It's been a season of milestones thus far for the Ankeny girls' basketball team. On Dec. 7, the Hawkettes defeated then-No. 6 Valley to knock off their highest-ranked opponent under coach Dru McAnelly. Then, on Friday, Ankeny rolled to an 87-29 victory over Marshalltown. The 58-point margin matched the team's largest ever under McAnelly. Following a … [Read more...] about Hawkettes romp past Lincoln for most lopsided victory ever under McAnelly
Girls' Basketball
‘It was too big of a difference’: Slow start dooms Hawkettes in loss at Indianola
The Ankeny girls' basketball team was coming off one of the best shooting displays in school history. The Hawkettes were unable to duplicate that performance on Monday. Ankeny shot just 34.6 percent from the field (18-of-52) and suffered a 54-47 loss at Indianola, the No. 5 team in Class 4A. The non-conference defeat snapped a four-game winning streak … [Read more...] about ‘It was too big of a difference’: Slow start dooms Hawkettes in loss at Indianola
Hawkettes scorch the nets, make 13 treys in blowout victory over Marshalltown
There were a lot of open shots for the Ankeny girls' basketball team during Friday's game against visiting Marshalltown. The Hawkettes didn't miss many of them. Ankeny jumped out to a 34-7 lead in the first quarter, extended the advantage to 66-16 at halftime and cruised to an 87-29 victory over the Bobcats. It was the fourth straight win for the … [Read more...] about Hawkettes scorch the nets, make 13 treys in blowout victory over Marshalltown
A STATEMENT WIN: Hawkettes knock off top-10 foe for first time under McAnelly
A year ago, the Ankeny girls' basketball team posted the first winning season since the split into two high schools. On Tuesday, the Hawkettes' program took another huge step forward. Ankeny closed out the game with a 13-5 run to post a 51-43 victory over visiting Valley, the No. 6 team in Class 5A. It was the Hawkettes' first win over a top-10 … [Read more...] about A STATEMENT WIN: Hawkettes knock off top-10 foe for first time under McAnelly
Revive Clinic and Spa Coach of the Month: Dru McAnelly, Ankeny girls’ basketball
The Hawkettes knock off a top-10 opponent for the first time ever under McAnelly, posting a 51-43 victory over No. 6 Valley. … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Coach of the Month: Dru McAnelly, Ankeny girls’ basketball
Hawkettes pick up the pace, force 33 turnovers in lopsided win at Ames
The Ames girls' basketball team lost its first three games by an average margin of 65 points. A matchup against visiting Ankeny on Friday wasn't the breather that the Little Cyclones needed. The Hawkettes had 25 steals while forcing 33 turnovers and rolled to a 65-12 victory in their CIML Iowa Conference opener. They used a full-court press to turn the … [Read more...] about Hawkettes pick up the pace, force 33 turnovers in lopsided win at Ames
FILLING IT UP: Senior’s 3-pointer sparks late run, lifts Hawkettes past North
Jadyn Filling didn't hesitate when she had an open look at the basket. The senior guard drained a huge 3-point goal with 3 minutes 32 seconds left, sparking a late 11-2 run that lifted the Ankeny girls' basketball team to a 44-40 victory over visiting Des Moines North on Monday. "I was struggling with confidence coming into this game, but I really feel … [Read more...] about FILLING IT UP: Senior’s 3-pointer sparks late run, lifts Hawkettes past North
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Jenna Pitz, Ankeny girls’ basketball
Junior guard Jenna Pitz is one of two returning starters for the Ankeny girls' basketball team. She was named to the CIML Iowa Conference first team as a sophomore, when she averaged 9.9 points and 3.1 rebounds per game. Pitz scored 12 points and had two steals in Ankeny's 59-45 loss to fifth-ranked Southeast Polk in its season opener on Tuesday. The … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Jenna Pitz, Ankeny girls’ basketball
Valiant effort falls short as S.E. Polk’s late run foils upset bid by Hawkettes
A few days ago, Ankeny girls' basketball coach Dru McAnelly said he thought he could have a pretty good basketball team by mid-January. If Tuesday's season opener against fifth-ranked Southeast Polk was any indication, it's not going to take that long. Ankeny battled the visiting Rams on even terms for much of the game before Southeast Polk pulled away … [Read more...] about Valiant effort falls short as S.E. Polk’s late run foils upset bid by Hawkettes
Hawkettes could experience growing pains, but McAnelly sees some potential
It might take awhile for the Ankeny girls' basketball team to reach its potential. The Hawkettes return only two starters from a squad that posted a 10-7 record last year for the program's first winning season since the split into two high schools. "We are extremely young with only two seniors, and both of them have not played very many varsity minutes … [Read more...] about Hawkettes could experience growing pains, but McAnelly sees some potential
Changes coming in boys’ and girls’ basketball, bowling, and track and field
