There's an old saying, "Close only counts in horseshoes." For the Ankeny girls' basketball team, coming close to earning a victory is becoming a frustrating habit. The 10th-ranked Hawkettes were looking to start off 2023 with a big win on Tuesday, but their upset bid at No. 4 Valley fell just short. The Tigers made a late 3-point goal to post a 41-38 … [Read more...] about ‘It’s not the record we want’: Hawkettes drop to 5-5 with another close loss
Girls' Basketball
Motivated Jaguars dominate boards, roll past Ankeny to avenge last year’s loss
Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball coach Scott DeJong didn't have to remind his players what happened the last time the Jaguars played at crosstown rival Ankeny. Last February, the Hawkettes posted a 49-45 victory to defeat Centennial for the first time ever. "That was definitely some extra motivation," Centennial senior Averi Porter said after the … [Read more...] about Motivated Jaguars dominate boards, roll past Ankeny to avenge last year’s loss
Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for the Jag-Hawk basketball showdowns
The Jag-Hawk basketball rivalry will resume on Tuesday night at Ankeny, where all four teams will be looking to build some momentum heading into the holiday break. While the girls' all-time series has been dominated by Centennial, the boys' series has been a back-and-forth affair that is now tied at nine wins apiece. Both the Hawks and Jaguars have won as … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for the Jag-Hawk basketball showdowns
Dowling girls edge Hawkettes on Muller’s 3-point play with 2 seconds left
Any scouting report on the Dowling Catholic girls' basketball team is going to start with the Maroons' best player, point guard Ava Zediker. But it was Dowling's supporting cast--and freshman post player Ellie Muller in particular--who proved to be the difference on Friday. Muller converted a 3-point play with 2 seconds left to give the 11th-ranked … [Read more...] about Dowling girls edge Hawkettes on Muller’s 3-point play with 2 seconds left
Hawkettes protect their home court with victory over No. 5 Waukee Northwest
Ankeny girls' basketball coach Dru McAnelly didn't have much time to prepare for Tuesday's opponent following Monday's win over Indianola. It turns out he had to scrap many of his plans anyway. Fifth-ranked Waukee Northwest visited No. 10 Ankeny for a CIML Conference game, and the Wolves were without leading scorer Sadie Maas. The junior forward, who … [Read more...] about Hawkettes protect their home court with victory over No. 5 Waukee Northwest
‘We were ready to play from the jump!’: Ankeny girls romp past Indianola
A year ago, the Ankeny girls' basketball team trailed by nine points at halftime and went on to suffer a 54-47 loss at Indianola. The Hawkettes were determined to get off to a better start in Monday's rematch. Tenth-ranked Ankeny jumped out to a 13-2 lead in the non-conference game and cruised to a 76-41 victory over visiting Indianola, the No. 10 … [Read more...] about ‘We were ready to play from the jump!’: Ankeny girls romp past Indianola
Hawkettes rout Ames, set school record for most points in five-player game
Coming off a pair of tough losses, the Ankeny girls' basketball team needed a little bit of a break. The Hawkettes' schedule provided one on Friday. Tenth-ranked Ankeny made 11-of-16 3-point shots and rolled to a 96-37 victory at Ames in a non-conference game. The Hawkettes set a school record for the most points in a five-player game, breaking the … [Read more...] about Hawkettes rout Ames, set school record for most points in five-player game
‘We got very stagnant’: Cold-shooting Ankeny girls tumble to No. 8 S.E. Polk
With the final seconds of the first half ticking off the clock on Tuesday night, Southeast Polk guard Alyssa Bartlett hurried the ball up the court during a CIML Conference girls' basketball game at Ankeny. Bartlett dribbled behind her back to avoid an Ankeny defender, then launched a 3-point shot from half-court that swished through the net as time … [Read more...] about ‘We got very stagnant’: Cold-shooting Ankeny girls tumble to No. 8 S.E. Polk
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Karsen Jacks, Ankeny girls’ basketball
Junior guard Karsen Jacks has helped the ninth-ranked Ankeny girls' basketball team to a 2-1 record. She made 4-of-5 3-point shots and scored 14 points in the Hawkettes' 68-59 loss to No. 2 Johnston on Friday at Ankeny. Jacks is averaging 9.7 points and 6.0 rebounds per game. She has committed just one turnover on the season. Jacks is the team's best … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Karsen Jacks, Ankeny girls’ basketball
Without injured Moser, Hawkettes’ valiant effort falls short against No. 2 Johnston
For more than a half, the Ankeny girls' basketball team had defending Class 5A state champion Johnston on the ropes on Friday night. The ninth-ranked Hawkettes jumped out to a 19-8 lead in the first quarter and held a 30-27 advantage at halftime before No. 2 Johnston took control and pulled away for a 68-59 victory in a CIML Conference game at Ankeny. The … [Read more...] about Without injured Moser, Hawkettes’ valiant effort falls short against No. 2 Johnston
Gage, Hawkettes hold off furious Waukee rally to win CIML Conference opener
