Ankeny Fanatic

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Jaguars

‘The great ones adapt’: Spring sports athletes, coaches dealing with COVID-19

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Ashley Harrington found out during her spring break trip to the Dominican Republic that her final soccer season at Ankeny High School could be in jeopardy. "I didn't truly realize this pandemic could affect the season until I got an email from (coach) Simon (Brown) regarding the IGHSAU restrictions," Harrington said. "I'm not currently in the U.S. so I … [Read more...] about ‘The great ones adapt’: Spring sports athletes, coaches dealing with COVID-19

Bayless, McCullough, Crews, Johnson earn all-state honors from IPSWA

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Four of the state's top 24 boys' basketball players in Class 4A played for either state champion Ankeny or CIML Central Conference champ Ankeny Centennial, according to the Iowa Print Sports Writers Association. Senior guard Braxton Bayless of Ankeny and senior forward Cody McCullough of Centennial were both selected to the Class 4A all-state first team … [Read more...] about Bayless, McCullough, Crews, Johnson earn all-state honors from IPSWA

Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Jaron Crews, Centennial boys’ basketball

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Junior guard Jaron Crews helped the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team to a 24-3 record and a fourth-place finish in the Class 4A state tournament. He was a unanimous pick to the CIML Central Conference first team. Crews averaged 13.5 points and 2.4 rebounds per game. He led the Jaguars with 51 3-point goals and 115 assists. Here is some inside … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Jaron Crews, Centennial boys’ basketball

Centennial trio, Ankeny’s Bayless named to Central Conference first team

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The Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team dominated the CIML Central Conference during the regular season. That probably explains why the Jaguars dominated the all-conference teams that were voted on by the league's coaches. Senior forwards Cody McCullough and Micah Johnson as well as junior guard Jaron Crews were all unanimous picks to the first … [Read more...] about Centennial trio, Ankeny’s Bayless named to Central Conference first team

‘He’s an animal’: McCullough sets school record with 24 rebounds in Jaguars’ loss

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Bob Fontana got a little choked up following Friday's Class 4A consolation game at the boys' state basketball tournament. He knew he had coached the seniors on his Ankeny Centennial squad for the last time. "It's real tough with these guys because they've been so good," Fontana said following the Jaguars' 65-58 loss to Cedar Falls at Wells Fargo Arena. … [Read more...] about ‘He’s an animal’: McCullough sets school record with 24 rebounds in Jaguars’ loss

Jaguars tumble to Cedar Falls, finish 4th in their state tournament debut

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The Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team placed fourth in the Class 4A state tournament. The top-seeded Jaguars lost to two-time defending champion Cedar Falls, 65-58, in the consolation final on Friday at Wells Fargo Arena. They finished the best season in school history with a 24-3 record. "I'm very, very proud of these guys," said Centennial … [Read more...] about Jaguars tumble to Cedar Falls, finish 4th in their state tournament debut

The Madness ends: Here are Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for Friday’s games

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The boys' Class 4A state basketball tournament has included a little bit of everything. Thrilling finishes. Outstanding individual performances. And, of course, a heavy dose of novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Friday's games will be played with spectator restrictions due to the national pandemic. But, at least the games will go on. So who is going to … [Read more...] about The Madness ends: Here are Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for Friday’s games

‘They found a weakness in our defense’: Waukee boys avenge loss to Jaguars

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When the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team posted a 78-70 victory at Waukee on Jan. 28, the Jaguars looked like a legitimate state championship contender. The loss, though, may have benefited the Warriors as well. Waukee has since reeled off 13 consecutive wins and avenged that loss by defeating top-seeded Centennial, 68-62, in the Class 4A … [Read more...] about ‘They found a weakness in our defense’: Waukee boys avenge loss to Jaguars

Hawks advance to Class 4A final; Centennial will play for 3rd place

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There won't be a Jag-Hawk showdown in the boys' Class 4A state basketball tournament. Both Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial had a chance to advance to Friday's title game, but only the Hawks came through with a victory in Thursday's semifinals at Wells Fargo Arena. Sixth-seeded Ankeny made 12-of-22 3-pointers and rolled to a 71-57 win over two-time … [Read more...] about Hawks advance to Class 4A final; Centennial will play for 3rd place

An all-Ankeny final? Here are Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for 4A semifinals

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As of now, the Class 4A semifinal games are still on for Thursday night at Wells Fargo Arena, but things can change in a hurry with the coronavirus. The Big Ten and Big 12 basketball tournaments have already been cancelled today. But, if the show goes on, it'll be an historic night for the community of Ankeny. Both Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial have … [Read more...] about An all-Ankeny final? Here are Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for 4A semifinals

‘We survived and advanced’: Jaguars hold off Davenport North in quarterfinals

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The fans of the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team held their collective breath in the final seconds of the Jaguars' first state tournament game ever. Eighth-seeded Davenport North had a chance to pull off a huge upset at the buzzer, but a 3-point shot by Mahki Jacobs bounced off the rim as time expired and top-ranked Centennial escaped with a 53-51 … [Read more...] about ‘We survived and advanced’: Jaguars hold off Davenport North in quarterfinals

Jaguars survive Davenport North’s upset bid, will play Waukee in semifinals

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Davenport North's Mahki Jacobs missed a 3-pointer at the buzzer and top-ranked Ankeny Centennial held on for a 53-51 victory in the Class 4A quarterfinals of the boys' state basketball tournament on Tuesday night at Wells Fargo Arena. "I was pretty scared on that last shot," said Centennial junior Jaron Crews. "I was guarding him, and from my position it … [Read more...] about Jaguars survive Davenport North’s upset bid, will play Waukee in semifinals

State tourney preview: Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for the Class 4A quarterfinals

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This could be one of the most wide-open boys' Class 4A state basketball tournaments in recent memory. Top-seeded Ankeny Centennial might be considered a slight favorite to win the crown, but several other teams in the field are legitimate contenders to capture the title, including sixth-seeded Ankeny. When the quarterfinal games get under way on … [Read more...] about State tourney preview: Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for the Class 4A quarterfinals

Burns named to Class 5A second team; Pitz earns third-team honors

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Ankeny Centennial's Meg Burns and Ankeny's Kayla Pitz were among 13 girls' basketball players from the Central Iowa Metropolitan League to earn all-state honors from the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association. Burns, a senior guard, was selected to the Class 5A second team. She led the Jaguars to a 13-10 record this season. Burns averaged 12.2 points per game … [Read more...] about Burns named to Class 5A second team; Pitz earns third-team honors

Here are some under-the-radar players to look out for in Class 4A tournament

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A lot of eyes will be on Ankeny's Braxton Bayless and Ankeny Centennial's Cody McCullough during next week's boys' Class 4A state basketball tournament. North Scott's Ty Anderson, Iowa City West's Even Brauns and Waukee's Tucker DeVries will also garner plenty of attention at Wells Fargo Arena. Those are just some of the stars who could lead their … [Read more...] about Here are some under-the-radar players to look out for in Class 4A tournament

A brief rundown of the teams in the boys’ Class 4A state tournament field

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Here's a quick look at each of the boys' basketball teams in the Class 4A state tournament: No. 4 seed Waukee (21-2): The Warriors avenged one of their two losses with a 59-55 victory over Valley in a substate final. Waukee boasts two of the state's top players in the Class of 2021, Tucker DeVries and Payton Sandfort, who combined for 39 points in the … [Read more...] about A brief rundown of the teams in the boys’ Class 4A state tournament field