Ankeny Fanatic

Your Ankeny Sports Resource

Boys' Basketball

Mitchell posts double-double, Prill scores career-high 11 in Centennial boys’ victory

by

Luke Mitchell had a double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team to a 63-37 victory over visiting Fort Dodge in a non-conference game on Saturday. The Jaguars rebounded from Friday's loss at Johnston by a similar score to raise their overall record to 3-6. It was the eighth straight loss for Fort Dodge, … [Read more...] about Mitchell posts double-double, Prill scores career-high 11 in Centennial boys’ victory

‘Just unfortunate how that game went’: Johnston boys cruise past Jaguars, 66-35

by

(Story by Stephen McDaniel) Physicality and scrappiness have been two of the key ingredients for the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team this season. But the Jaguars just couldn’t find their groove on either end of the court during their road trip to Johnston on Friday, and the Dragons made them pay for it as Centennial suffered a 66-35 … [Read more...] about ‘Just unfortunate how that game went’: Johnston boys cruise past Jaguars, 66-35

Runchey extends free-throw streak to 32, scores career-high 20 in win at S.E. Polk

by

The Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team was clinging to a 17-16 lead late in the first half of Tuesday's game at Southeast Polk when the Rams' bench was called for a technical foul. There was no question which player Centennial coach Matt Delger would ask to shoot the free throws. Junior guard Hunter Runchey made both of the ensuing attempts and … [Read more...] about Runchey extends free-throw streak to 32, scores career-high 20 in win at S.E. Polk

‘We played right with them’: Centennial boys drop 54-46 decision to No. 6 Waukee

by

(Story by Stephen McDaniel) There was nothing the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team would’ve loved more than opening 2026 with a big upset victory. But despite a blazing hot start to the game, the Jaguars eventually fell behind in the second half and suffered a 54-46 loss to sixth-ranked Waukee on Friday night at Centennial. “We came out of … [Read more...] about ‘We played right with them’: Centennial boys drop 54-46 decision to No. 6 Waukee

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Kolby Bechen, Centennial boys’ basketball

by

Senior guard Kolby Bechen has helped the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team to a 1-4 record. He is averaging 3.8 points per game and leads the squad with 10 assists. Bechen scored six points on 2-of-5 shooting from 3-point range as the Jaguars posted a 63-45 win over visiting Valley on Dec. 19 for their first victory of the season. He also grabbed … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Kolby Bechen, Centennial boys’ basketball

‘It feels so good!’: Jaguars pull away in 2nd half, defeat Valley for first win of season

by

(Story by Stephen McDaniel) With about 50 seconds left in Friday’s game against visiting Valley, Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball coach Matt Delger walked in front of his bench with a wide grin on his face and asked the reserves that don’t get much playing time if they wanted to close out the final minute. Delger’s smile quickly spread up and down … [Read more...] about ‘It feels so good!’: Jaguars pull away in 2nd half, defeat Valley for first win of season

‘It just didn’t go for us’: Jaguars’ rally falls short when late 3-pointer bounces off rim

by

The Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team fought an uphill battle on Friday night. The Jaguars nearly climbed out of an 11-point hole at Urbandale before their rally fell short, resulting in a 42-39 loss to the J-Hawks. Centennial had a chance to force overtime in the final seconds, but a deep 3-pointer by Keaton Kasperbauer bounced off the rim as … [Read more...] about ‘It just didn’t go for us’: Jaguars’ rally falls short when late 3-pointer bounces off rim

‘We’re darn close’: Jaguars battle Dowling down to wire before suffering 46-42 loss

by

(Story by Stephen McDaniel) For the second straight game, the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team took a halftime lead and was just 16 minutes away from its first victory of the season. The Jaguars were still tied with under a minute left in Tuesday's game, but visiting Dowling Catholic made the plays down the stretch to escape with a 46-42 win on … [Read more...] about ‘We’re darn close’: Jaguars battle Dowling down to wire before suffering 46-42 loss

