There's something about the Ankeny girls' basketball team that brings out the best in Ankeny Centennial's Finley Blackmore. The fifth-ranked Jaguars were clinging to a 47-45 lead on Friday at No. 8 Ankeny when Blackmore, a junior guard, made a 3-point goal from the left corner with 1 minute 15 seconds left. Her squad went on to post a 53-45 … [Read more...] about ‘She’s a clutch player’: Blackmore’s late trey seals Jaguars’ win over Ankeny
Jaguars
Ankeny girls finish 7th at state behind placewinners McGrew, Bratland, Bockes
It was a memorable state tournament for the Ankeny girls' wrestling team. Ankeny placed seventh in the two-day event that concluded on Friday night at Xtream Arena in Coralville, finishing with 86 points. The team had placed 40th a year ago in its inaugural season. "I think it is absolutely amazing to have seen our program grow so much in one year," … [Read more...] about Ankeny girls finish 7th at state behind placewinners McGrew, Bratland, Bockes
Here are Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for the Jag-Hawk basketball rematches
Round 2 of the Jag-Hawk basketball showdowns will be held on Friday at Ankeny, where Ankeny Centennial will try to complete a sweep of both the boys' and girls' series for the fourth time ever. Bragging rights will be at stake along with positioning in the CIML Conference. The winner of the boys' game will own sole possession of third place in the league … [Read more...] about Here are Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for the Jag-Hawk basketball rematches
Ankeny girls’ bowling team tops Dowling by nearly 300 pins for its 2nd victory
The Ankeny girls' bowling team earned its second victory of the season on Thursday. The Hawkettes defeated host Dowling Catholic by a score of 2,088 to 1,805 at Game Day Lanes. They improved to 1-5 in the CIML Conference and 2-9 overall. It was the second-highest score of the season for the Ankeny girls' squad. The Hawkettes' season-high total of 2,108 … [Read more...] about Ankeny girls’ bowling team tops Dowling by nearly 300 pins for its 2nd victory
Ankeny girls advance 2 wrestlers to semifinals, sit in 4th place at state meet
Ankeny's Hayden Bratland and Haylee McGrew are both headed to the semifinals of the girls' state wrestling tournament on Friday. Bratland and McGrew each won three matches on Thursday at Xtream Arena in Coralville, helping Ankeny move into fourth place heading into the final day of the meet. "Up and down, it was an emotional day. But we ended with some … [Read more...] about Ankeny girls advance 2 wrestlers to semifinals, sit in 4th place at state meet
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 247
In the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by Coldwell Banker Mid-America, publisher Dan Holm previews Friday's Jag-Hawk hoops doubleheader with girls' coaches Nate Tobey of Ankeny and Scott DeJong of Ankeny Centennial along with boys' coaches Brandt Carlson of Ankeny and Bob Fontana of Ankeny Centennial. Coldwell Banker realtor Tom … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 247
‘That was a nailbiter’: Jags use late pins to beat Johnston, advance to state duals
Lucas Bruhl and the Ankeny Centennial wrestlers are headed back to the state duals tournament. The top-ranked Bruhl got a fall at 150 pounds to clinch the fifth-seeded Jaguars' 45-34 victory over No. 11 Johnston in the final of a Class 3A regional dual on Tuesday at Centennial. He pinned Kinnick Thompson in just 24 seconds to punch his team's ticket to … [Read more...] about ‘That was a nailbiter’: Jags use late pins to beat Johnston, advance to state duals
Doubleday Insurance Coach of the Month: Jay Groth, Ankeny Centennial wrestling
The Jaguars advance to the state duals tournament for the second year in a row with a 45-34 victory over Johnston. … [Read more...] about Doubleday Insurance Coach of the Month: Jay Groth, Ankeny Centennial wrestling
Jaguars roll to victory over North after dropping to No. 8 in latest 4A rankings
The Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team dropped to No. 8 in the latest Class 4A rankings from the Iowa High School Athletic Association, making Monday's non-conference game against visiting Des Moines North all the more important. The Jaguars are fighting for a No. 1 seed in a substate tournament, which will go to the top eight teams in the final … [Read more...] about Jaguars roll to victory over North after dropping to No. 8 in latest 4A rankings
‘We’ve improved’: Centennial girls suffer another close loss to top-4 opponent
The gauntlet continued on Monday for the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team. Facing a top-four opponent for the third time in a week, the fifth-ranked Jaguars got off to a slow start on their home court and eventually dropped a 51-45 decision to No. 3 Dowling Catholic. "We played hard enough, but we've just got to play a little bit better," said … [Read more...] about ‘We’ve improved’: Centennial girls suffer another close loss to top-4 opponent
Vaske, Oakie lead 4 players in double figures as Jaguars roll past C.R. Prairie
