Ankeny Fanatic

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Boys' Basketball

No. 1 Wolves win showdown against Centennial boys behind Sandfort’s 28

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Iowa's Payton Sandfort is going through a dreadful shooting slump, having missed all 19 of his attempts from the field in the Hawkeyes' three Big Ten Conference games. His brother, Pryce, is not having any problems finding the basket. The younger Sandfort, who will also play for Iowa next year, poured in 28 points to lead the top-ranked Waukee … [Read more...] about No. 1 Wolves win showdown against Centennial boys behind Sandfort’s 28

IN THE ZONE: Winkel scores career-high 30, leads No. 4 Jaguars past Ankeny boys

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It's been a dream season thus far for Luke Winkel and the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team. On Tuesday night, it only got better. Winkel poured in a career-high 30 points and the fourth-ranked Jaguars pulled away in the second half for a 65-46 victory at Ankeny. The win allowed Centennial to take a 10-9 lead in the all-time series and avenged … [Read more...] about IN THE ZONE: Winkel scores career-high 30, leads No. 4 Jaguars past Ankeny boys

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Luke Winkel, Centennial boys’ basketball

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Junior guard Luke Winkel has helped the third-ranked Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team to a 5-1 record, including a 4-1 mark in the CIML Conference. He scored nine points on Friday as the Jaguars suffered their first loss of the season at No. 4 Waukee, where they nearly overcame an 18-point deficit before dropping a 55-52 decision. Winkel is … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Luke Winkel, Centennial boys’ basketball

‘It was a great team effort’: Jaguars nearly pull off miraculous rally at No. 4 Waukee

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The Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball players walked off the court Friday with their heads held high. The third-ranked Jaguars suffered their first loss of the season, but nearly pulled off a miraculous comeback at No. 4 Waukee. After trailing by as many as 18 points, Centennial twice closed to within two points in the fourth quarter before the … [Read more...] about ‘It was a great team effort’: Jaguars nearly pull off miraculous rally at No. 4 Waukee

‘We just found a way’: Centennial boys survive double OT thriller vs. Johnston

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Bob Fontana exhaled in his office after his Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team survived a double-overtime thriller. "It was definitely a war," Fontana said after the third-ranked Jaguars escaped with a 63-60 victory over visiting Johnston on Tuesday. "Look at how close last Friday's game (at Valley) was--it was tied with a minute to go. Tonight, it … [Read more...] about ‘We just found a way’: Centennial boys survive double OT thriller vs. Johnston

Jaguars hold Ames scoreless in 2nd quarter, stay unbeaten with road victory

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During the preseason, Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball coach Bob Fontana said that his team needed to defend better than it did a year ago. The Jaguars received his message. On Saturday, Centennial traveled to Ames for a non-conference game and used a strong defensive effort to post a 46-34 victory over the Little Cyclones. The Jaguars held the … [Read more...] about Jaguars hold Ames scoreless in 2nd quarter, stay unbeaten with road victory

‘We really wanted it’: Winkel, Centennial boys hold off Tigers for huge road victory

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Luke Winkel and the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team are making some noise. Winkel made four straight free throws down the stretch and the Jaguars held on for a 56-51 victory on Friday at Valley to remain unbeaten. "I really just wanted to close the game out for the team," said Winkel, who led Centennial with 19 points and four assists. "That's … [Read more...] about ‘We really wanted it’: Winkel, Centennial boys hold off Tigers for huge road victory

‘We just all got on a roll’: Hot-shooting Jaguars romp past Dowling Catholic

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There appears to be a lot of interchangeable parts on the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team. On Friday night, those parts were clicking on all cylinders. The Jaguars made 12-of-23 attempts from 3-point range and rolled to a 78-41 victory over visiting Dowling Catholic in a CIML Conference game. It was Centennial's most lopsided win since an 89-47 … [Read more...] about ‘We just all got on a roll’: Hot-shooting Jaguars romp past Dowling Catholic

Centennial boys convert 16-of-21 free throws, hang on to beat Urbandale

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After building a 46-32 lead at the end of three quarters, the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team appeared to be on its way to a comfortable victory in its season opener on Tuesday. But Urbandale refused to go away in the CIML Conference contest. The visiting J-Hawks opened the final period with a 17-6 run and closed the gap to 52-49 with 1 minute … [Read more...] about Centennial boys convert 16-of-21 free throws, hang on to beat Urbandale

