Ankeny Fanatic

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Jaguars

With 115 girls out and 12 state qualifiers returning, Jaguars have a lot of options

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The Ankeny Centennial girls' track team has grown by more than 40 percent. "We have 115 kids out right now, up from 80 last year," said Centennial coach Andrew Kruzich. "We've had a massive jump, which is exciting and challenging." The Jaguars, who are slated to compete in the UNI Indoor Meet on Monday at Cedar Falls, placed 14th in last year's Class … [Read more...] about With 115 girls out and 12 state qualifiers returning, Jaguars have a lot of options

Unanimous picks Murray, Pitz joined on all-conference first team by White, Jacks

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Guards Cleao Murray of Ankeny Centennial and Jenna Pitz of Ankeny were both unanimous picks to the CIML Iowa Conference first team by a vote of the league's girls' basketball coaches. Murray and Pitz led their teams to a share of the conference title this season. Ankeny and Centennial tied for the crown with Waukee Northwest. Murray, a senior, helped … [Read more...] about Unanimous picks Murray, Pitz joined on all-conference first team by White, Jacks

‘We knew it was a tough draw’: Talented Wahawks end Centennial’s bid for crown

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The Class 5A field for this year's girls' state basketball tournament might be one of the best ever. It's certainly the deepest. Sixth-ranked Waterloo West showed that it may be the most talented team in Class 5A with a 67-59 victory over No. 3 Ankeny Centennial in the quarterfinals on Monday at Wells Fargo Arena. The Wahawks (22-2) advanced to … [Read more...] about ‘We knew it was a tough draw’: Talented Wahawks end Centennial’s bid for crown

Wahawks top Centennial 25 years after Ankeny’s epic five-OT win against West

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Before they coached against each other on Monday at Wells Fargo Arena, girls' basketball coaches Scott DeJong of Ankeny Centennial and Dr. Anthony Pappas of Waterloo West had a few moments to reminisce. It was 25 years ago that the two coaches battled in an epic state tournament game at Veterans Memorial Auditorium, which was also known as "The … [Read more...] about Wahawks top Centennial 25 years after Ankeny’s epic five-OT win against West

‘We left it all out on the court’: Jaguars fall to hot-shooting Waterloo West, 67-59

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The Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team didn't go down without a fight. The third-ranked Jaguars made several runs in the second half but came up short against No. 6 Waterloo West, 67-59, in the quarterfinals of the Class 5A state tournament on Monday at Wells Fargo Arena. "I think we left it all out on the court," said Centennial senior Cleao … [Read more...] about ‘We left it all out on the court’: Jaguars fall to hot-shooting Waterloo West, 67-59

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Elle Street, Centennial girls’ basketball

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Senior guard Elle Street has helped the third-ranked Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team to a 20-3 record and a berth in this week's Class 5A state tournament at Wells Fargo Arena. The Jaguars advanced to state for the second year in a row with a 46-41 victory over visiting Sioux City East in a regional final on Wednesday. Street, who has committed … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Elle Street, Centennial girls’ basketball

State tourney preview: Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for the Class 5A quarterfinals

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A year ago, Waukee stormed to the Class 5A girls' basketball title in dominant fashion, winning its three games at Wells Fargo Arena by 23, 21 and 28 points. Now, another CIML school is poised to make some history as well. Top-ranked Johnston, which won the state championship in 2020 before losing a title-game rematch against Waukee last year, enters … [Read more...] about State tourney preview: Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for the Class 5A quarterfinals

‘It was a tough game’: Jaguars close out season with loss to Hoover, Henderson

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When the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team posted a 50-41 victory over Des Moines Hoover on Jan. 18, the Huskies played without their leading scorer, Chase Henderson. The junior guard showed on Friday just how valuable he is. Henderson poured in a game-high 23 points despite battling some foul trouble and the Huskies avenged that loss with a … [Read more...] about ‘It was a tough game’: Jaguars close out season with loss to Hoover, Henderson

Centennial’s Murray joins Ankeny’s Gage, Pitz on Class 5A West all-district team

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Ankeny Centennial senior Cleao Murray has been named to the Class 5A West all-district girls' basketball team along with Ankeny standouts Savannah Gage and Jenna Pitz. The teams were selected by the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association. Murray, a 5-foot-8 guard, has helped the Jaguars to a 20-3 record and a berth in next week's Class 5A state tournament at … [Read more...] about Centennial’s Murray joins Ankeny’s Gage, Pitz on Class 5A West all-district team

