The holiday break is coming at a good time for the Ankeny girls' basketball team. The 15th-ranked Hawkettes suffered their fifth straight loss on Thursday, dropping a 41-37 decision to visiting Cedar Falls. Junior guard Karis Finley, a Drake recruit, scored 16 points as the No. 10 Tigers (6-2) won their third consecutive game. "We just played five … [Read more...] about Cold-shooting Ankeny girls tumble to Cedar Falls for 5th consecutive loss
Girls' Basketball
After trailing by 18 points, Hawkettes’ furious rally falls just short at S.E. Polk
A dramatic rally by the Ankeny girls' basketball team came up just short on Tuesday at Southeast Polk. The sixth-ranked Hawkettes nearly overcame an 18-point deficit in the fourth quarter before No. 14 Southeast Polk held on for a 61-55 victory in a CIML Conference matchup. The Rams improved to 2-2 in the league and 3-3 overall, while Ankeny's records … [Read more...] about After trailing by 18 points, Hawkettes’ furious rally falls just short at S.E. Polk
Waukee girls use big 3rd quarter to hand No. 6 Hawkettes their 3rd straight loss
(Story by Stephen McDaniel) After starting off the season with a 4-0 record, a three-game losing streak wasn’t what the Ankeny girls' basketball team was hoping for heading into its final two contests of 2024. The sixth-ranked Hawkettes had a chance to get back into the win column in a top-10 matchup against No. 10 Waukee, but a cold stretch coming out … [Read more...] about Waukee girls use big 3rd quarter to hand No. 6 Hawkettes their 3rd straight loss
No. 1 Johnston girls extend their winning streak to 30 games with victory at Ankeny
(Story by Stephen McDaniel) The Ankeny girls' basketball team is getting some big tests in December, and none was bigger than Tuesday night's. The seventh-ranked Hawkettes were tasked with trying to snap the 29-game winning streak of reigning Class 5A state champion Johnston, but a large deficit in the first quarter ended those hopes as the No. 1 … [Read more...] about No. 1 Johnston girls extend their winning streak to 30 games with victory at Ankeny
‘I thought we showed some maturity’: Jaguars hand Ankeny girls their first loss
It wasn't difficult for Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball coach Scott DeJong to get the attention of his players following Tuesday's overtime loss to Waukee Northwest. The fifth-ranked Jaguars responded on Friday with a 44-33 victory at No. 7 Ankeny in a CIML Conference matchup. It was Centennial's third straight win in the series after dropping two of … [Read more...] about ‘I thought we showed some maturity’: Jaguars hand Ankeny girls their first loss
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 286
In the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by Coldwell Banker Mid-America and Revive Clinic and Spa, publisher Dan Holm breaks down the start of the girls' basketball season with coach Scott DeJong and senior Tillie Smith of Ankeny Centennial along with coach Nate Tobey, senior Savannah Gage and junior Jayla Williams of Ankeny. … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 286
‘I’m having a lot of fun’: Baldwin helps Hawkettes past Des Moines Christian
It's been a smooth transition onto the Ankeny girls' basketball team for former Valley player Reagan Baldwin. The junior forward scored nine points on Monday to help the eighth-ranked Hawkettes to a 50-36 victory in a non-conference game at Des Moines Christian. "I'm having a lot of fun playing with everyone," said Baldwin. Baldwin has averaged nine … [Read more...] about ‘I’m having a lot of fun’: Baldwin helps Hawkettes past Des Moines Christian
Kiene scores career-high 23 points, leads Hawkettes to rout in conference opener
Ainsley Kiene poured in a career-high 23 points to lead the eighth-ranked Ankeny girls' basketball team to a 67-25 victory at Urbandale in its CIML Conference opener on Tuesday. Kiene made four 3-point goals and needed only three quarters to surpass her previous career-high of 19, but she was far from the Hawkettes' only threat from behind the arc. Four … [Read more...] about Kiene scores career-high 23 points, leads Hawkettes to rout in conference opener
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Ainsley Kiene, Ankeny girls’ basketball
Junior guard Ainsley Kiene had six points, eight rebounds, six assists and three steals to help the Ankeny girls' basketball team to a 66-28 victory over visiting Ames in its season opener on Saturday. Kiene averaged 11.7 points and 3.4 rebounds per game as a sophomore as the Hawkettes posted a 13-10 record. She earned all-conference honorable mention … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Ainsley Kiene, Ankeny girls’ basketball
‘We made progress with our focus areas’: Deeper Hawkettes rout Ames in opener
Saturday's season opener against visiting Ames showed that the Ankeny girls' basketball team will have a deeper bench than it did a year ago. The eighth-ranked Hawkettes got solid contributions from many different players in a 66-28 victory in the non-conference game. "Overall, we made progress with our focus areas for the season," said Ankeny coach … [Read more...] about ‘We made progress with our focus areas’: Deeper Hawkettes rout Ames in opener
