even though the season had just ended for his Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team. "It's just been a tremendous run with these guys," DeJong said of his nine seniors. "They're my type of team. They play hard, they compete, and they work together. … [Read more...] about ‘Tremendous’ four-year run for Centennial seniors ends with loss to potent Dragons
Girls' Basketball
‘There’s no margin for error’: Jaguars fall to No. 1 Johnston in Class 5A semifinals
The fourth-ranked Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team ended its season on Thursday with a 61-42 loss to No. 1 Johnston in the semifinals of the Class 5A state tournament at Wells Fargo Arena. Mya Crawford and Ava Martin each had 13 points for the Jaguars, who finished the season at 17-8. Jaeden Pratt added six points and seven rebounds. "I was … [Read more...] about ‘There’s no margin for error’: Jaguars fall to No. 1 Johnston in Class 5A semifinals
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 297
In the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by Legacy Realty of Iowa and Revive Dermatology Clinic and Spa, publisher Dan Holm breaks down the girls' Class 5A state basketball tournament with coach Scott DeJong and senior forward Jaeden Pratt of Ankeny Centennial. … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 297
Central Bank Athlete of the Month: Ava Martin, Ankeny Centennial senior
The guard makes her first six shots from 3-point range and ties a career-high with 20 points to lead the Jaguars to a 51-47 win over Pleasant Valley in a Class 5A quarterfinal. … [Read more...] about Central Bank Athlete of the Month: Ava Martin, Ankeny Centennial senior
‘Ava was awesome!’: Hot-shooting Martin leads Centennial girls past No. 5 Spartans
Ava Martin has been a prolific scorer on the pitch for the Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer team. The Missouri Western soccer recruit showed on Monday that she can find the net on the basketball court, too. The senior guard made her first six shots from 3-point range and tied her career-high with 20 points to lead fourth-ranked Centennial to a 51-47 … [Read more...] about ‘Ava was awesome!’: Hot-shooting Martin leads Centennial girls past No. 5 Spartans
Jaguars hold off Pleasant Valley, will play No. 1 Johnston in Thursday’s semifinals
Ava Martin tied her career-high with 20 points and the fourth-ranked Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team posted a 51-47 victory over No. 5 Pleasant Valley in a Class 5A quarterfinal on Monday at Wells Fargo Arena. Mya Crawford and Jaeden Pratt each scored 10 points and dished out five assists for the Jaguars (17-7), who built a 20-point lead late in … [Read more...] about Jaguars hold off Pleasant Valley, will play No. 1 Johnston in Thursday’s semifinals
‘That’s really been the story of our season’: Ankeny’s late rally falls short at No. 3 NW
The Ankeny girls' basketball team is still looking to get over the hump. The 14th-ranked Hawkettes ended their season on Tuesday with a 43-37 loss at No. 3 Waukee Northwest, which closed out the game with a 9-3 run. Ankeny lost in a Class 5A regional final for the fifth straight year. The last four losses have come by a total of 15 points. "We just … [Read more...] about ‘That’s really been the story of our season’: Ankeny’s late rally falls short at No. 3 NW
Hawkettes earn another shot at Waukee Northwest by rolling past Sioux City East
(Story by Stephen McDaniel) As soon as the light turned green, the Ankeny girls' basketball team slammed its foot down on the gas and the Hawkettes never bothered to look back. Ankeny turned in one of its best games of the season to open up postseason play as the 14th-ranked Hawkettes posted a 66-14 victory over visiting Sioux City East in a Class 5A … [Read more...] about Hawkettes earn another shot at Waukee Northwest by rolling past Sioux City East
No. 4 Jaguars, No. 14 Hawkettes advance to regional finals with lopsided victories
The Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball teams opened postseason play on Saturday night with lopsided victories. The fourth-ranked Jaguars rolled to a 68-17 triumph over visiting Marshalltown, while the No. 14 Hawkettes cruised to a 66-14 win over visiting Sioux City East in another Class 5A regional semifinal. We'll have stories on both games … [Read more...] about No. 4 Jaguars, No. 14 Hawkettes advance to regional finals with lopsided victories
Crawford, Pratt, Gage, Williams, Quick earn all-district girls’ basketball honors
Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball stars Mya Crawford and Jaeden Pratt have been named to the Class 5A West all-district team along with Ankeny standouts Savannah Gage and Jayla Williams. The teams were selected by the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association, which also named Ankeny Christian Academy standout Katie Quick to the South all-district team in Class … [Read more...] about Crawford, Pratt, Gage, Williams, Quick earn all-district girls’ basketball honors
