Ankeny Fanatic

Your Ankeny Sports Resource

Girls' Basketball

THE LOSS OF A LEGEND: Coaching giant Rasmussen passes away at 85

by

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

by

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

by

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

by

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

by

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

by

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

by

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

by

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

by

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

by

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

Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for the Jag-Hawk rematches on basketball court

by

A month ago, the Jag-Hawk basketball doubleheader produced a pair of games that weren't as close as many people expected them to be. The Ankeny Centennial girls' team built an 11-point halftime lead and cruised to a 57-37 victory over the Hawkettes. Then, in the boys' game, Ankeny allowed just 10 points in the first half and rolled to a 58-48 win over the … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for the Jag-Hawk rematches on basketball court

Centennial earns No. 1 seed in Region 2; Hawkettes are No. 2 seed in Region 3

by

The Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team appears to have a favorable path to the Class 5A state tournament. The road to Wells Fargo Arena looks more daunting for crosstown rival Ankeny. The Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union announced its Class 5A postseason pairings on Wednesday. Third-ranked Centennial is the No. 1 seed in Region 2, while No. … [Read more...] about Centennial earns No. 1 seed in Region 2; Hawkettes are No. 2 seed in Region 3

Hawkettes earn shot to play for league crown with victory over Mason City

by

There was a lot at stake when the Ankeny girls' basketball team played at Ankeny Centennial last month. Now, Friday's rematch at Ankeny will carry even more importance. The 12th-ranked Hawkettes kept their CIML Iowa Conference title hopes alive with a 61-40 victory over visiting Mason City on Friday. They can earn a share of the crown by defeating No. … [Read more...] about Hawkettes earn shot to play for league crown with victory over Mason City

Hawkettes rally for dramatic victory, keep their Iowa Conference title hopes alive

by

The Ankeny girls' basketball team's bid to win the CIML Iowa Conference title was hanging by a thread on Tuesday at Fort Dodge. Trailing by 58-51 late in the fourth quarter, the 10th-ranked Hawkettes appeared to be dangerously close to falling out of championship contention. But Ankeny then rallied for 10 consecutive points down the stretch, posting a … [Read more...] about Hawkettes rally for dramatic victory, keep their Iowa Conference title hopes alive

Ankeny girls romp past Little Cyclones, get their swagger and confidence back

by

Monday's game against visiting Ames gave the Ankeny girls' basketball team a chance to reset mentally. Coming off its worst loss of the season, the 10th-ranked Hawkettes placed four players in double figures and rolled to a 77-19 victory in a CIML Iowa Conference contest. "We just kind of needed to recharge the battery and clear the mindset," said … [Read more...] about Ankeny girls romp past Little Cyclones, get their swagger and confidence back

‘Sometimes it’s just one of those nights’: Hawkettes suffer worst loss of season

by

It's been a season of memorable moments for the Ankeny girls' basketball team. Friday's game at Waukee Northwest will be a forgettable one. The 10th-ranked Hawkettes got off to a slow start and never really recovered in a 63-25 loss to No. 12 Northwest, which avenged an earlier 44-41 defeat at Ankeny. It was by far the worst loss of the season for … [Read more...] about ‘Sometimes it’s just one of those nights’: Hawkettes suffer worst loss of season

‘It’s just a huge win in so many ways’: Hawkettes’ late rally stuns No. 5 Dowling

by

The last two Tuesday nights ended in disappointment for the Ankeny girls' basketball team. The 12th-ranked Hawkettes experienced a much better feeling this time. Ankeny dominated the fourth quarter to rally for a 35-29 victory over No. 5 Dowling Catholic in a non-conference game on Tuesday at the AHS gym. The Hawkettes erased a 28-21 deficit with a … [Read more...] about ‘It’s just a huge win in so many ways’: Hawkettes’ late rally stuns No. 5 Dowling