Ankeny Fanatic

Your Ankeny Sports Resource

Boys' Basketball

‘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

‘We’re on top of the world’: Jaguars rally past Cedar Falls, earn 2nd trip to state

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The Comeback Kids are headed to Wells Fargo Arena. The 10th-ranked Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team erased an early 10-point deficit and went on to defeat No. 8 Cedar Falls, 54-47, in a Class 4A substate final on Tuesday at Marshalltown. The Jaguars (16-7) advanced to the state tournament for the second time in school history. "It feels amazing … [Read more...] about ‘We’re on top of the world’: Jaguars rally past Cedar Falls, earn 2nd trip to state

Jaguars topple Iowa City West, will play No. 8 Cedar Falls for state tourney berth

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The Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball players were prepared for a battle on Friday night. The 10th-ranked Jaguars survived their postseason opener, posting a 57-52 win over visiting Iowa City West in a Class 4A substate semifinal. "I thought we adjusted really well after the first quarter to the physicality of the game," said Centennial coach Bob … [Read more...] about Jaguars topple Iowa City West, will play No. 8 Cedar Falls for state tourney berth

‘It was a tough road loss’: Jaguars fall to Johnston in final game of regular season

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The eighth-ranked Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team closed out the regular season on Friday with a 53-46 loss at Johnston. The Dragons pulled away from a tie in the last 4 minutes to earn their third straight win. They avenged an earlier 63-60 loss at Centennial in double overtime. Johnston finished 7-9 in the CIML Conference and improved to … [Read more...] about ‘It was a tough road loss’: Jaguars fall to Johnston in final game of regular season

‘We just didn’t have a good shooting night’: Jaguars fall at No. 3 Waukee NW

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With a five-game winning streak, the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team entered Friday's showdown at Waukee Northwest with a whole lot of confidence. After dropping a 74-48 decision to the third-ranked Wolves, the No. 6 Jaguars will have to regroup. "We just didn't have a good shooting night," said Centennial coach Bob Fontana. "The whole … [Read more...] about ‘We just didn’t have a good shooting night’: Jaguars fall at No. 3 Waukee NW

Centennial boys top Rams in seesaw battle for Fontana’s 450th career triumph

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Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball coach Bob Fontana doesn't keep track of his career record. It's a good thing that somebody else does. Fontana earned his 450th career win on Tuesday as the sixth-ranked Jaguars won a seesaw battle at Southeast Polk, 64-61, in a CIML Conference game. "I don't keep track of that, but my wife and daughter do," said … [Read more...] about Centennial boys top Rams in seesaw battle for Fontana’s 450th career triumph

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Evan Bryan, Centennial boys’ basketball

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Senior forward Evan Bryan has helped the eighth-ranked Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team to a 13-5 record, including an 8-5 mark in the CIML Conference. He scored 14 points and grabbed seven boards on Saturday as the Jaguars posted a 73-32 win at Des Moines North for their fourth consecutive victory. Bryan is averaging 9.4 points and 4.0 rebounds … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Evan Bryan, Centennial boys’ basketball

‘I was really happy with our approach’: Centennial boys roll past Polar Bears

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The Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team didn't have much time to enjoy Friday night's thrilling come-from-behind win against Ankeny. The eighth-ranked Jaguars were back on the court less than 24 hours later for a non-conference game on Saturday at Des Moines North. Centennial got off to a fast start, building a 38-9 halftime lead, and rolled to a … [Read more...] about ‘I was really happy with our approach’: Centennial boys roll past Polar Bears

Centennial tops Prairie behind Winkel, Bryan; Jaguars will host Ankeny Friday

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Luke Winkel and Evan Bryan combined for 51 points to lead the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team to a 71-55 victory at Cedar Rapids Prairie in a non-conference game on Monday. Winkel poured in 31 points on 13-of-19 shooting, while Bryan added 20 on 7-of-10 shooting. It was a career-high for both players, who each had a pair of 3-point … [Read more...] about Centennial tops Prairie behind Winkel, Bryan; Jaguars will host Ankeny Friday