Jaguars are No. 3, Ankeny No. 8 in Class 5A preseason girls’ basketball rankings
Both Ankeny Centennial and Ankeny are in the top 10 of the preseason girls' basketball rankings from the Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union. Centennial is ranked third in Class 5A behind two of its CIML Conference rivals. No. 1 Johnston defeated No. 2 Dowling Catholic, 48-36, in last year's Class 5A championship game. The Jaguars posted a 14-9 … [Read more...] about Jaguars are No. 3, Ankeny No. 8 in Class 5A preseason girls’ basketball rankings
Ankeny girls return trio of double-digit scorers in Gage, Williams and Kiene
With the return of three double-digit scorers, the Ankeny girls' basketball team will likely boast one of the best offensive trios in the state. Senior guard Savannah Gage combined with junior guards Jayla Williams and Ainsley Kiene to average nearly 40 points per game last season. They helped the Hawkettes to a 13-10 record in their first season under … [Read more...] about Ankeny girls return trio of double-digit scorers in Gage, Williams and Kiene
Ankeny to celebrate 20th anniversary of volleyball, girls’ basketball state titles
The 2004-05 school year was a memorable one for Ankeny High School's athletic teams. The volleyball team won the first state title in school history. A few months later, the girls' basketball squad captured a record fourth consecutive five-player crown. It's hard to believe that was 20 years ago. In honor of those two achievements, Ankeny High … [Read more...] about Ankeny to celebrate 20th anniversary of volleyball, girls’ basketball state titles
More all-state girls’ basketball honors for Centennial duo, Ankeny’s Williams
The Ankeny Centennial duo of Mya Crawford and Jaeden Pratt has received all-state girls' basketball honors from the Iowa Print Sports Writers Association along with Ankeny standout Jayla Williams. Crawford, a junior guard, was named to the Class 5A first team. She also earned first-team honors from the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association. Crawford led the … [Read more...] about More all-state girls’ basketball honors for Centennial duo, Ankeny’s Williams
Ankeny’s Howard, Jacks, Johnson named to academic all-state girls’ hoops team
Ankeny seniors Hannah Howard, Karsen Jacks and Cassie Johnson have been named to the academic all-state girls' basketball team by the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association. The trio helped the Hawkettes to a 13-10 record this season. Jacks, a Simpson recruit, has also been selected to play in the IGCA Senior All-Star Classic. The event will be held on April … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Howard, Jacks, Johnson named to academic all-state girls’ hoops team
Crawford, Pratt, Williams named all-state by Iowa Girls’ Coaches Association
Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball standout Mya Crawford has been named to the Class 5A all-state first team by the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association, while teammate Jaeden Pratt and Jayla Williams of Ankeny were both selected to the second team. Crawford, a junior guard, led the Jaguars to a 14-9 record and a trip to the state tournament. She set a school … [Read more...] about Crawford, Pratt, Williams named all-state by Iowa Girls’ Coaches Association
‘I’m proud of these girls’: Hawkettes fall short against Valley in regional final
When Karsen Jacks made a tough shot in the lane with 3 minutes 4 seconds left in Tuesday's Class 5A regional final, the Ankeny girls' basketball team appeared to be on the verge of qualifying for the state tournament for the first time since the split into two high schools in 2013. Jacks' basket gave the eighth-ranked Hawkettes a 34-29 lead over visiting … [Read more...] about ‘I’m proud of these girls’: Hawkettes fall short against Valley in regional final
Hawkettes roll past C.R. Kennedy, will host Valley for trip to state tournament
For the fourth year in a row, the Ankeny girls' basketball team is just one win away from a trip to the state tournament. This time, the Hawkettes will get to host the regional final. Eighth-ranked Ankeny opened postseason play on Saturday with a 58-40 victory over visiting Cedar Rapids Kennedy in a Class 5A regional semifinal. The Cougars finished the … [Read more...] about Hawkettes roll past C.R. Kennedy, will host Valley for trip to state tournament
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 249
In the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by Coldwell Banker Mid-America, publisher Dan Holm breaks down all of the boys' and girls' basketball postseason brackets with frequent guest Andy Pollock. … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 249
CIML Conference basketball standings
The Ankeny boys' basketball team played the role of a spoiler in the CIML Conference race. The Hawks rallied for a 76-72 victory at third-ranked Valley on Friday, knocking the Tigers out of a tie for first place in the league. Then, on Saturday, No. 7 Waukee clinched the outright conference title by rolling to a 91-53 win over Southeast Polk. On the … [Read more...] about CIML Conference basketball standings