It didn't take long for Savannah Gage to shake off the rust. The junior guard scored a season-high 27 points on Tuesday to lead the eighth-ranked Ankeny girls' basketball team to a 79-61 victory at No. 12 Waukee Northwest. It was Gage's fourth game back after recovering from a torn ACL. She had averaged 10 points in her first three games. "It's … [Read more...] about Gage shakes off rust, scores season-high 27 in Ankeny girls’ victory over Wolves
Girls' Basketball
Hawkettes make 13 3-pointers, force 28 turnovers in 81-35 victory at Indianola
The shots were falling on Monday for the Ankeny girls' basketball team. The eighth-ranked Hawkettes made 13 3-point goals and rolled to an 81-35 victory at Indianola in a non-conference game. They improved to 5-2 on the season, while the Indians' record dropped to 2-4. "It was good to see the girls shoot the ball well," said Ankeny coach Nate Tobey. … [Read more...] about Hawkettes make 13 3-pointers, force 28 turnovers in 81-35 victory at Indianola
CIML Conference basketball standings
The Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team moved into a third-place tie with Ankeny in the CIML Conference by posting a 53-45 victory over visiting Valley on Friday, handing the Tigers their first loss and knocking the defending Class 4A state champions out of a first-place tie with Waukee in the process. On the girls' side, top-ranked Johnston and No. 2 … [Read more...] about CIML Conference basketball standings
JACKS OF ALL TRADES: Senior nearly records triple-double in Hawkettes’ win
Karsen Jacks flirted with a triple-double while leading the Ankeny girls' basketball team to a 50-17 victory over visiting Ames in a non-conference game on Friday. Jacks scored 12 points, grabbed nine rebounds and had seven of her team's 22 steals as the eighth-ranked Hawkettes overcame a subpar shooting night with a strong defensive effort. The 17 points … [Read more...] about JACKS OF ALL TRADES: Senior nearly records triple-double in Hawkettes’ win
Gage returns to lineup, helps Williams, Hawkettes to historic win at S.E. Polk
Perhaps nobody was more excited to have Savannah Gage back on the court than her Ankeny girls' basketball teammate Jayla Williams. Williams poured in a career-high 32 points, Gage chipped in 10 in her first start of the season, and the eighth-ranked Hawkettes posted a 62-56 victory at No. 11 Southeast Polk on Tuesday for their first win over the Rams … [Read more...] about Gage returns to lineup, helps Williams, Hawkettes to historic win at S.E. Polk
Doubleday Insurance Coach of the Month: Nate Tobey, Ankeny girls’ basketball
The first-year coach guides the Hawkettes to a 62-56 victory at Southeast Polk, snapping an 18-game losing streak in the series. … [Read more...] about Doubleday Insurance Coach of the Month: Nate Tobey, Ankeny girls’ basketball
CIML Conference basketball standings
With eight of the top 12 girls' basketball teams in Class 5A from the CIML Conference, the race for the league crown this season could be a dogfight, although No. 1 Johnston is the clear favorite. The Dragons are already off to an impressive start, having won their first three games by an average of 26 points. They are joined at the top of the conference … [Read more...] about CIML Conference basketball standings
No. 1 Johnston girls build 25-point halftime lead in victory over Hawkettes
The gap between top-ranked Johnston and the rest of the girls' basketball teams in Class 5A appears to be pretty sizable. The host Dragons raced out to a 42-17 halftime lead and rolled to a 70-49 victory over No. 8 Ankeny in a CIML Conference game on Friday. They improved to 2-0 in the league and 3-0 overall, while the Hawkettes' records dropped to 0-2 … [Read more...] about No. 1 Johnston girls build 25-point halftime lead in victory over Hawkettes
‘It’s a testament to our girls’: Hawkettes’ furious rally falls short at No. 8 Waukee
A furious rally by the Ankeny girls' basketball team came up short in its CIML Conference opener on Tuesday at Waukee. The 13th-ranked Hawkettes nearly overcame an 18-point deficit in the second half before No. 8 Waukee held on for a 62-57 victory. "I just wanted our girls to have a shot at the end, and I felt like they did," said Ankeny coach Nate … [Read more...] about ‘It’s a testament to our girls’: Hawkettes’ furious rally falls short at No. 8 Waukee
Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Jayla Williams, Ankeny girls’ basketball
Sophomore guard Jayla Williams has helped the 13th-ranked Ankeny girls' basketball team to a 2-0 start. Williams scored 16 points and grabbed six rebounds in the Hawkettes' 60-55 overtime victory against No. 6 Cedar Falls on Tuesday at Ankeny. She is averaging 22.0 points, 6.5 rebounds and 3.0 steals per game. Here is some inside info on … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Jayla Williams, Ankeny girls’ basketball
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 241
