The Ankeny and Ames girls' basketball teams were both missing a key player for Friday's regular-season finale at Ankeny. Only one of them could be back next Saturday, when the two squads will likely face off again in a Class 5A regional semifinal. Forwards Calyssa Wright of Ankeny and Ashley Iiams of Ames both sat out with concussions as the Hawkettes … [Read more...] about Hawkettes top Ames in potential preview of Class 5A regional semifinal
Girls' Basketball
Jaguars earn No. 1 seed in Region 5; No. 2 Waukee stands in Ankeny’s path to state
The wait is over for the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball teams. The Hawkettes and Jaguars now know their postseason opponents. Fifth-ranked Ankeny Centennial (12-2) earned a No. 1 seed in Class 5A Region 5 and will host a semifinal game against Urbandale (3-7) on Saturday, Feb. 20 at 7 p.m. The two teams have not met this season. No. … [Read more...] about Jaguars earn No. 1 seed in Region 5; No. 2 Waukee stands in Ankeny’s path to state
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 124
Check out the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by Coldwell Banker Mid-America. Publisher Dan Holm interviews Ankeny girls' basketball coach Dru McAnelly and sophomore point guard Jenna Pitz, along with Ankeny boys' basketball coach Brandt Carlson and junior post player Braden Simonsen, and previews the boys' state swim meet with … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 124
Hawkettes snap four-game losing skid with largest win ever under McAnelly
A car accident over the weekend left Ankeny girls' basketball player Calyssa Wright with a concussion. Fortunately for the Hawkettes, they didn't need her on Tuesday. Ankeny built a 53-10 halftime lead and cruised to a 79-21 victory over visiting Des Moines Hoover in a non-conference game. The Hawkettes (8-6) played for the first time in a week after … [Read more...] about Hawkettes snap four-game losing skid with largest win ever under McAnelly
Hawkettes tumble to Roosevelt for 4th loss to rated opponent in 6 days
A matchup against a struggling opponent might be just what the Ankeny girls' basketball team needs right now. The 13th-ranked Hawkettes will travel to Marshalltown on Friday for a CIML Iowa Conference game against the Bobcats, who fell to 1-14 on the season with a 66-13 loss to No. 1 Johnston on Tuesday. Ankeny will be looking to end a four-game losing … [Read more...] about Hawkettes tumble to Roosevelt for 4th loss to rated opponent in 6 days
Christmann enjoys career night, but Valley gets the win on buzzer-beater
When the Ankeny girls' basketball team needed a spark on Monday night, senior guard Rachael Christmann provided it. Christmann made five 3-point goals in the fourth quarter as the 13th-ranked Hawkettes overcame a 12-point deficit in a CIML non-conference game at No. 10 Valley. Her last 3-pointer from well behind the arc tied the score at 45-45 with 15 … [Read more...] about Christmann enjoys career night, but Valley gets the win on buzzer-beater
Jaguars hold off Ankeny’s upset bid, clinch share of Iowa Conference title
The Ankeny girls' basketball team was in position on Friday to knock off crosstown rival Ankeny Centennial for the first time ever. But a pair of 3-point shots, one in the third quarter that would have put the Hawkettes ahead and another in the fourth that would have tied the game, bounced off the rim. Fifth-ranked Ankeny Centennial then pulled away in … [Read more...] about Jaguars hold off Ankeny’s upset bid, clinch share of Iowa Conference title
Hawkettes begin difficult four-game stretch with 69-50 loss at No. 9 Dowling
A four-game stretch over the next six days--all of them against ranked opponents--will severely challenge the Ankeny girls' basketball team. There won't be much time for the 13th-ranked Hawkettes to celebrate a huge win--or to hang their heads following a tough loss. That's why Ankeny coach Dru McAnelly said his team would quickly move on from … [Read more...] about Hawkettes begin difficult four-game stretch with 69-50 loss at No. 9 Dowling
‘We’ve put ourselves in a great spot’: Ankeny girls remain in title chase
Saturday's win at Ames was one of the biggest of Abby Johnson's high school basketball career. It sets up an even bigger game for the Ankeny girls' squad on Friday. Johnson scored a career-high 20 points before fouling out to lead the 13th-ranked Hawkettes to a 66-55 victory in the CIML Iowa Conference matchup. They raised their records to 6-1 in the … [Read more...] about ‘We’ve put ourselves in a great spot’: Ankeny girls remain in title chase
Hawkettes cruise past Fort Dodge, move into sole possession of 2nd place
The Ankeny girls' basketball team moved into sole possession of second place in the CIML Iowa Conference on Friday. The 13th-ranked Hawkettes posted a 66-40 victory at Fort Dodge. That win, coupled with Ames' 71-53 loss to Mason City, allowed Ankeny to break a second-place tie with the Little Cyclones. However, Ames will host the Hawkettes on Saturday. … [Read more...] about Hawkettes cruise past Fort Dodge, move into sole possession of 2nd place
