The third-ranked Waukee boys' basketball team showed on Tuesday why the Warriors will probably win the CIML Conference title. The host Warriors overcame a 14-point deficit in the second quarter to beat No. 5 Ankeny Centennial, 70-56, for the second time this season. They improved to 11-1 in the league and 11-4 overall, while the Jaguars' records dropped … [Read more...] about No. 3 Warriors rally past Centennial boys, close in on CIML Conference crown
Boys' Basketball
Centennial boys rout Waterloo West for most lopsided victory in school history
The outcome of Saturday's non-conference boys' basketball game at Ankeny Centennial was decided shortly after the contest began. The sixth-ranked Jaguars jumped out to a 30-8 lead in the first quarter, built a 53-10 halftime advantage and rolled to an 87-25 victory over visiting Waterloo West. It was the most lopsided win in school history, eclipsing … [Read more...] about Centennial boys rout Waterloo West for most lopsided victory in school history
Winkel scores career-high 34, outduels Uecker in Jaguars’ win over Urbandale
Two of the top boys' basketball scorers in the CIML Conference collided on Thursday at Ankeny Centennial. The matchup proved to be highly entertaining. Luke Winkel scored a career-high 34 points to lead the sixth-ranked Jaguars to a 73-64 win over visiting Urbandale, which got 31 points from Grant Uecker in a losing effort. "Give some credit to … [Read more...] about Winkel scores career-high 34, outduels Uecker in Jaguars’ win over Urbandale
Jirak, Robinson ignite late rally, lead No. 2 Valley boys to 60-59 win over Centennial
Even without Curtis Stinson Jr., the Valley boys' basketball team is still one of the state's most talented squads. The second-ranked Tigers got 19 points from Trevin Jirak and 16 more from Zay Robinson to beat No. 6 Ankeny Centennial, 60-59, in a CIML Conference game on Tuesday at Valley. Stinson, who averages nearly 20 points per game, has not played … [Read more...] about Jirak, Robinson ignite late rally, lead No. 2 Valley boys to 60-59 win over Centennial
Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Chase Schutty, Centennial boys’ hoops
Senior forward Chase Schutty has helped the eighth-ranked Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team to an 8-2 record. He scored three points and grabbed 15 rebounds in the Jaguars' 64-55 victory at Southeast Polk on Friday. Schutty is averaging 8.4 points and a team-high 9.2 rebounds per game. He also leads the Jaguars with 10 blocks. Here is some inside … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Chase Schutty, Centennial boys’ hoops
Centennial boys use late run to beat S.E. Polk, move into 2nd place in conference
For the second time in four days, the Ankeny Centennial boys' team didn't play its best basketball but still managed to pull out a road victory. The eighth-ranked Jaguars closed out the game with a 15-3 run to post a 64-55 win at Southeast Polk on Friday. "Just like Tuesday night (at Waukee Northwest), we were like a rollercoaster at times," said … [Read more...] about Centennial boys use late run to beat S.E. Polk, move into 2nd place in conference
‘We were good at the right time’: Jaguars use late run to beat NW for first time ever
It wasn't pretty, but the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team finally earned its first victory against Waukee Northwest on Tuesday. There were seven ties and six lead changes before the eighth-ranked Jaguars pulled away down the stretch for a 57-53 win at Northwest. They broke away from a 49-49 tie with an 8-4 run over the final 2 minutes 57 … [Read more...] about ‘We were good at the right time’: Jaguars use late run to beat NW for first time ever
Centennial boys make 13 3-point goals, cruise to 75-38 win at Des Moines Hoover
The Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team connected on 13-of-23 attempts from 3-point range and rolled to a 75-38 victory at Des Moines Hoover in a non-conference game on Thursday. Nick Vaske made four treys and finished with a season-high 17 points as the Jaguars raised their overall record to 6-2. Hoover dropped to 1-5. "We all shot it really … [Read more...] about Centennial boys make 13 3-point goals, cruise to 75-38 win at Des Moines Hoover
Central Bank Athlete of the Month: Luke Winkel, Ankeny Centennial senior
The standout point guard scores seven of his 30 points in a late run to lift the Jaguars to a 64-52 win over crosstown rival Ankeny. … [Read more...] about Central Bank Athlete of the Month: Luke Winkel, Ankeny Centennial senior
No. 1 Waukee boys stay unbeaten in CIML Conference with win at Centennial
A week ago, the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team made a statement with a victory over defending Class 4A state champion Valley. On Friday at Centennial, another CIML Conference contender made a statement of its own. Top-ranked Waukee pulled away in the second half for a 70-51 win, holding the Jaguars to their lowest point total of the season. … [Read more...] about No. 1 Waukee boys stay unbeaten in CIML Conference with win at Centennial
‘We played really connected’: Red-hot Winkel, Centennial boys crush Johnston
