After scoring a combined 65 points in its previous two games, the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team nearly matched that total in just 32 minutes on Friday. The Jaguars placed four players in double figures and rolled to a 64-37 victory at Urbandale. "We needed a win before the break big time," said Centennial point guard Tyler Rodgers, who … [Read more...] about Jaguars snap out of shooting slump with victory at Urbandale
Boys' Basketball
Struggling Centennial boys fall to 2-5 overall with loss to Maroons
The shooting woes for the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team went from bad to worse on Tuesday night. The Jaguars shot just 25 percent from the field (9-of-36) and lost to visiting Dowling Catholic, 50-32, in a CIML Central Conference game. It was the fewest points ever scored by Centennial in its six-year history, and it came just four days after … [Read more...] about Struggling Centennial boys fall to 2-5 overall with loss to Maroons
Blimpie Sub of the Week: Caleb Van Meter, Centennial boys’ basketball
Caleb Van Meter is one of the top reserves on the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team. Van Meter, a junior guard, has helped Centennial to a 2-5 record. He is averaging 1.2 points and 1.2 rebounds per game. Van Meter scored four points and had two assists in the Jaguars' 62-45 victory over Southeast Polk in their season opener on Nov. 27. … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Caleb Van Meter, Centennial boys’ basketball
Jaguars score just 33 points in loss to Ames boys
It was almost a record-setting night for the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team. Unfortunately, it wasn't the kind of record that the Jaguars wanted to break. Centennial made just 13-of-41 shots (31.7 percent) and lost to visiting Ames, 42-33, in a CIML Central Conference game on Friday. The 33 points matched the fewest ever scored by the Jaguars … [Read more...] about Jaguars score just 33 points in loss to Ames boys
Strong bench effort helps Centennial boys to win over Roughriders
Micah Johnson sat on the bench as the final minutes ticked off the clock during Tuesday's boys' basketball game at Wells Fargo Arena. Johnson and the other Ankeny Centennial starters stood up and cheered as reserves Eugene Bukenya and Cade Macke each made a 3-point goal late in the game, helping the Jaguars to close out a 66-36 victory over host Des … [Read more...] about Strong bench effort helps Centennial boys to win over Roughriders
Hawks deliver early knockout punch, then hold off Centennial rally
When the Ankeny boys' basketball team is clicking on all cylinders, the Hawks are clearly one of the state's best teams. They proved that on Friday against crosstown rival Ankeny Centennial, jumping out to a 28-4 lead during the first half of the CIML Central Conference opener at Ankeny. But coach Brandt Carlson's team also showed that it still has … [Read more...] about Hawks deliver early knockout punch, then hold off Centennial rally
Jaguars’ rally falls short as Valley seals win at free-throw line
The Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team had no choice but to foul in the final minute of Tuesday's game against visiting Valley. Sending the Tigers to the charity stripe turned out to be a bad idea. Valley made 10 consecutive free throws in the final 38 seconds--six of them by Evan Obia and four by Will Berg--and pulled away for a 70-60 victory … [Read more...] about Jaguars’ rally falls short as Valley seals win at free-throw line
Hoover boys top Jaguars on Treadwell’s last-second 3-pointer
Des Moines Hoover's Hosea Treadwell pulled up at the top of the key and lofted a shot over the outstretched arm of Ankeny Centennial defender Cody McCullough. Swish. Treadwell made a 3-point goal with 1 second left to give the Huskies a 42-39 victory in a CIML boys' basketball game on Friday at Hoover. "I got my left hand up," said McCullough. "It … [Read more...] about Hoover boys top Jaguars on Treadwell’s last-second 3-pointer
Jaguars roll to season-opening win with ‘total team effort’
After losing its last two season openers, the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team was determined to get off on the right foot. Thanks to a crucial 6-minute stretch, the Jaguars accomplished their goal. Centennial overcame an early deficit and then pulled away to defeat visiting Southeast Polk, 62-45, in its season opener on Tuesday. The Jaguars led … [Read more...] about Jaguars roll to season-opening win with ‘total team effort’
Centennial boys boast tall front line, inexperienced backcourt
The Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team appears to be loaded with frontline players. The Jaguars could be a little thin in the backcourt, though, following the graduation of all-state guard Hunter Strait, who is now playing a key role as a freshman at Truman State. "Our returning players that played the most are all frontline players, so I would … [Read more...] about Centennial boys boast tall front line, inexperienced backcourt
