Ava Martin wasn't going to let a gash on her head take her out of the lineup for the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team. The junior guard made 4-of-7 3-point shots and scored 12 points to help the fifth-ranked Jaguars to a 64-30 victory over visiting Sioux City North in a Class 5A regional semifinal on Saturday. She wore a bandage across her … [Read more...] about Martin, Crawford lead No. 5 Jaguars past Sioux City North in postseason opener
Jaguars
Centennial quartet, Ankeny duo come up short in Class 3A semifinal matches
It was a rough Friday afternoon for both the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial wrestling teams. The two squads combined to go 0-for-6 in the semifinals of the Class 3A state tournament at Wells Fargo Arena. "That blood round has come back to haunt us for the second year in a row," said Centennial coach Jay Groth. "We didn't have a very good one last year … [Read more...] about Centennial quartet, Ankeny duo come up short in Class 3A semifinal matches
‘We fought hard’: Jaguars advance 4 to semis, stay in contention for team trophy
Four Ankeny Centennial wrestlers advanced to Friday's semifinals in a variety of ways at the Class 3A state tournament. In the process, the quartet moved the fourth-ranked Jaguars closer to a coveted team trophy. Centennial sits in third place at the midway point of the tournament with 77.5 points, 12 more than fourth-place Indianola. No. 1 Southeast … [Read more...] about ‘We fought hard’: Jaguars advance 4 to semis, stay in contention for team trophy
Winkel reaches milestone as Jags beat Johnston to close out regular season
The Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team closed out the regular season Thursday on a high note. The 10th-ranked Jaguars jumped out to a 17-8 lead at the end of the first quarter and went on to post a 59-40 victory over visiting Johnston, allowing them to complete a sweep of the season series. "We got off to a great start," said Centennial coach Bob … [Read more...] about Winkel reaches milestone as Jags beat Johnston to close out regular season
Jaguars sit in 2nd place, advance 8 of their 11 state qualifiers to quarterfinals
In 2019, the Ankeny Centennial wrestling team placed fourth in the Class 3A state tournament, the school's highest finish ever. This week at Wells Fargo Arena, the fourth-ranked Jaguars are looking to finish even higher. Centennial got off to a great start on Wednesday, when the Jaguars went 11-3 on the opening day of the tournament and advanced eight … [Read more...] about Jaguars sit in 2nd place, advance 8 of their 11 state qualifiers to quarterfinals
Tigges bowls 641 series at state qualifying meet; Hawks finish 7th overall
Ankeny senior Sam Tigges closed out his high school bowling career with another solid effort on Tuesday at Cedar Falls. But he still wasn't satsified. Tigges bowled a three-game series of 641 in a Class 3A state qualifying meet. He bowled games of 212, 204 and 225, but it wasn't good enough to qualify for state. "I feel like I could have done … [Read more...] about Tigges bowls 641 series at state qualifying meet; Hawks finish 7th overall
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 249
In the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by Coldwell Banker Mid-America, publisher Dan Holm breaks down all of the boys' and girls' basketball postseason brackets with frequent guest Andy Pollock. … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 249
‘We played a lot better the 2nd half’: Jags solve zone defense, beat Winterset
It took awhile for the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team to figure out its opponent's zone defense on Monday night. After trailing by one point at halftime, the 10th-ranked Jaguars pulled away in the second half for a 59-47 non-conference win over visiting Winterset, the No. 7 team in Class 3A. It wasn't pretty, but Centennial improved to 15-6 … [Read more...] about ‘We played a lot better the 2nd half’: Jags solve zone defense, beat Winterset
Rubber match?: Ankeny, Centennial boys are top 2 seeds in Class 4A Substate 8
The Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball teams finally learned their postseason assignments on Monday. The crosstown rivals may have to play each other for a trip to the state tournament. After moving into the No. 8 spot in the final Class 4A rankings, Ankeny (14-6) was awarded the No. 1 seed in Substate 8 by the Iowa High School Athletic … [Read more...] about Rubber match?: Ankeny, Centennial boys are top 2 seeds in Class 4A Substate 8
No. 4 Jaguars capture district crown, qualify 11 wrestlers for state tournament
The Ankeny Centennial wrestlers turned in a dominating performance on Saturday. The fourth-ranked Jaguars easily won a Class 3A district tournament at Cedar Rapids Prairie, racking up 210 points and qualifying 11 wrestlers for this week's state tournament at Wells Fargo Arena. Iowa City West was a distant second with 148 points. "For the most part we … [Read more...] about No. 4 Jaguars capture district crown, qualify 11 wrestlers for state tournament
Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Owen Evans, Ankeny boys’ swimming
