Ankeny Fanatic

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Jaguars

PURPLE REIGN: Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for the Class 5A semifinals

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I'm not sure if Thursday's Class 5A semifinals in the girls' state basketball tournament can match the intensity and the drama of Monday's quarterfinals, but you never know. That's why they play the games. The Final Four includes three teams from the CIML as well as sixth-ranked Iowa City West, which avenged an earlier loss to No. 3 Waterloo West to reach … [Read more...] about PURPLE REIGN: Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for the Class 5A semifinals

‘It was a tough one’: Centennial boys tumble to No. 3 Ames in substate final

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In order to reach the state tournament, the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team needed a couple breaks to go its way. It didn't help when junior guard Caden Kelling re-injured his ankle shortly after entering Tuesday's Class 4A substate final against third-ranked Ames. Later, senior forward Colin McAleer took a hard fall and briefly left the game, but … [Read more...] about ‘It was a tough one’: Centennial boys tumble to No. 3 Ames in substate final

MARCH MADNESS BEGINS: Jaguars erase 14-point deficit, top Rams at buzzer

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March Madness is off to a roaring start at Wells Fargo Arena. Jackie Pippett scored the winning basket at the buzzer to give the fifth-ranked Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team a 47-45 victory over No. 4 Southeast Polk in the Class 5A quarterfinals on Monday. "I really didn't even think I was going to get the ball," said Pippett. "But I did, and … [Read more...] about MARCH MADNESS BEGINS: Jaguars erase 14-point deficit, top Rams at buzzer

Pippett’s buzzer-beater caps Jaguars’ amazing rally to beat S.E. Polk

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Holy comeback. For the second straight game, the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team pulled off an amazing rally. Jackie Pippett scored the winning basket as time expired and the fifth-ranked Jaguars overcame a 14-point deficit to beat No. 4 Southeast Polk, 47-45, in the quarterfinals of the Class 5A state tournament on Monday at Wells Fargo … [Read more...] about Pippett’s buzzer-beater caps Jaguars’ amazing rally to beat S.E. Polk

State tourney preview: Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for the Class 5A quarterfinals

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The girls' state basketball tournament gets under way at Wells Fargo Arena with the Class 5A quarterfinals on Monday. We already know that at least one team from the CIML will advance to Friday night's championship game. Top-ranked Waukee is joined in the top half of the bracket by Dowling Catholic, Southeast Polk and Ankeny Centennial. No. 2 Johnston … [Read more...] about State tourney preview: Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for the Class 5A quarterfinals

Jaguars fight off Indianola’s upset bid, advance to substate final against Ames

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It took awhile for the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team to fight off a pesky Indianola squad in a Class 4A substate semifinal on Friday. The visiting Indians battled Centennial to a 28-28 halftime tie before the eighth-ranked Jaguars used an 18-0 run in the second half to pull away for a 71-53 victory. "We just had to get it going," said … [Read more...] about Jaguars fight off Indianola’s upset bid, advance to substate final against Ames

Ankeny’s Johnson, Centennial’s Phipps named to Class 5A West all-district team

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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

‘We just hung in there’: Jaguars overcome 18-point deficit, earn trip to state

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Scott DeJong has had some amazing wins in his legendary coaching career. Tuesday's victory over Des Moines Roosevelt would have to be near the top of his list. The fifth-ranked Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team erased an 18-point deficit to beat No. 11 Des Moines Roosevelt, 44-42, in a Class 5A regional final at Centennial. The Jaguars advanced … [Read more...] about ‘We just hung in there’: Jaguars overcome 18-point deficit, earn trip to state

Jaguars use epic comeback to edge Roosevelt, advance to state tourney

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The Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team is headed to the state tournament for the third time in school history. It took an epic comeback for the Jaguars to survive and advance. Fifth-ranked Centennial rallied from an 18-point deficit to beat No. 11 Des Moines Roosevelt, 44-42, in a Class 5A regional final on Tuesday at Centennial. Maggie Phipps … [Read more...] about Jaguars use epic comeback to edge Roosevelt, advance to state tourney

Jaguars shut down Urbandale, will host No. 11 Roosevelt in regional final

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Scott DeJong knows that his Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team isn't always going to shoot the lights out. But when the fifth-ranked Jaguars defend like they did on Saturday night, it really doesn't matter. Centennial allowed just two points in the first 13 minutes of the game, built a 36-9 halftime lead and then cruised to a 52-32 victory over … [Read more...] about Jaguars shut down Urbandale, will host No. 11 Roosevelt in regional final

‘It feels amazing, but I want more’: Jags’ Cahill not satisfied with 5th-place finish

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After earning a fifth-place finish in the Class 3A state wrestling tournament on Saturday, Ankeny Centennial junior Carter Cahill is still hungry. "It feels amazing, but I want more," said Cahill. "Next year I'm certainly shooting for that state championship." The sixth-ranked Cahill posted a 7-2 decision over No. 10 Ryan Van Donselaar of Pella in the … [Read more...] about ‘It feels amazing, but I want more’: Jags’ Cahill not satisfied with 5th-place finish

Jaguars pull away from Urbandale, finish regular season with 13-4 record

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It's a good bet that the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team will be practicing special situations this week as the Jaguars prepare for the start of postseason play. In its regular-season finale on Friday, Centennial twice gave up a 3-point goal at the buzzer in the first half as visiting Urbandale managed to keep the game close, trailing by only … [Read more...] about Jaguars pull away from Urbandale, finish regular season with 13-4 record

Cahill avenges loss to Fort Dodge’s Cook, assures himself of top-six finish

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Ankeny Centennial's Carter Cahill didn't get down on himself after a first-round loss in the Class 3A state wrestling tournament on Thursday. The sixth-ranked Cahill has responded with three consecutive consolation victories at 160 pounds. He posted a 3-2 decision over No. 5 Kody Cook of Fort Dodge on Friday night at Wells Fargo Arena, assuring himself of … [Read more...] about Cahill avenges loss to Fort Dodge’s Cook, assures himself of top-six finish

Anderson, Rathjen reach semifinals; Hawks assured of having 6 placewinners

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The quest for more gold continues for Ankeny wrestlers Trever Anderson and Caleb Rathjen. Both standouts advanced to the semifinals of the Class 3A state tournament with dominating victories on Friday morning at Wells Fargo Arena. The semifinals will be held on Friday night. The top-ranked Anderson won by a technical fall, 19-2, over No. 7 Tanner Wink … [Read more...] about Anderson, Rathjen reach semifinals; Hawks assured of having 6 placewinners

‘Both teams fought to the bitter end’: Ankeny bowlers finish 5th in Sioux City

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The season has ended for the Ankeny bowling teams. Both squads competed in state-qualifying meets this week at Plaza Bowl in Sioux City and placed fifth among six teams. The boys' meet was held on Wednesday and the girls' meet was contested on Thursday after both meets were postponed earlier in the week due to cold weather. The Hawks posted a score of … [Read more...] about ‘Both teams fought to the bitter end’: Ankeny bowlers finish 5th in Sioux City

Wiener advances to quarterfinals; 3 other Jaguars alive in consolation bracket

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Ankeny Centennial's Cael Wiener was a lot more relaxed heading into this year's Class 3A state wrestling tournament. He felt even better after advancing to Friday's quarterfinals. The eighth-ranked Wiener posted a 12-6 decision over No. 7 Nate Bierma of Valley in a first-round match at 113 pounds on Thursday at Wells Fargo Arena. He Improved his record … [Read more...] about Wiener advances to quarterfinals; 3 other Jaguars alive in consolation bracket