The Iowa High School Athletic Association has announced some changes for the upcoming football season, including a success model that will result in Class 4A being trimmed from 42 schools down to 40. The state is hoping to provide better competitive balance among Iowa's largest schools. Des Moines Hoover, Mason City and Burlington have dropped to Class 3A … [Read more...] about IHSAA introduces success model for Class 4A football in 2020
Jaguars
Centennial boys earn 10th straight win, hand Scarlets their 31st loss in a row
It would have been easy for the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team to overlook its opponent on Tuesday. Des Moines East entered the non-conference game at Centennial with a 1-57 record over the last three years. The Scarlets' last two losses, which came by margins of 16 and 14 points, were their closest games of this season. "You just hope in … [Read more...] about Centennial boys earn 10th straight win, hand Scarlets their 31st loss in a row
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 81
Check out the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by the Ankeny office of Iowa Realty. Ankeny Centennial assistant girls' basketball coach Dave Runchey and his daughter, Taylor, stopped by to preview Friday's Jag-Hawk rematch with Ankeny Fanatic publisher Dan Holm, who also interviewed Ankeny senior Ashley Harrington to get her … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 81
Jaguars roll past D.M. East, snap losing skid behind Murray’s career night
Breaking out of a recent slump, Cleao Murray scored a career-high 20 points to lead the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team to a 66-23 victory over visiting Des Moines East on Tuesday. Murray--who had averaged just seven points per game over the previous six contests--went 8-for-15 from the field, including 3-of-5 from 3-point range. She also had … [Read more...] about Jaguars roll past D.M. East, snap losing skid behind Murray’s career night
Hawk bowlers roll 251 in last baker game to edge East, even record at 5-5
The Ankeny boys' bowling team pulled out another narrow victory on Tuesday to even its overall record at 5-5. The Hawks posted a score of 251 in their final baker game to defeat visiting Des Moines East in a non-conference dual meet at Great Escape. They won by a score of 2,968 to 2,918. Ankeny was coming off a 44-pin win over Dowling Catholic on … [Read more...] about Hawk bowlers roll 251 in last baker game to edge East, even record at 5-5
Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Preston Kelling, Centennial boys’ hoops
Senior guard Preston Kelling has helped the fourth-ranked Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team to a 15-1 record. He scored a season-high 23 points on Tuesday in the Jaguars' 78-70 victory at No. 1 Waukee. Kelling is averaging 8.6 points and 4.8 rebounds per game. He is shooting 46.4 percent from the field (52-of-112). Here is some inside info on … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Preston Kelling, Centennial boys’ hoops
Jaguars, Hawks placed in different substate brackets by IHSAA
The coaches from the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball teams were hoping to be placed in different substate brackets, which would create the possibility of both squads advancing to the state tournament. They got their wish. The Iowa High School Athletic Association announced its Class 4A assignments on Friday. Ankeny has been placed in … [Read more...] about Jaguars, Hawks placed in different substate brackets by IHSAA
Jaguars avenge their only loss, move closer to Central Conference crown
The Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team moved a step closer toward the CIML Central Conference title by avenging its only loss of the season. The fourth-ranked Jaguars closed out Friday's game on a 32-10 run to defeat visiting Dowling Catholic, 63-48. It was Centennial's ninth straight win since suffering a 68-55 loss at Dowling on Jan. 3. "We lost … [Read more...] about Jaguars avenge their only loss, move closer to Central Conference crown
Clark’s defense proves to be difference in Dowling’s win over Centennial girls
The Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team held Dowling Catholic star Caitlin Clark to just two 3-point goals during Friday's game at Centennial. The Iowa recruit found other ways to score, though, and finished with 32 points in leading the second-ranked Maroons to a 56-49 victory. Clark wreaked havoc on defense, turning several steals into layups at … [Read more...] about Clark’s defense proves to be difference in Dowling’s win over Centennial girls
Ankeny trio, Centennial’s Neils capture individual titles at CIML Invitational
If Friday's CIML Invitational at Southeast Polk was any indication of what's going to happen later this month at the Class 3A state wrestling tournament, then both Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial could make a lot of noise at Wells Fargo Arena. The eighth-ranked Jaguars placed second in Friday's 16-team tournament, while the No. 7 Hawks took fourth. It was … [Read more...] about Ankeny trio, Centennial’s Neils capture individual titles at CIML Invitational