When the Ankeny girls' basketball team went through a scoring drought on Tuesday, the Hawkettes relied on their defense to win their CIML Conference opener. Ninth-ranked Ankeny led by as many as 16 points in both halves before No. 14 Waukee staged a huge rally on its home court, closing to within two points late in the game before the Hawkettes held on … [Read more...] about Gage, Hawkettes hold off furious Waukee rally to win CIML Conference opener
Hawkettes place 4 players in double figures, romp past Cedar Falls in opener
The Ankeny girls' basketball team took a long bus ride to Cedar Falls for its season opener on Tuesday. At least the ride home was a joyous one. The ninth-ranked Hawkettes took control from the start and went on to post a 60-43 victory in the non-conference game. "We're still a young team, even though we return a lot of experience," said Ankeny … [Read more...] about Hawkettes place 4 players in double figures, romp past Cedar Falls in opener
‘We have high goals this year’: Hawkettes raise the bar after record-setting season
The bar has been raised for the Ankeny girls' basketball program. The Hawkettes enjoyed a record-setting season last year under coach Dru McAnelly, posting a 16-7 mark and earning a share of the CIML Iowa Conference title. They also reached a Class 5A regional final before dropping a 49-47 decision at second-ranked Des Moines Roosevelt. Now, the Ankeny … [Read more...] about ‘We have high goals this year’: Hawkettes raise the bar after record-setting season
Centennial is 3rd, Ankeny 9th in Class 5A girls’ basketball preseason rankings
Both Ankeny Centennial and Ankeny are ranked in the top 10 in the Class 5A girls' basketball preseason rankings by the Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union. The Jaguars, who open their season on Friday at Des Moines East, are ranked third. They return three starters from a team that went 20-4 and qualified for the Class 5A state tournament a year … [Read more...] about Centennial is 3rd, Ankeny 9th in Class 5A girls’ basketball preseason rankings
THE LOSS OF A LEGEND: Coaching giant Rasmussen passes away at 85
The community of Ankeny has lost one of its most prominent citizens. Dick Rasmussen, the legendary softball and girls' basketball coach at Ankeny High School, passed away early Friday morning at the age of 85. "I will miss him," said current Ankeny softball coach Dave Bingham. "I love him and (his wife) Sue." Rasmussen coached at South Hamilton … [Read more...] about THE LOSS OF A LEGEND: Coaching giant Rasmussen passes away at 85
Ticket to ‘Pelladise’: Ankeny’s Filling commits to play basketball at Central
Ankeny senior Jadyn Filling really likes Central College. So much, in fact, that she now has a nickname for the town where Central is located. She calls it Pelladise. "I love the size at Central the most," said Filling, who verbally committed on Tuesday to play for the Dutch women's basketball program. "I had my first visit in August and have been … [Read more...] about Ticket to ‘Pelladise’: Ankeny’s Filling commits to play basketball at Central
Murray, Pitz earn all-state honors from Iowa Girls’ Coaches Association
Chalk up another postseason honor for the duo of Cleao Murray and Jenna Pitz. The two girls' basketball standouts have both received all-state honors from the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association. Murray, a senior guard at Ankeny Centennial, was named to the Class 5A second team. Pitz, a junior guard at Ankeny, was a third-team pick. Both players were … [Read more...] about Murray, Pitz earn all-state honors from Iowa Girls’ Coaches Association
Murray, Pitz earn all-state honors from Iowa Print Sports Writers Association
Girls' basketball standouts Cleao Murray of Ankeny Centennial and Jenna Pitz of Ankeny have received all-state honors from the Iowa Print Sports Writers Association. Murray, a senior guard, was named to the Class 5A first team. Pitz, a junior guard, was a third-team selection. Murray led the Jaguars to a 20-4 record and a repeat appearance in the Class … [Read more...] about Murray, Pitz earn all-state honors from Iowa Print Sports Writers Association
Unanimous picks Murray, Pitz joined on all-conference first team by White, Jacks
Guards Cleao Murray of Ankeny Centennial and Jenna Pitz of Ankeny were both unanimous picks to the CIML Iowa Conference first team by a vote of the league's girls' basketball coaches. Murray and Pitz led their teams to a share of the conference title this season. Ankeny and Centennial tied for the crown with Waukee Northwest. Murray, a senior, helped … [Read more...] about Unanimous picks Murray, Pitz joined on all-conference first team by White, Jacks
Centennial’s Murray joins Ankeny’s Gage, Pitz on Class 5A West all-district team
Ankeny Centennial senior Cleao Murray has been named to the Class 5A West all-district girls' basketball team along with Ankeny standouts Savannah Gage and Jenna Pitz. The teams were selected by the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association. Murray, a 5-foot-8 guard, has helped the Jaguars to a 20-3 record and a berth in next week's Class 5A state tournament at … [Read more...] about Centennial’s Murray joins Ankeny’s Gage, Pitz on Class 5A West all-district team