Three recommendations from the joint committees of the Iowa High School Athletic Association and Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union have been recently approved by both boards for boys' and girls' competition in basketball, bowling, and track and field. The IGHSAU Board of Directors unanimously voted the measures through at their July meeting that will … [Read more...] about Changes coming in boys’ and girls’ basketball, bowling, and track and field
Blimpie Sub of the Week: Erin McKenna, Ankeny girls’ basketball
Senior Erin McKenna helped the Ankeny girls' basketball team to a 10-7 record this season. McKenna played in nine of the 17 games, scoring a total of 16 points. She went 7-of-14 from the field. McKenna also contributed four rebounds, two assists and three steals. "Erin was the ultimate team player!" said Ankeny coach Dru McAnelly. "She was willing … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Erin McKenna, Ankeny girls’ basketball
Johnson, Maschoff, Phipps to compete in Senior All-Star Classic
Three girls' basketball players from Ankeny have been selected by the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association to play in the Senior All-Star Classic on April 10-11 in Cedar Rapids. Abby Johnson and Ellie Maschoff of Ankeny will both play in the event. Maggie Phipps of Ankeny Centennial will also participate. Johnson and Phipps will both be members of the Class … [Read more...] about Johnson, Maschoff, Phipps to compete in Senior All-Star Classic
Phipps, Johnson earn all-state honors from Iowa Girls’ Coaches Association
Maggie Phipps of Ankeny Centennial and Abby Johnson of Ankeny were among 12 girls' basketball players from the Central Iowa Metropolitan League to earn all-state honors from the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association. A total of 24 players was honored in Class 5A. Phipps, a senior guard, was named to the Class 5A first team. Johnson, a senior forward, was a … [Read more...] about Phipps, Johnson earn all-state honors from Iowa Girls’ Coaches Association
Phipps joins Ankeny’s Johnson, Pitz on CIML Iowa Conference first team
Maggie Phipps led the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team to the semifinals of the Class 5A state tournament in her only season as a Jaguar. Abby Johnson and Jenna Pitz led Ankeny to its first winning record since the split into two high schools. All three players have been named to the CIML Iowa Conference first team by a vote of the league's … [Read more...] about Phipps joins Ankeny’s Johnson, Pitz on CIML Iowa Conference first team
Ankeny’s Johnson, Centennial’s Phipps named to Class 5A West all-district team
Basketball standouts Abby Johnson of Ankeny and Maggie Phipps of Ankeny Centennial have both earned all-district honors from the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association. Johnson and Phipps were named to the Class 5A West team. The squad consists of 17 players, 15 of them from the CIML. Phipps, a senior guard, has led the Jaguars to a 15-2 record and a berth in … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Johnson, Centennial’s Phipps named to Class 5A West all-district team
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 126
Publisher Dan Holm recaps state wrestling and previews the girls' state basketball tournament in the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by Coldwell Banker Mid-America. State champion Trever Anderson and Cael Cox of Ankeny joined Carter Cahill of Ankeny Centennial for the wrestling portion of the podcast, then Centennial coach Scott … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 126
‘Our girls battled all the way’: Hawkettes finish season with loss to No. 1 Waukee
It's going to take a girls' basketball team with a lot of firepower to knock off top-ranked Waukee. Ankeny took its best shot on Tuesday in a Class 5A regional final. The Hawkettes just didn't have enough weapons to pull off the upset. Abby Johnson scored a career-high 23 points, but she was the only Ankeny player in double figures as the host Warriors … [Read more...] about ‘Our girls battled all the way’: Hawkettes finish season with loss to No. 1 Waukee
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Abby Johnson, Ankeny girls’ basketball
Senior forward Abby Johnson scored a career-high 22 points to lead the Ankeny girls' basketball team to a 73-37 victory over visiting Ames in a Class 5A regional semifinal on Saturday. She has averaged 18.4 points over the last five games. The Hawkettes (10-6) will play at top-ranked Waukee (9-1) in the regional final on Tuesday at 7 p.m. Here is some … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Abby Johnson, Ankeny girls’ basketball
Hawkettes top Ames girls for 3rd time, earn rematch against No. 1 Waukee
A regional final matchup against top-ranked Waukee isn't going to intimidate the Ankeny girls' basketball team. If the Hawkettes play like they did on Saturday night, they might even pull off a huge upset. "Coming off this game, I think we played really well," Ankeny guard Jenna Pitz said after the Hawkettes' 73-37 victory over visiting Ames in a Class … [Read more...] about Hawkettes top Ames girls for 3rd time, earn rematch against No. 1 Waukee