With 13 players battling for playing time, Jaguars to rely on depth, chemistry

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There is no shortage of players battling for playing time on the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team. The Jaguars return four key players from last year's squad that posted a 12-10 record, but nine other players are also in the mix to earn spots in the team's rotation. "We have 13 guys that will compete for playing time, so those who 'bring it' … [Read more...] about With 13 players battling for playing time, Jaguars to rely on depth, chemistry

Ex-Centennial point guard Crews to play basketball at DMACC (Boone)

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Former Ankeny Centennial basketball star Jaron Crews is headed back to central Iowa. After spending a year at Don Bosco Prep in Crown Point, Ind., Crews has committed to play for DMACC (Boone) next season. "It was between DMACC and Kirkwood," said Crews, who announced his decision via Twitter on Sunday. "I took visits and worked out at both (schools) … [Read more...] about Ex-Centennial point guard Crews to play basketball at DMACC (Boone)

‘It was a tough game’: Jaguars close out season with loss to Hoover, Henderson

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When the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team posted a 50-41 victory over Des Moines Hoover on Jan. 18, the Huskies played without their leading scorer, Chase Henderson. The junior guard showed on Friday just how valuable he is. Henderson poured in a game-high 23 points despite battling some foul trouble and the Huskies avenged that loss with a … [Read more...] about ‘It was a tough game’: Jaguars close out season with loss to Hoover, Henderson

‘It was very disappointing’: Jaguars let lead slip away, fall in OT at Urbandale

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A second-half scoring drought proved to be costly for the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team in its regular-season finale on Friday at Urbandale. The J-Hawks rallied from a 27-15 halftime deficit to forge a 44-44 tie at the end of regulation, then outscored No. 10 Centennial in overtime, 11-7, to post a 55-51 victory in the non-conference … [Read more...] about ‘It was very disappointing’: Jaguars let lead slip away, fall in OT at Urbandale

Centennial boys cruise past Polar Bears, raise their overall record to 12-8

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Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball coach Bob Fontana went deeper into his bench on Tuesday night. Coming off a hard-fought win over Marshalltown 24 hours earlier, the 10th-ranked Jaguars went on the road and posted a 76-48 victory over Des Moines North in a non-conference contest. "We were able to play 10 or 11 kids throughout the game on a regular … [Read more...] about Centennial boys cruise past Polar Bears, raise their overall record to 12-8

No. 10 Centennial boys use late 10-1 run to hold off Marshalltown, Thomas

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Chris Louis breathed a sigh of relief following Monday's boys' basketball game against visiting Marshalltown. The senior guard scored six consecutive points in the final minute as 10th-ranked Ankeny Centennial held off a late Bobcats' rally to post a 76-71 victory in a make-up CIML Iowa Conference contest. The Jaguars bounced back from an 81-79 … [Read more...] about No. 10 Centennial boys use late 10-1 run to hold off Marshalltown, Thomas

Centennial boys pull away in 4th quarter for 49-40 victory over Dowling

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The Dowling Catholic boys' basketball team entered Tuesday's non-conference game at Ankeny Centennial with a 6-11 record. Centennial coach Bob Fontana wouldn't let his players be fooled by the Maroons' .353 winning percentage. "In the latest BC Moore rankings, Dowling had the toughest schedule in the state," Fontana said. "They've lost to a lot of … [Read more...] about Centennial boys pull away in 4th quarter for 49-40 victory over Dowling

Hawks earn No. 1 seed in Substate 1; Jaguars are No. 2 seed in Substate 2

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The sixth-ranked Ankeny boys' basketball team has been awarded the No. 1 seed in Class 4A Substate 1 by the Iowa High School Athletic Association, while No. 10 Ankeny Centennial is the No. 2 seed in Substate 2. Both teams will receive a first-round bye before hosting a semifinal game on Friday, Feb. 25 at 7 p.m. Ankeny (14-4) will host the winner of a … [Read more...] about Hawks earn No. 1 seed in Substate 1; Jaguars are No. 2 seed in Substate 2

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Jackson Snyder, Centennial boys’ hoops

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Senior guard Jackson Snyder has helped the 10th-ranked Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team to a 9-7 record. He is averaging 9.4 points and 2.8 rebounds per game while shooting 35.7 percent from 3-point range (15-of-42). Snyder scored 15 points on Friday in the Jaguars' 44-37 loss at top-ranked Ames. He was a perfect 6-for-6 from the field, including … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Jackson Snyder, Centennial boys’ hoops