Ankeny Fanatic

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Boys' Basketball

Centennial boys use late run to beat S.E. Polk, move into 2nd place in conference

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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

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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

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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

No. 1 Waukee boys stay unbeaten in CIML Conference with win at Centennial

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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

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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

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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

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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

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(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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

CLASS 4A QUARTERFINAL: Waukee Northwest 55, Ankeny Centennial 37

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The third time was not a charm for the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team. After losing twice to third-ranked Waukee Northwest during the regular season, the No. 10 Jaguars dropped a 55-37 decision to their CIML Conference rival in a Class 4A quarterfinal on Wednesday at Wells Fargo Arena. The Wolves (22-2) had won the first two meetings by scores of … [Read more...] about CLASS 4A QUARTERFINAL: Waukee Northwest 55, Ankeny Centennial 37

Boys’ state preview: Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for the Class 4A quarterfinals

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Last week, top-ranked Pleasant Valley capped off an undefeated season by winning the girls' Class 5A state basketball title. Now, the No. 1 Cedar Rapids Kennedy boys' team will try to accomplish the same feat. The Class 4A tournament gets under way Wednesday at Wells Fargo Arena. Whichever team cuts down the nets on Friday night will have to win three … [Read more...] about Boys’ state preview: Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for the Class 4A quarterfinals

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Drew Schreurs, Ankeny Centennial boys’ hoops

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Senior guard Drew Schreurs has helped the 10th-ranked Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team to a 16-7 record. He scored seven points and grabbed three rebounds to help his team to a 54-47 win over No. 8 Cedar Falls in a Class 4A substate final on Tuesday at Marshalltown, allowing the Jaguars to advance to the state tournament for the second time in school … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Drew Schreurs, Ankeny Centennial boys’ hoops

Centennial’s Bryan among 23 players named to IBCA academic all-state team

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Ankeny Centennial senior forward Evan Bryan has been named to the academic all-state team by the Iowa Basketball Coaches Association. He was one of 23 players selected to the squad by a panel from more than 120 applicants. Bryan has averaged 10.5 points and 4.0 rebounds per game while helping the 10th-ranked Jaguars to a 16-7 record. He is shooting a … [Read more...] about Centennial’s Bryan among 23 players named to IBCA academic all-state team