There was no letdown for Luke Winkel and the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team. Coming off a win Friday against defending Class 4A state champion Valley, the Jaguars got a career-high 32 points from Winkel and rolled to a 76-49 victory at Johnston on Tuesday. "We definitely couldn't get too comfortable because Johnston's a really good team, and … [Read more...] about ‘We played really connected’: Red-hot Winkel, Centennial boys crush Johnston
‘We can definitely be a contender’: Jags shut down defending 4A state champs
Most December high school basketball games don't carry a lot of significance. That wasn't the case on Friday for the Ankeny Centennial boys' squad. The Jaguars needed to protect their home court in the rugged CIML Conference, and they also had a chance to make a statement with a victory over preseason No. 1 Valley. Centennial delivered on both … [Read more...] about ‘We can definitely be a contender’: Jags shut down defending 4A state champs
‘We set the tone right off the bat’: Jaguars build big lead, roll past Iowa City Liberty
Coming off a tough loss on Friday at Dowling Catholic, the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team got off to a fast start on Tuesday and never looked back. The Jaguars jumped out to a 22-5 lead in the first quarter against visiting Iowa City Liberty, built a 45-17 halftime advantage and rolled to a 70-48 victory in a non-conference game. "I thought we … [Read more...] about ‘We set the tone right off the bat’: Jaguars build big lead, roll past Iowa City Liberty
‘They took the fight to us and we just didn’t respond’: Dowling boys top Jaguars
(Story by Gabe Ploeger) The Dowling Catholic boys' basketball team got off to a hot start Friday and never cooled off. The Maroons made 5-of-8 3-point shots in the first quarter and went on to beat visiting Ankeny Centennial, 79-64, in a CIML Conference game. Both teams are now 1-1 in the league and overall. “Down 33 to 11 in the first half…we just … [Read more...] about ‘They took the fight to us and we just didn’t respond’: Dowling boys top Jaguars
‘It was a good road win’: Centennial boys top Urbandale on Fontana’s birthday
Bob Fontana celebrated his birthday on Tuesday with a season-opening victory. His Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team jumped out to an early lead and led all the way in a 64-51 win at Urbandale in a CIML Conference game. "It was a good road win and a good way to start the season," said Fontana. "You never know what to expect the first game. You're … [Read more...] about ‘It was a good road win’: Centennial boys top Urbandale on Fontana’s birthday
Jaguars return 3 starters from state tourney team, led by all-stater Winkel
On paper, the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team returns some of the key players from last year's squad that posted a 16-8 record and qualified for the Class 4A state tournament. Centennial coach Bob Fontana knows, however, that another successful season is not guaranteed. "We do have a nucleus to build around and having experience can be … [Read more...] about Jaguars return 3 starters from state tourney team, led by all-stater Winkel
Centennial point guard Winkel to play basketball next year at St. Cloud State
Ankeny Centennial basketball standout Luke Winkel has made his college plans. The senior point guard announced on social media Monday that he will continue his career at St. Cloud State, an NCAA Division II program and a member of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. "Throughout the recruiting process, I met a lot of great people and had nice … [Read more...] about Centennial point guard Winkel to play basketball next year at St. Cloud State
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Nick Vaske, Ankeny Centennial boys’ hoops
Junior guard Nick Vaske helped the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team to a 16-8 record this season. He made 3-of-4 attempts from 3-point range and scored 10 points in the Jaguars' 55-37 loss to Waukee Northwest in the Class 4A quarterfinals on Wednesday at Wells Fargo Arena. Vaske started all 24 games, averaging 9.1 points and 4.5 rebounds. He shot … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Nick Vaske, Ankeny Centennial boys’ hoops
Cold shooting, foul trouble prove costly for Jaguars in loss to No. 3 Waukee NW
Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball coach Bob Fontana tried to look on the bright side Wednesday following his team's season-ending loss at Wells Fargo Arena. "We can be sad that we didn't win today, but let's be dang glad that it happened because you'd much rather have your season end here than before you get here," said Fontana. "This is a resilient … [Read more...] about Cold shooting, foul trouble prove costly for Jaguars in loss to No. 3 Waukee NW
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 216
In the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by Coldwell Banker Mid-America, publisher Dan Holm breaks down the Class 4A quarterfinals of the boys' state basketball tournament with coach Bob Fontana of Ankeny Centennial and previews the rest of the tournament. … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 216