CIML Conference basketball standings
The Ankeny boys' basketball team could play the role of a spoiler in the race for the CIML Conference championship. After playing at Urbandale on Tuesday, the Hawks will close out the regular season on Thursday with a game at fourth-ranked Waukee Northwest. The Wolves are still mathematically alive to earn a share of the league crown. No. 2 Valley, the … [Read more...] about CIML Conference basketball standings
‘Dowling makes it really hard’: Maroons pull away from Ankeny girls in 4th quarter
(Story by Stephen McDaniel) When the buzzer sounded at the end of the third quarter, the Ankeny girls' basketball team was still within striking distance of second-ranked Dowling Catholic. But sometimes when it rains, it pours. The Maroons proceeded to go on a 17-2 in the fourth quarter to turn Ankeny’s eight-point deficit into a 50-27 home loss to … [Read more...] about ‘Dowling makes it really hard’: Maroons pull away from Ankeny girls in 4th quarter
CIML Conference basketball standings
The CIML Conference boys' basketball race isn't over just yet. Two-time defending Class 4A state champion Valley appeared to be on the verge of the outright championship after the second-ranked Tigers clinched at least a share of the title with a 73-61 victory at No. 8 Waukee on Friday. But the Tigers' nine-game winning streak came to an end on Tuesday … [Read more...] about CIML Conference basketball standings
Jaguars could face S.E. Polk in regional final; Hawkettes could meet Waukee NW
Both Ankeny Centennial and Ankeny may have to beat one of their CIML Conference rivals in order to qualify for this year's girls' state basketball tournament. The Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union announced the Class 5A regional pairings on Wednesday. Fourth-ranked Centennial (13-7) is the top seed in Region 4, while 14th-ranked Ankeny (9-12) is the … [Read more...] about Jaguars could face S.E. Polk in regional final; Hawkettes could meet Waukee NW
Hot-shooting Hawkettes celebrate their Senior Night with rout over Urbandale
For the second time this season, the Ankeny girls' basketball team used a fast start to ignite a rout over Urbandale. The 15th-ranked Hawkettes raced out to a 23-5 lead at the end of the first quarter and went on to post a 79-36 victory Friday on their Senior Night. The win snapped … [Read more...] about Hot-shooting Hawkettes celebrate their Senior Night with rout over Urbandale
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Kyla Schaapveld, Ankeny girls’ basketball
Junior guard Kyla Schaapveld scored eight points and dished out five assists to help the 15th-ranked Ankeny girls' basketball team to a 79-36 victory over visiting Urbandale on Friday. She went 2-of-4 from 3-point range as part of her squad's 13-of-25 shooting from behind the arc. Schaapveld has played in all 20 games with 16 … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Kyla Schaapveld, Ankeny girls’ basketball
CIML Conference basketball standings
The second-ranked Valley boys' basketball team clinched at least a share of the CIML Conference title with a 73-61 victory at No. 8 Waukee on Friday. The Tigers are now 13-1 in the league with just two games left. Waukee fell into a second-place tie with No. 5 Waukee Northwest at 11-3. Trevin Jirak and Zay Robinson … [Read more...] about CIML Conference basketball standings
Williams, Hawkettes battle No. 3 Waukee NW to the wire, but upset bid falls short
In its previous six games against the top four teams in the CIML Conference and Class 5A, the Ankeny girls' basketball squad had lost by an average of 21.7 points. On Monday night, the 15th-ranked Hawkettes nearly knocked off one of the league's heavyweights. Ankeny led for much of the second half before No. 3 Waukee … [Read more...] about Williams, Hawkettes battle No. 3 Waukee NW to the wire, but upset bid falls short
CIML Conference basketball standings
The CIML Conference basketball champions could be crowned this week. The top-ranked Johnston girls' squad clinched at least a share of the title with a 69-33 win over Valley on Friday. The Dragons will host No. 4 Ankeny Centennial on Tuesday and can secure the outright championship with a victory. On the boys' … [Read more...] about CIML Conference basketball standings
Hawkettes contain Zediker, but Dowling finds other ways to score in 60-40 victory
Dowling Catholic star Ava Zediker was held scoreless for nearly 11 minutes in Friday's girls' basketball game against visiting Ankeny. The Creighton recruit went on to score just six points on 2-of-9 shooting--nearly 13 below her average. "That was part of our plan to try to take away Ava," said Ankeny coach Nate Tobey. "It's easier … [Read more...] about Hawkettes contain Zediker, but Dowling finds other ways to score in 60-40 victory



















