Ankeny Fanatic

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Jaguars

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

The wait is over: Fontana’s Jaguars earn their first trip to Wells Fargo Arena

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When Bob Fontana returned to his hometown of Ankeny in 2013 to build the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball program from scratch, one of his primary goals was to get the Jaguars to the state tournament in the next few years. It took a little longer than he would have liked, but the wait was worth it. On Tuesday, Fontana guided the top-ranked Jaguars to … [Read more...] about The wait is over: Fontana’s Jaguars earn their first trip to Wells Fargo Arena

Blimpie Sub of the Week: Elle Street, Ankeny Centennial girls’ basketball

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Sophomore guard Elle Street is a member of the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team. She helped the Jaguars to a 13-10 record this season. Street averaged 2.2 points and 1.3 rebounds per game. She also contributed 20 assists, 12 steals and nine blocks. "Elle is one of our best athletes and used those abilities to defend the best players in the … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Elle Street, Ankeny Centennial girls’ basketball

TWICE AS NICE: Jaguars, Hawks both advance to Class 4A state tournament

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The Ankeny boys' basketball team is headed to the state tournament for the first time since 2012. Crosstown rival Ankeny Centennial will be making the trip to Wells Fargo Arena for the first time ever. Both squads qualified for the Class 4A tournament with victories on Tuesday. Top-ranked Centennial posted a 58-42 win over Johnston in a substate final … [Read more...] about TWICE AS NICE: Jaguars, Hawks both advance to Class 4A state tournament

Centennial, Ankeny boys to play for state tournament berths on Tuesday

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A trip to the Class 4A state tournament is only 32 minutes away for the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball teams. The top-ranked Jaguars (22-1) will meet CIML Central Conference rival Johnston (15-7) in a substate final on Tuesday at Southeast Polk, while the Hawks (17-5) will face Sioux City East (17-4) at Fort Dodge. Both games begin at 7 … [Read more...] about Centennial, Ankeny boys to play for state tournament berths on Tuesday

Burns named to all-conference 1st team; Runchey, Pitz earn 2nd-team honors

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Ankeny Centennial standout Meg Burns has been unanimously selected to the CIML Central Conference first team by a vote of the league's girls' basketball coaches. She led the Jaguars to a 13-10 record this season. Burns, a senior guard, averaged a team-high 12.2 points per game and shot 48.4 percent from 3-point range, making 61-of-126 attempts. The … [Read more...] about Burns named to all-conference 1st team; Runchey, Pitz earn 2nd-team honors