A fast start ignited the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team to a 78-44 victory over visiting Cedar Rapids Prairie in a non-conference game on Saturday. The fifth-ranked Jaguars jumped out to a 30-11 lead at the end of the first quarter. They eventually built a 67-33 advantage after three periods. "We got off to a great start," said Centennial … [Read more...] about Vaske, Oakie lead 4 players in double figures as Jaguars roll past C.R. Prairie
CIML Conference basketball standings
Perhaps the top-ranked Johnston girls' basketball team isn't unbeatable after all. No. 5 Ankeny Centennial led for much of the game on Friday before the visiting Dragons rallied for a 64-59 victory. It marked the first time this season that Johnston defeated its opponent by fewer than 10 points. "I think we beat them every quarter but the third," said … [Read more...] about CIML Conference basketball standings
Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Dana Cleveland, Ankeny girls’ wrestling
Senior Dana Cleveland is one of eight state qualifiers for the Ankeny girls' wrestling team. She is ranked fourth at 145 pounds with a 37-1 record. The state tournament will be held on Thursday and Friday at Xtream Arena in Coralville. Cleveland, who placed fourth at 135 last year, will meet Annabelle Stelpflug of Iowa City High in her opening … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Dana Cleveland, Ankeny girls’ wrestling
‘It was a great game’: Jaguars take No. 1 Johnston down to wire before falling
The Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team has significantly closed the gap on the state's top-ranked squad. The No. 5 Jaguars battled visiting Johnston down to the wire on Friday before dropping a 64-59 decision. The Dragons had won the first meeting, 64-37, on Dec. 12. "It was a great game," said Centennial coach Scott DeJong. "Our team has really … [Read more...] about ‘It was a great game’: Jaguars take No. 1 Johnston down to wire before falling
Cleveland, Bratland claim titles, lead Ankeny to overall crown at super regional
For the second straight year, the Ankeny girls' wrestling team has qualified eight competitors for the state tournament. Ankeny easily won a super regional meet on Friday at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines. The team racked up 277 points, 100 more than runner-up Dallas Center-Grimes. Ankeny crowned two individual champions and had three other … [Read more...] about Cleveland, Bratland claim titles, lead Ankeny to overall crown at super regional
Ankeny bowling teams fall to Greene County in rematch at Spare Times
The high school bowling season is heading into the home stretch. Both of Ankeny's teams traveled to Jefferson on Friday for a non-conference meet against Greene County at Spare Times Lanes & Lounge. It was Ankeny's second meet in two days. Greene County won the boys' meet by a score of 2,699 to 2,618. Chase Fecher had a 472 series for the Rams … [Read more...] about Ankeny bowling teams fall to Greene County in rematch at Spare Times
‘We were just hungry for this win’: Jaguars top Waukee NW, raise record to 18-1
Mitchell Grider and the Ankeny Centennial wrestlers wanted to keep their momentum going heading into next week's Class 3A regional dual. Grider won by a major decision at 215 pounds to help the Jaguars to a 39-28 victory at Waukee Northwest in their final dual meet of the regular season on Thursday. "We had a good game plan coming in," said Grider, who … [Read more...] about ‘We were just hungry for this win’: Jaguars top Waukee NW, raise record to 18-1
No. 3 Warriors rally past Centennial boys, close in on CIML Conference crown
The third-ranked Waukee boys' basketball team showed on Tuesday why the Warriors will probably win the CIML Conference title. The host Warriors overcame a 14-point deficit in the second quarter to beat No. 5 Ankeny Centennial, 70-56, for the second time this season. They improved to 11-1 in the league and 11-4 overall, while the Jaguars' records dropped … [Read more...] about No. 3 Warriors rally past Centennial boys, close in on CIML Conference crown
Waukee girls lead from start to finish, snap Jaguars’ 6-game winning streak
The fifth-ranked Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team just couldn't get over the hump on Tuesday at No. 4 Waukee. The Warriors scored the game's first seven points and led all the way en route to a 60-53 victory. The loss snapped Centennial's six-game winning streak. "We didn't come out well at all, and it was disappointing," said Centennial coach … [Read more...] about Waukee girls lead from start to finish, snap Jaguars’ 6-game winning streak
Regional dual assignments announced: Jags to host, while Ankeny faces Valley
The regional dual wrestling assignments have been announced by the Iowa High School Athletic Association. Fifth-ranked Ankeny Centennial will host a regional dual on Tuesday, Jan. 30. No. 11 Johnston will face No. 21 Cedar Rapids Xavier in the opening round at 6 p.m., with the winner to then face Centennial for the right to advance to the state duals on … [Read more...] about Regional dual assignments announced: Jags to host, while Ankeny faces Valley