Ankeny Fanatic

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Boys' Basketball

Jaguars’ rally falls short as Valley seals win at free-throw line

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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

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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’

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

Jaguars survive dogfight against Lincoln, advance to substate semifinal

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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

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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

Hot-shooting Johnston hands Jaguars their 3rd straight loss

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  The Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team appears to have solved some of its recent offensive woes. Now, the Jaguars may have to focus on the defensive end of the court. Johnston made 11 3-point goals in the first three quarters and went on to post a 68-57 victory in a CIML non-conference game on Tuesday, handing the visiting Jaguars … [Read more...] about Hot-shooting Johnston hands Jaguars their 3rd straight loss

Cold-shooting Jaguars tumble to Waukee in battle for league crown

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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

Hawks to visit Ames, Jaguars to host Lincoln in substate play

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  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

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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

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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

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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