Ankeny Fanatic

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Girls' Basketball

The Karsen Jacks Show: Senior scores career-high 30 points in Ankeny’s OT win

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

‘I’m choosing family over my career’: McAnelly resigns after 7 seasons

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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

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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

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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

Unanimous pick Gage earns all-league first-team honors along with Clark, Pratt

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Ankeny sophomore guard Savannah Gage has been named to the CIML Conference girls' basketball first team along with a pair of Ankeny Centennial players--senior guard Makenna Clark and sophomore forward Jaeden Pratt. Gage, who led the Hawkettes to a 12-11 record this season, was one of five unanimous picks to the squad. She averaged 16.6 points per game, … [Read more...] about Unanimous pick Gage earns all-league first-team honors along with Clark, Pratt

Ankeny’s Gage, Pitz earn all-district honors along with Centennial duo

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Ankeny girls' basketball standouts Savannah Gage and Jenna Pitz have been named to the Class 5A West all-district team for the second straight year. The duo was joined on the squad by a pair of Ankeny Centennial players, Makenna Clark and Jaeden Pratt. The all-district teams were selected by the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association. Gage, a sophomore guard, … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Gage, Pitz earn all-district honors along with Centennial duo

Hawkettes’ valiant effort falls short in regional final at No. 5 Davenport North

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Ankeny's dream of qualifying for the girls' state basketball tournament will have to wait at least another year. The 12th-ranked Hawkettes led for much of the game before falling at No. 5 Davenport North, 65-61, in a Class 5A regional final on Tuesday. The Wildcats (21-2) advanced to next week's state tournament at Wells Fargo Arena, while Ankeny finished … [Read more...] about Hawkettes’ valiant effort falls short in regional final at No. 5 Davenport North

‘We found a way to win’: Ankeny girls advance with late rally against Wolves

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Saturday's game against visiting Waukee Northwest put a lot of stress on Ankeny girls' basketball coach Dru McAnelly. "I think I lost a year of my life because of that game," McAnelly said. In the end, though, the 12th-ranked Hawkettes held off Northwest for a 56-54 victory in a Class 5A regional semifinal. They defeated the Wolves for the third time … [Read more...] about ‘We found a way to win’: Ankeny girls advance with late rally against Wolves

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Savannah Gage, Ankeny girls’ basketball

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Sophomore guard Savannah Gage scored 22 points to lead the 12th-ranked Ankeny girls' basketball team to a 56-54 victory over visiting Waukee Northwest in a Class 5A regional semifinal on Saturday. She had 17 of her points in the first half. Gage has helped the Hawkettes to a 12-10 record. She is averaging 16.3 points per game and leads the team with 29 … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Savannah Gage, Ankeny girls’ basketball

‘She was lights out tonight’: Jaeger pours in 30 as Valley girls roll past Hawkettes

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There wasn't much that Ankeny girls' basketball coach Dru McAnelly could say to his team following the Hawkettes' 67-36 loss to visiting Valley in their regular-season finale on Friday. "Not that we ever want to have this feeling again, but we'd much rather have it tonight than eight days from now," said McAnelly. "If this happens eight days from now, our … [Read more...] about ‘She was lights out tonight’: Jaeger pours in 30 as Valley girls roll past Hawkettes

Regional pairings announced: Jaguars, Hawkettes to host semifinals on Feb. 18

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The Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team won't have to leave its own gym in order to qualify for the Class 5A state tournament. For crosstown rival Ankeny, though, the road to Wells Fargo Arena will likely go through Davenport. The regional pairings were announced on Wednesday by the Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union. Sixth-ranked Centennial … [Read more...] about Regional pairings announced: Jaguars, Hawkettes to host semifinals on Feb. 18

‘It was a great night for the seniors’: Lewis, Hawkettes roll past Urbandale

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Kendra Lewis and the other seniors on the Ankeny girls' basketball team wanted to make sure that their Senior Night was a joyous occasion. The 13th-ranked Hawkettes did just that with a 62-24 victory over visiting Urbandale on Tuesday. Lewis, a reserve guard, led the way with 14 points, making 3-of-9 3-pointers. Fellow senior Jenna Pitz scored 12 … [Read more...] about ‘It was a great night for the seniors’: Lewis, Hawkettes roll past Urbandale

‘Jenna put us on her back’: Pitz again leads Hawkettes past rival Centennial

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Ankeny senior Jenna Pitz struggled through one of the worst shooting nights of her basketball career on Dec. 20, going 1-for-13 from the field in the Hawkettes' 59-52 loss to Ankeny Centennial. She wasn't going to let it happen again. Pitz scored 16 of her 17 points in the second half to lead 13th-ranked Ankeny to a 48-43 victory at No. 6 Centennial on … [Read more...] about ‘Jenna put us on her back’: Pitz again leads Hawkettes past rival Centennial