Ankeny Fanatic

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Girls' Basketball

Hawkettes rout Ames, set school record for most points in five-player game

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

HAWKETTE HEARTBREAK: Davison’s buzzer-beater ends Ankeny’s season

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Dru McAnelly is going to remember the journey more than the end result. The Ankeny girls' basketball coach tried to keep his emotions in check after his team closed out an historic season with a heartbreaking loss on Wednesday. "I told (the players) after the game that this is the group that got this program over the hump," said McAnelly. "We've … [Read more...] about HAWKETTE HEARTBREAK: Davison’s buzzer-beater ends Ankeny’s season

Jaguars earn another trip to state; Ankeny falls to Roughriders on buzzer-beater

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The Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team is headed to Wells Fargo Arena for the second straight year. The Jaguars were nearly joined by crosstown rival Ankeny. Third-ranked Centennial held off No. 13 Sioux City East, 46-41, in a Class 5A regional final on Wednesday at Centennial. The Jaguars (20-3) advanced to the state tournament for the fourth … [Read more...] about Jaguars earn another trip to state; Ankeny falls to Roughriders on buzzer-beater

SURVIVE AND ADVANCE: Hawkettes nip Waukee, will play Riders for state berth

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It's been a magical season for the Ankeny girls' basketball team. The Hawkettes didn't want it to end on Saturday night. Tenth-ranked Ankeny scored the last five points of the game to beat visiting Waukee, 44-40, in a Class 5A regional semifinal. The Hawkettes avenged a 53-45 loss at Waukee on Jan. 18. "We definitely had a lot of motivation coming … [Read more...] about SURVIVE AND ADVANCE: Hawkettes nip Waukee, will play Riders for state berth

AN HISTORIC WIN: Hawkettes rally past Centennial, defeat rival for first time

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It took nearly a decade for the Ankeny girls' basketball team to finally defeat its crosstown rival. When it finally happened on Friday night, the 12th-ranked Hawkettes also captured a share of the CIML Iowa Conference title. The Ankeny players doused coach Dru McAnelly with Gatorade in the locker room after the host Hawkettes rallied past No. 2 Ankeny … [Read more...] about AN HISTORIC WIN: Hawkettes rally past Centennial, defeat rival for first time