CIML Central Conference basketball standings
A 3-point goal by Jaxon Smith with 2 seconds left gave the Ankeny boys' basketball team a 45-42 victory at Ames on Friday, keeping the Hawks alive in the race for the CIML Central Conference title. Ankeny remained one game behind crosstown rival Ankeny Centennial, which avenged its only loss of the season with a 63-48 win over visiting Dowling Catholic. … [Read more...] about CIML Central Conference basketball standings
Hawk bowlers come from behind to beat Dowling; Hawkettes also prevail
Don't ever count out the Ankeny boys' bowling team. Head coach Lane Richtsmeier certainly won't following Wednesday's dual meet at Val Lanes. The Hawks rallied from a sizable deficit to beat Dowling Catholic by a score of 2,996 to 2,952. It was a season-high total for the Ankeny boys' squad. "I'm going to start calling them 'The Comeback Kids,'" … [Read more...] about Hawk bowlers come from behind to beat Dowling; Hawkettes also prevail
Centennial shortstop Gray to play baseball at Wartburg College
Ankeny Centennial shortstop Keaton Gray has committed to play baseball for Wartburg College. The senior announced his decision via Twitter earlier this week. "I’m very excited to announce that I have committed to continue my academic and baseball career at Wartburg College," Gray tweeted. "I’m very thankful for the opportunities that I have been given … [Read more...] about Centennial shortstop Gray to play baseball at Wartburg College
Jaguars take down No. 1 Waukee, give Fontana his 400th career victory
Bob Fontana's 400th career coaching victory is one that he'll never forget. The sixth-ranked Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team led almost the entire way and posted a 78-70 victory at No. 1 Waukee on Tuesday, allowing Fontana to reach the milestone. Afterwards, Fontana told his team outside the locker room that he'd rather have a state tournament … [Read more...] about Jaguars take down No. 1 Waukee, give Fontana his 400th career victory
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 80
Check out the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by the Ankeny office of Iowa Realty. Head coach Jack Wignall and defending state champions Caleb Rathjen and Trever Anderson of Ankeny stopped by to preview Friday's CIML Invitational wrestling tournament with Ankeny Fanatic publisher Dan Holm, who also interviewed Ankeny Centennial … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 80
No. 5 Waukee girls start fast, finish strong in win over Centennial
A slow start doomed the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team on Tuesday. The 10th-ranked Jaguars fell behind after the first quarter, 25-7, and eventually dropped a 55-33 decision in a non-conference game at No. 5 Waukee. It was their lowest offensive output of the season and their lowest total overall since a 46-27 loss at Johnston last year. "It … [Read more...] about No. 5 Waukee girls start fast, finish strong in win over Centennial
Blimpie Sub of the Week: Cade Macke, Ankeny Centennial boys’ basketball
Senior guard Cade Macke has helped the sixth-ranked Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team to a 14-1 record. He is averaging 1.8 points per game. Macke is shooting 33.3 percent from 3-point range (5-of-15). He has scored a season-high five points on three different occasions. "The thing that stands out about Cade is that he is always there for his … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Cade Macke, Ankeny Centennial boys’ basketball
TOUGH AS NEILS: Unbeaten Centennial senior wins crown at Ed Winger Invite
One of the reasons Ankeny Centennial wrestling coach Jay Groth wanted his team to compete in the Ed Winger Invitational was to prepare the Jaguars for the stretch run of the season. It remains to be seen how things will turn out. On Saturday, Centennial placed sixth in the 19-team field at the Urbandale tournament. The eighth-ranked Jaguars racked up … [Read more...] about TOUGH AS NEILS: Unbeaten Centennial senior wins crown at Ed Winger Invite
Ames girls top Jaguars after forcing OT on miraculous basket at buzzer
Sometimes, the ball doesn't bounce your way. Or, the questionable call that could have gone either way doesn't go in your favor. The 10th-ranked Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team experienced both of those things Friday on the same play--a miraculous basket by Ames' Teagan Lipsey that forced overtime and eventually helped the No. 12 Little … [Read more...] about Ames girls top Jaguars after forcing OT on miraculous basket at buzzer
McAleer’s career night helps Centennial boys pull away from Little Cyclones
A 29-3 run that spanned both halves allowed the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team to post a 50-29 victory over visiting Ames on Friday. The sixth-ranked Jaguars trailed, 16-11, before scoring the last 10 points of the first half. They then outscored Ames in the third quarter, 16-3, to build a 37-19 advantage. "It was a slow-paced game the first … [Read more...] about McAleer’s career night helps Centennial boys pull away from Little Cyclones