In the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by Coldwell Banker Mid-America, publisher Dan Holm breaks down the Ankeny girls' basketball team's impressive 2-0 start with first-year head coach Nate Tobey and senior guard Karsen Jacks, who poured in a career-high 30 points in the Hawkettes' overtime win against sixth-ranked Cedar Falls. … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 241
The Karsen Jacks Show: Senior scores career-high 30 points in Ankeny’s OT win
The girls' basketball matchup between 13th-ranked Ankeny and No. 6 Cedar Falls was expected to feature three of the state's top 50 players, according to The Des Moines Register. Instead, Tuesday's game turned into The Karsen Jacks Show. The senior guard scored 23 of her career-high 30 points after halftime and the host Hawkettes rallied from a 13-point … [Read more...] about The Karsen Jacks Show: Senior scores career-high 30 points in Ankeny’s OT win
Hawkettes roll past Spencer in opener, will host No. 6 Cedar Falls on Tuesday
A long road trip to Spencer resulted in a season-opening victory for the Ankeny girls' basketball team. The 13th-ranked Hawkettes forced 27 turnovers and rolled to a 73-22 win in a non-conference game on Saturday afternoon. "It was just a great opportunity for us to compete and spend some time together. It worked out well," said first-year Ankeny coach … [Read more...] about Hawkettes roll past Spencer in opener, will host No. 6 Cedar Falls on Tuesday
‘They believe in themselves’: Hawkettes look to improve under new coach Tobey
New Ankeny girls' basketball coach Nate Tobey won't have to wait much longer to unveil his squad. The Hawkettes will open their season on Saturday with a non-conference game at Spencer. Tip-off is at 3:30 p.m. "The practices are going very well," said Tobey, who was previously an assistant for the boys' team. "We had an active offseason, and that has … [Read more...] about ‘They believe in themselves’: Hawkettes look to improve under new coach Tobey
‘The school is amazing’: Ankeny’s Gage commits to play hoops at St. Thomas
Ankeny girls' basketball standout Savannah Gage has had more time to consider her college options while she recovers from an ACL Injury. On Saturday, the junior-to-be announced her verbal commitment to the University of St. Thomas in the Twin Cities. "I had several different opportunities to play at the Division I level, and I am grateful for each and … [Read more...] about ‘The school is amazing’: Ankeny’s Gage commits to play hoops at St. Thomas
Ankeny boys’ hoops assistant Tobey named head girls’ basketball coach
The new head coach of the Ankeny girls' basketball team is very familiar with the Hawkettes' program. Nate Tobey has been hired to replace Dru McAnelly. He spent the last seven seasons as an assistant for the Ankeny boys' team. "I don't see any reason why we can't compete at the highest level in the CIML," said Tobey. "I'm just looking forward to … [Read more...] about Ankeny boys’ hoops assistant Tobey named head girls’ basketball coach
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 219
In the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by Coldwell Banker Mid-America, publisher Dan Holm interviews Dru McAnelly about his decision to resign as the Ankeny girls' basketball coach and discusses the boys' track season with first-year Ankeny coach Jordan Mullen. Coldwell Banker realtor Andy Logan also makes an appearance. … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 219
‘I’m choosing family over my career’: McAnelly resigns after 7 seasons
Ankeny girls' basketball coach Dru McAnelly has resigned from his position after seven seasons at the school. McAnelly said it was simply time to put his family first. "It was a hard decision, but it's one that three years ago my wife and I talked about it," McAnelly said. "Our kids were going to reach eighth grade and play school ball, and we knew … [Read more...] about ‘I’m choosing family over my career’: McAnelly resigns after 7 seasons
Pitz earns repeat all-state honors from IGCA; Gage, Pratt also recognized
Ankeny basketball standout Jenna Pitz has received all-state honors from the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association for the second straight year. Pitz, a senior guard, was a repeat selection to the Class 5A third team. She was joined on that squad by sophomore forward Jaeden Pratt of Ankeny Centennial. Pitz's teammate, Savannah Gage, was named to the Class 5A … [Read more...] about Pitz earns repeat all-state honors from IGCA; Gage, Pratt also recognized
YOUTH MOVEMENT: Gage, Pratt among 6 sophs to earn Class 5A all-state honors
The future looks very bright for Class 5A girls' basketball in the state of Iowa. Six sophomores and a pair of freshmen were among the players named to the Class 5A all-state teams by the Iowa Print Sports Writers Association, who selected the squads during a meeting on Saturday in conjunction with a panel of coaches. Ankeny star Savannah Gage and … [Read more...] about YOUTH MOVEMENT: Gage, Pratt among 6 sophs to earn Class 5A all-state honors