Senior Owen Evans helped the Ankeny boys' swimming team to a ninth-place finish in the state meet on Saturday at Iowa City. He earned a spot on the awards podium in two of his four events. Evans scored a total of 26.5 points for the Hawks, accounting for more than 23 percent of the team's total (113 points). Here is some inside info on … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Owen Evans, Ankeny boys’ swimming
Ankeny swimmers earn spots on podium in 4 events, place 9th overall at state
After placing fourth a year ago, the Ankeny boys' swimming team was hoping to contend for another top-five finish in the state meet on Saturday at Iowa City. In the end, the Hawks settled for a ninth-place finish. They scored 113 points. "Overall, this meet was pretty crazy," said Ankeny senior Owen Schwebach, who earned a pair of top-eight finishes in … [Read more...] about Ankeny swimmers earn spots on podium in 4 events, place 9th overall at state
CIML Conference basketball standings
The Ankeny boys' basketball team played the role of a spoiler in the CIML Conference race. The Hawks rallied for a 76-72 victory at third-ranked Valley on Friday, knocking the Tigers out of a tie for first place in the league. Then, on Saturday, No. 7 Waukee clinched the outright conference title by rolling to a 91-53 win over Southeast Polk. On the … [Read more...] about CIML Conference basketball standings
Jaguars fall short against Dowling, will await 4A substate pairings on Monday
After playing one of its best games of the season on Friday, the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team looked like a different squad less than 24 hours later. The eighth-ranked Jaguars dropped a 52-48 decision to visiting Dowling Catholic in a CIML Conference game on Saturday afternoon. The Maroons, who swept the season series, were coming off a 65-60 … [Read more...] about Jaguars fall short against Dowling, will await 4A substate pairings on Monday
‘It was a hard-fought game’: Jags edge Waukee NW, end regular season at 12-8
(Story by Gabe Ploeger) In a game that never lacked competitive spirit, the fifth-ranked Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team closed out the regular season on Friday with a 48-44 victory over visiting Waukee Northwest, the No. 12 squad in Class 5A. The Jaguars outscored Northwest in the fourth quarter, 13-9, to break away from a 35-35 tie. “It … [Read more...] about ‘It was a hard-fought game’: Jags edge Waukee NW, end regular season at 12-8
‘We defended the jungle’: Centennial boys shut down Wolves for 49-35 victory
(Story by Gabe Ploeger) The Waukee Northwest boys' basketball team had won six straight games and nine of their last 10, and the 10th-ranked Wolves intended to keep that hot streak going. But No. 8 Ankeny Centennial had their own plans. The Jaguars relied on a stingy defense to beat visiting Northwest, 49-35, in a CIML Conference game on … [Read more...] about ‘We defended the jungle’: Centennial boys shut down Wolves for 49-35 victory
Five Ankeny swimmers advance to Saturday’s finals at boys’ state meet
Five of Ankeny's nine individual state qualifiers advanced to Saturday's finals in the boys' state swim meet at Iowa City. Senior Owen Schwebach qualified for the "A" final in both of his events during Friday's preliminaries. Senior Owen Evans qualified for one "A" and one "B" final, while junior Brock Peterson qualified for the "B" final in both of his … [Read more...] about Five Ankeny swimmers advance to Saturday’s finals at boys’ state meet
‘I liked the coaches a lot’: Centennial’s Snyder to play for Minn. State-Mankato
Ankeny Centennial receiver Max Snyder has signed a letter of intent with Minnesota State-Mankato. Snyder said it wasn't an easy decision. "I looked at a lot of schools and also visited multiple," said Snyder. "It was tough to try to narrow down what I wanted in a school for sure. But I liked the coaches a lot at Minnesota State, and the fact that they … [Read more...] about ‘I liked the coaches a lot’: Centennial’s Snyder to play for Minn. State-Mankato
Ankeny bowlers Tigges, Johnston, Harris earn all-CIML Conference honors
The Ankeny bowling teams turned in some strong performances while hosting the CIML Conference meet on Wednesday at Great Escape. In the individual portion of the meet, Sam Tigges placed third and Gavin Johnston added an 11th-place finish for the Hawks. On the girls' side, Ankeny's Olivia Harris took eighth for the second straight year. Tigges bowled … [Read more...] about Ankeny bowlers Tigges, Johnston, Harris earn all-CIML Conference honors
Regional pairings announced: Ankeny’s No. 1 seed could be at stake on Friday
The Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team has earned a No. 1 seed in Class 5A regional play. Ankeny was also awarded a No. 1 seed in Region 8 by the Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union, but the eighth-ranked Hawkettes may need to win at No. 9 Valley on Friday to earn the right to host a regional final. After receiving a first-round bye, Ankeny … [Read more...] about Regional pairings announced: Ankeny’s No. 1 seed could be at stake on Friday