‘There’s nothing like it!’: Centennial girls are headed back to Wells Fargo Arena

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Ankeny Centennial's Cleao Murray stood at the charity stripe in the final seconds of Wednesday's game against visiting Sioux City East with a chance to send her team to the girls' state basketball tournament. She wasn't going to let this opportunity slip away. Murray made four straight free throws in the final 7.8 seconds and the third-ranked Jaguars … [Read more...] about ‘There’s nothing like it!’: Centennial girls are headed back to Wells Fargo Arena

Jaguars earn another trip to state; Ankeny falls to Roughriders on buzzer-beater

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The Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team is headed to Wells Fargo Arena for the second straight year. The Jaguars were nearly joined by crosstown rival Ankeny. Third-ranked Centennial held off No. 13 Sioux City East, 46-41, in a Class 5A regional final on Wednesday at Centennial. The Jaguars (20-3) advanced to the state tournament for the fourth … [Read more...] about Jaguars earn another trip to state; Ankeny falls to Roughriders on buzzer-beater

Doruska bowls 632 series, places 19th in Class 3A individual state tournament

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Ankeny's Aidan Doruska finished in 19th place in the Class 3A individual boys' state bowling tournament on Monday at Maple Lanes Bowling Center in Waterloo. Doruska rolled a three-game series of 632 in the preliminaries. After bowling a 183 in his first game, he improved to a 215 in his second game and to a 234 in his final game. "Aidan bowled amazing, … [Read more...] about Doruska bowls 632 series, places 19th in Class 3A individual state tournament

Centennial’s Helmkamp, Cahill close out careers as two-time state placewinners

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Ankeny Centennial coach Jay Groth has been blessed with some talented wrestlers in his nine years at the school. He'll now have to say goodbye to two of the best that he has coached. Seniors Carter Cahill and Jackson Helmkamp closed out their high school careers on Saturday at the consolation finals of the Class 3A state tournament at Wells Fargo … [Read more...] about Centennial’s Helmkamp, Cahill close out careers as two-time state placewinners

After their bus breaks down, Bobcats get thumped by Centennial in regional game

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Scott DeJong told his Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball players to be prepared for anything prior to Saturday's Class 5A regional semifinal against visiting Marshalltown. That turned out to be some good advice. The Bobcats arrived late for the game after their bus broke down on the way to Ankeny. The contest started about 30 minutes later than … [Read more...] about After their bus breaks down, Bobcats get thumped by Centennial in regional game

‘It was very disappointing’: Jaguars let lead slip away, fall in OT at Urbandale

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A second-half scoring drought proved to be costly for the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team in its regular-season finale on Friday at Urbandale. The J-Hawks rallied from a 27-15 halftime deficit to forge a 44-44 tie at the end of regulation, then outscored No. 10 Centennial in overtime, 11-7, to post a 55-51 victory in the non-conference … [Read more...] about ‘It was very disappointing’: Jaguars let lead slip away, fall in OT at Urbandale

Anderson earns shot at 3rd title; Hawks, Jaguars combine for 7 placewinners

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Trever Anderson is one win away from becoming the first three-time state wrestling champion in Ankeny High School history. The second-ranked Anderson defeated No. 3 Cale Seaton of Iowa City High, 3-1, in overtime in the 120-pound semifinals of the Class 3A state tournament on Friday night at Wells Fargo Arena. He got the winning takedown about 30 seconds … [Read more...] about Anderson earns shot at 3rd title; Hawks, Jaguars combine for 7 placewinners

Anderson moves closer to 3rd title; Bruhl, Helmkamp also advance to semifinals

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Two-time state champion Trever Anderson of Ankeny has advanced to the semifinals of the Class 3A state wrestling tournament along with the Ankeny Centennial duo of Lucas Bruhl and Jackson Helmkamp. The second-ranked Anderson posted a 15-4 major decision over No. 12 Braxten Westendorf of Waverly-Shell Rock in the quarterfinals at 120 pounds on Friday … [Read more...] about Anderson moves closer to 3rd title; Bruhl, Helmkamp also advance to semifinals