With less than 2 minutes left in Friday's game, Waukee forward Nathan Johnson leaped high in the air for an alley-oop near the basket. Johnson was unable to corral the pass, which was tipped by an Ankeny Centennial defender. But the ball went in the hoop anyway. It was that kind of night for the Jaguars. Waukee used an 11-0 run in the third quarter … [Read more...] about Cold-shooting Jaguars tumble to Waukee in battle for league crown
Boys' Basketball
Hawks to visit Ames, Jaguars to host Lincoln in substate play
The Ankeny boys' basketball team was expecting to head north for its postseason opener later this month. It turns out that the Hawks won't have to go as far up I-35 as they thought. Fifth-seeded Ankeny will play at fourth-seeded Ames in a Class 4A Substate 8 quarterfinal on Feb. 19 at 7 p.m. The Little Cyclones (7-11) are currently on a … [Read more...] about Hawks to visit Ames, Jaguars to host Lincoln in substate play
Centennial boys, girls to play at Waukee for Central Conference crowns
A pair of championships will be at stake on Friday night at the Waukee Fieldhouse. Waukee will host a basketball doubleheader against Ankeny Centennial, beginning with the girls' game at 6:15 p.m. The winner of both contests will capture the CIML Central Conference title. "I think it's important that we win the conference because it will build our … [Read more...] about Centennial boys, girls to play at Waukee for Central Conference crowns
Loss at Fort Dodge could cost Jaguars No. 2 seed in substate tourney
Tuesday's loss at Fort Dodge could have some costly ramifications for the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team. The Jaguars suffered a 50-37 loss that ended their two-game winning streak and dropped their record to 12-6 on the season. The outcome could have an effect on the seedings for the Class 4A Substate 7 tournament, which will be determined on … [Read more...] about Loss at Fort Dodge could cost Jaguars No. 2 seed in substate tourney
STRAIT SHOOTER: Senior guard surpasses 1,000-point mark, leads Jaguars past Ames
Ankeny Centennial's Hunter Strait entered Friday's game at Ames in search of a milestone. He left the gym with a much-needed victory as well. Strait scored 22 points to surpass the 1,000-point career mark and the Centennial boys' basketball team rallied in the second half to post a 59-51 victory over the Little Cyclones. "Hitting 1,000 points has … [Read more...] about STRAIT SHOOTER: Senior guard surpasses 1,000-point mark, leads Jaguars past Ames
Centennial’s Strait closing in on 1,000-point milestone
Ankeny Centennial basketball standout Hunter Strait is closing in on a huge accomplishment. The senior guard needs four more points to reach the 1,000-point career mark. He will likely achieve the milestone during Friday's game at Ames. Strait is averaging a team-high 16.9 points per game for the Jaguars. The Truman State recruit has scored 270 points … [Read more...] about Centennial’s Strait closing in on 1,000-point milestone
Centennial boys hit 10 3-pointers, roll to victory over winless Scarlets
The Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball players were anxious to put Friday's loss to Ankeny behind them. The Jaguars found a good opponent in Des Moines East to do just that. Centennial jumped out to an early 10-0 lead, built a 19-point halftime advantage and rolled to a 77-33 victory over the visiting Scarlets in a CIML non-conference game on … [Read more...] about Centennial boys hit 10 3-pointers, roll to victory over winless Scarlets
Jaguars overcome bus trouble, slow start to defeat Mason City
It took the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team a little longer than expected to make its trip to Mason City on Tuesday. "There was something wrong with the bus, and we had to pull off the road on the way up there," said Centennial coach Bob Fontana. "We didn't get there until there was 4 minutes left in the first half of the girls' game." It also … [Read more...] about Jaguars overcome bus trouble, slow start to defeat Mason City
Williams, Valley boys halt Jaguars’ winning streak
Trayvon Williams showed why he was the Class 4A runner-up in the high jump last spring. The Valley junior leaped high to block a potential game-winning shot by Hunter Strait in the final seconds of Friday's boys' basketball game at Ankeny Centennial, allowing the Tigers to escape with a 43-41 victory. "Their length and athleticism gave us some … [Read more...] about Williams, Valley boys halt Jaguars’ winning streak
Red-hot Jaguars top Roosevelt, post their ninth victory in the last 10 games
The Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team overcame a slow start to defeat visiting Des Moines Roosevelt, 53-44, in a CIML non-conference game on Tuesday. The Jaguars battled back from an early 16-12 deficit to extend their winning streak to six games. They won for the ninth time in their last 10 contests while raising their record to 9-3 … [Read more...] about Red-hot Jaguars top Roosevelt, post their ninth victory in the last 10 games
Centennial boys top Warriors, take sole possession of league lead
Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball coach Bob Fontana would rather qualify for the state tournament than win a conference title. If his team continues to play like it did on Friday night, the Jaguars just might be able to accomplish both of those things. Centennial relied on a balanced scoring attack and a stingy defense to beat visiting Waukee, 62-55, … [Read more...] about Centennial boys top Warriors, take sole possession of league lead
Truman State coach watches Strait, Centennial boys roll past Rams
Hunter Strait picked a good time to have one of his best games of the season. The senior point guard had 21 points, five rebounds and two steals to lead the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team to a 61-33 victory over host Southeast Polk on Tuesday. Afterwards, Strait received a visit from Truman State head coach Chris Foster, his future college … [Read more...] about Truman State coach watches Strait, Centennial boys roll past Rams
Strait leads Centennial boys to win over Little Cyclones
Hunter Strait appears to have his confidence back. The senior point guard scored 20 points to lead the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team to a 50-38 victory over visiting Ames on Friday. He made a pair of 3-point goals and went 8-for-10 at the free-throw line. Strait also had five rebounds, two assists and four steals as the Jaguars improved to … [Read more...] about Strait leads Centennial boys to win over Little Cyclones
Blimpie Sub of the Week: Brandon Van Meter, Ankeny Centennial boys’ basketball
Senior guard Brandon Van Meter of the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team is the Ankeny Fanatic Sub of the Week sponsored by Blimpie. Van Meter has helped the Jaguars to a 5-3 record this season, including wins in five of their last six games. He is averaging 3.1 points per game and ranks second on the team with 15 assists. The Jaguars will host … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Brandon Van Meter, Ankeny Centennial boys’ basketball
Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Jackson Brannan, Ankeny Centennial boys’ basketball
Jackson Brannan is the Ankeny Fanatic prep of the week sponsored by Revive Clinic and Spa. The senior guard has helped the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team to a 5-3 record. Brannan is averaging 4.3 points and 2.4 rebounds per game. He ranks second on the team with 10 steals and is tied for third on the squad with 11 assists. Here is some inside … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Jackson Brannan, Ankeny Centennial boys’ basketball
Veteran Jaguars hold off young Hawks’ upset bid
Bob Fontana wasn't fooled by the Ankeny boys' basketball team's 1-6 record. The Ankeny Centennial head coach knew that his Jaguars were in for a dogfight when they traveled across town to face the Hawks on Dec. 21. "I knew we were going to be in for a battle with (Dillon Carlson) back--he's a nice player," Fontana said of the junior guard who was … [Read more...] about Veteran Jaguars hold off young Hawks’ upset bid