Inaugural Athletic Boosters Cake Auction slated for Jan. 11
The inaugural Ankeny Athletic Boosters Cake Auction will be held on Friday, Jan. 11 during the Ankeny vs. Ankeny Centennial girls' and boys' basketball doubleheader. This exciting event will be a fundraiser for the Booster Club to support both athletic programs. Sweet cake sponsorships are being offered for $250. The boosters will arrange to have a cake … [Read more...] about Inaugural Athletic Boosters Cake Auction slated for Jan. 11
After coach departs, Kasperbauer leaves Truman State for Kirkwood
When Hunter Strait signed a letter of intent to play for Truman State, the Ankeny Centennial point guard thought he was going to be reunited on the basketball court with former teammate Connor Kasperbauer. Now, the reunion appears to be off. Kasperbauer has decided to transfer to Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids. His departure came after … [Read more...] about After coach departs, Kasperbauer leaves Truman State for Kirkwood
Strait earns third-team all-state honors from IPSWA
If the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team needed a basket, coach Bob Fontana usually put the ball in Hunter Strait's hands. If Fontana wanted to get one of the other Jaguars going offensively, he would rely on his senior point guard to deliver an assist. Strait's ability to score and to distribute the ball has been recognized by the Iowa Print … [Read more...] about Strait earns third-team all-state honors from IPSWA
Strait, Carlson earn all-CIML honors from Ankeny Fanatic
Last week, Ankeny Fanatic unveiled its all-CIML girls' basketball teams. Now, it's the boys' turn. Once again, the goal was to select the top 10 players in the 18-team conference--five for the first team and five for the second. But it turned out to be an incredibly difficult task. There is just so much talent this year in the CIML. Take a look at the … [Read more...] about Strait, Carlson earn all-CIML honors from Ankeny Fanatic
Blimpie Sub of the Week: Lathan Brandt, Ankeny Centennial boys’ basketball
Lathan Brandt of the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team is the Ankeny Fanatic Sub of the Week sponsored by Blimpie. The junior forward was a valuable reserve for the Jaguars, helping the team to a 14-9 record. He averaged 3.5 points and 2.7 rebounds per game. Brandt scored a career-high 14 points in Centennial's 62-55 victory over Waukee on Jan. … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Lathan Brandt, Ankeny Centennial boys’ basketball
Another heartbreaking loss to Valley ends Jaguars’ postseason run
It shouldn't surprise anyone that Friday's Class 4A substate semifinal between the Ankeny Centennial and Valley boys' basketball teams came down to the last possession. Whenever these two CIML Central Conference rivals collide, the game often is decided in the final seconds. On Friday, second-seeded Valley escaped with a 48-46 victory in overtime when … [Read more...] about Another heartbreaking loss to Valley ends Jaguars’ postseason run
Huge road tests await Ankeny, Centennial boys
The Ankeny boys' basketball team will face a familiar opponent in a Class 4A substate semifinal on Friday. So will crosstown rival Ankeny Centennial. The fifth-seeded Hawks (8-14) will travel to Des Moines North to play the top-seeded Polar Bears (19-3) at 7 p.m. The two teams are meeting in the postseason for the third consecutive year. The … [Read more...] about Huge road tests await Ankeny, Centennial boys
Preview of Ankeny Centennial at Valley substate showdown
Ankeny Fanatic's Jared Stansbury and Dan Holm discuss Ankeny Centennial's win over Des Moines Lincoln and the Jaguars' upcoming matchup at Valley. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VqRieV560ms … [Read more...] about Preview of Ankeny Centennial at Valley substate showdown
Jaguars survive dogfight against Lincoln, advance to substate semifinal
Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball coach Bob Fontana was hoping that his players learned a valuable lesson on Friday night. Monday's game against the same opponent showed that the Jaguars possibly didn't get the message. Three days after Centennial let up in the second half of a 66-52 victory over Des Moines Lincoln in its regular-season finale, the … [Read more...] about Jaguars survive dogfight against Lincoln, advance to substate semifinal
Jaguars roll past Lincoln in preview of substate opener
The Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team didn't want to end the regular season with a four-game losing streak. Mission accomplished. The Jaguars jumped out to a 33-8 halftime lead and cruised to a 66-52 victory over visiting Des Moines Lincoln in a CIML non-conference game on Friday. The win snapped a three-game skid for Centennial, which improved … [Read more...] about Jaguars roll past Lincoln in preview of substate opener