‘Our mentality is to keep getting better’: Jaguars open their season with 64-21 loss

by

(Story by Stephen McDaniel) The Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team knows that each night is going to be a battle in a loaded CIML Conference. And the Jaguars opened their season with potentially one of their hardest fights of the entire year. New head coach Matt Delger and the Jaguars went on the road Tuesday to face Class 4A title-contending … [Read more...] about ‘Our mentality is to keep getting better’: Jaguars open their season with 64-21 loss

‘We know every night will be a battle’: Delger, Jags ready for grueling schedule

by

Matt Delger spent the last decade preparing for an opportunity that has now arrived. The longtime assistant coach under Bob Fontana has taken over the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball program. He was Fontana's top assistant the last three years after coaching the sophomore team for the previous eight. "The transition has been easy," said Delger. "I … [Read more...] about ‘We know every night will be a battle’: Delger, Jags ready for grueling schedule

‘You want to get the best of the best’: Jags hire Delger, Harken to coach hoops teams

by

Ankeny Centennial Activities Director Nate Lingren didn't have to look very far to find replacements for legendary basketball coaches Scott DeJong and Bob Fontana. Both of the Jaguars' new coaches were already in the building. Matt Delger, Fontana's former assistant, has been hired to take over the boys' program. He was introduced on Wednesday. "I … [Read more...] about ‘You want to get the best of the best’: Jags hire Delger, Harken to coach hoops teams

Centennial guard Jensen commits to play basketball next year at Wartburg College

by

Ankeny Centennial senior guard Rex Jensen has committed to play basketball for Wartburg College next year. Jensen announced his decision on social media last week. "Blessed to announce I will be continuing my academic and basketball career at Wartburg College!" Jensen tweeted on X. Jensen helped the Jaguars to a 5-17 record this season. He started … [Read more...] about Centennial guard Jensen commits to play basketball next year at Wartburg College

‘I need to catch my breath’: Fontana steps down from Jags’ program after 12 years

by

The only head coach in Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball history has stepped down from the program. Bob Fontana has resigned from his position after guiding the Jaguars to a 173-101 record over the last 12 seasons. "Not many coaches can say they got to come home and start a new program in a new school," said Fontana, who compiled a 474-299 mark … [Read more...] about ‘I need to catch my breath’: Fontana steps down from Jags’ program after 12 years

‘They just kept battling’: Jaguars finish 5-17 season with 78-44 loss at No. 4 NW

by

The Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team didn't go down without a fight. The Jaguars put a scare into fourth-ranked Waukee Northwest before the host Wolves pulled away in the second half for a 78-44 victory in a Class 4A substate semifinal on Friday. "Our kids were playing hard and playing fearless," said Centennial coach Bob Fontana. "It was tied … [Read more...] about ‘They just kept battling’: Jaguars finish 5-17 season with 78-44 loss at No. 4 NW

Jaguars overcome slow start to rout S.C. North, will face No. 4 Waukee NW Friday

by

The Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team is guaranteed to finish the season with a losing record. But that doesn't mean that the Jaguars can't make some noise in the postseason. Centennial kept its season alive on Monday by rolling to a 78-47 victory at Sioux City North in a Class 4A substate quarterfinal. The Jaguars were one of three teams from … [Read more...] about Jaguars overcome slow start to rout S.C. North, will face No. 4 Waukee NW Friday

‘We knew it was going to be a dogfight’: Jaguars fall to S.E. Polk in season finale

by

It's time for the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team to put the regular season in the rear-view mirror. "The records don't matter in the postseason," said Centennial senior Sean Tunks. The Jaguars closed out the regular season on Thursday with a 53-49 loss to visiting Southeast Polk. It was a matchup of two squads trying to avoid finishing in the … [Read more...] about ‘We knew it was going to be a dogfight’: Jaguars fall to S.E. Polk in season finale