Hawkettes shut down Mason City, will play Ames next in battle for 2nd place
It would have been easy for the Ankeny girls' basketball team to overlook visiting Mason City on Tuesday. The Mohawks lost their first eight games of the season, including a 71-47 decision to Ankeny on Dec. 11. But Mason City had been playing much better of late, scoring 69 points in a loss to sixth-ranked Cedar Falls on Dec. 19. And the Mohawks … [Read more...] about Hawkettes shut down Mason City, will play Ames next in battle for 2nd place
Struggling Bobcats provide breather for Ankeny girls after back-to-back losses
After a couple of losses against top-five teams, the Ankeny girls' basketball squad got a breather on Friday night. The Hawkettes scored the first 21 points of the game and went on to defeat visiting Marshalltown, 56-17, in a CIML Iowa Conference contest. It was the fewest points allowed by Ankeny since the 2017-18 season, when the Hawkettes posted a … [Read more...] about Struggling Bobcats provide breather for Ankeny girls after back-to-back losses
‘We had different people step up’: Jaguars hold off Ankeny’s strong effort
A strong effort by the Ankeny girls' basketball team wasn't enough to produce a victory on Tuesday night. Its crosstown rival was just a little bit better. Fifth-ranked Ankeny Centennial pulled away in the second half to defeat the visiting Hawkettes, 57-41, in a CIML Iowa Conference game. The Jaguars improved to 15-0 all-time against Ankeny, but this … [Read more...] about ‘We had different people step up’: Jaguars hold off Ankeny’s strong effort
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Ellie Maschoff, Ankeny girls’ basketball
Senior guard Ellie Maschoff has helped the Ankeny girls' basketball team to a 3-1 record. She is averaging 9.5 points and 5.3 rebounds per game. Maschoff scored a season-high 13 points in the Hawkettes' 74-44 victory over visiting Fort Dodge on Dec. 18. She went 3-for-4 from 3-point range. Here is some inside info on Maschoff: How is the season … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Ellie Maschoff, Ankeny girls’ basketball
Blimpie Sub of the Week: Katelyn Anderson, Ankeny girls’ basketball
Junior forward Katelyn Anderson has helped the Ankeny girls' basketball team to a 3-1 record. Anderson had seven points and four rebounds as the Hawkettes opened their season with a 71-47 victory at Mason City on Dec. 11. She is averaging 2.0 points and 1.3 rebounds per game. "Katelyn brings a variety of things (to the team)," said Ankeny coach Dru … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Katelyn Anderson, Ankeny girls’ basketball
Central Bank Athlete of the Month: Abby Johnson, Ankeny senior
‘They were hitting everything’: Waukee girls make 12 3-pointers, roll past Ankeny
A 3-0 start for the Ankeny girls' basketball team consisted of victories over Mason City, Pella and Fort Dodge. None of those teams is in the same stratosphere as Waukee. The Hawkettes discovered that reality on Monday as third-ranked Waukee opened its season with an 81-38 victory over Ankeny at the Waukee Fieldhouse. The Warriors made 12 3-point goals … [Read more...] about ‘They were hitting everything’: Waukee girls make 12 3-pointers, roll past Ankeny
Hawkettes remain unbeaten, gear up for Monday’s showdown at No. 3 Waukee
The Ankeny girls' basketball team remained unbeaten with a 74-44 victory over visiting Fort Dodge on Friday. The Hawkettes jumped out to a 23-10 lead at the end of the first quarter. They extended the margin to 45-24 at halftime. "I thought we ran in transition very well and did an extremely good job at making the extra pass," said Ankeny coach Dru … [Read more...] about Hawkettes remain unbeaten, gear up for Monday’s showdown at No. 3 Waukee
Hawkettes battle back from early deficit to post 54-50 victory at Pella
Overcoming a slow start, the Ankeny girls' basketball team battled back for a 54-50 victory at Pella on Tuesday. The Hawkettes fell behind after the first quarter, 16-9. They rallied to take a 29-26 halftime lead, then held off the Little Dutch down the stretch in the non-conference game. "It was kind of an ugly, hard-fought win," said Ankeny coach Dru … [Read more...] about Hawkettes battle back from early deficit to post 54-50 victory at Pella
Hawkettes overcome ‘tricky situation’, romp past Mason City in opener
The Ankeny girls' basketball team got double-digit scoring from four different players and opened its season with a 71-47 victory at Mason City on Friday. Ankeny coach Dru McAnelly often stresses the importance of having three players score in double figures. Four is even better. "I think our winning percentage is definitely way higher when we have … [Read more...] about Hawkettes overcome ‘tricky situation’, romp past Mason City in opener