It took awhile for the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team to fight off a pesky Indianola squad in a Class 4A substate semifinal on Friday. The visiting Indians battled Centennial to a 28-28 halftime tie before the eighth-ranked Jaguars used an 18-0 run in the second half to pull away for a 71-53 victory. "We just had to get it going," said … [Read more...] about Jaguars fight off Indianola’s upset bid, advance to substate final against Ames
Boys' Basketball
Jaguars pull away from Urbandale, finish regular season with 13-4 record
It's a good bet that the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team will be practicing special situations this week as the Jaguars prepare for the start of postseason play. In its regular-season finale on Friday, Centennial twice gave up a 3-point goal at the buzzer in the first half as visiting Urbandale managed to keep the game close, trailing by only … [Read more...] about Jaguars pull away from Urbandale, finish regular season with 13-4 record
‘We came out with some really good energy’: Jaguars romp past Roosevelt
Less than 48 hours after wrapping up the CIML Iowa Conference title, the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team started focusing on postseason play. The eighth-ranked Jaguars will have three non-conference games to get ready for substate action, beginning with Saturday's tilt against visiting Des Moines Roosevelt. Centennial raced out to a 41-17 lead … [Read more...] about ‘We came out with some really good energy’: Jaguars romp past Roosevelt
‘It feels good to be conference champs’: Louis leads Jaguars past Mason City
The Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team badly needed a victory on Thursday night. Thanks to some prolific shooting from Chris Louis, the eighth-ranked Jaguars easily achieved their goal. Louis scored a career-high 24 points as Centennial rolled to an 84-50 victory at Mason City, allowing the Jaguars to snap a three-game losing skid and clinch the … [Read more...] about ‘It feels good to be conference champs’: Louis leads Jaguars past Mason City
Hot-shooting Dowling boys hand No. 8 Jaguars their third consecutive loss
The Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team got off to a bad start in Tuesday's non-conference game at Dowling Catholic. The eighth-ranked Jaguars never recovered. Dowling jumped out to an 11-0 lead less than 3 minutes into the first quarter and rolled to an 83-63 victory, handing Centennial its third consecutive loss. The Jaguars (10-4) allowed 83 … [Read more...] about Hot-shooting Dowling boys hand No. 8 Jaguars their third consecutive loss
Lipsey, Little Cyclones capitalize on Crews’ absence to stay in title chase
A two-game lead in the CIML Iowa Conference gave the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team some margin for error on Friday night. All-state point guard Jaron Crews sat out with an ankle injury as the fourth-ranked Jaguars lost to No. 10 Ames, 56-46, in a top-10 showdown at Centennial. "I could have played tonight, but I just wanted to make sure I was … [Read more...] about Lipsey, Little Cyclones capitalize on Crews’ absence to stay in title chase
No. 2 Waukee boys top Centennial, snap Jaguars’ 20-game home winning streak
The Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team isn't accustomed to losing on its home court. It took a special squad to end the Jaguars' 20-game home winning streak. Second-ranked Waukee built a 35-24 halftime lead and went on to post a 69-56 victory over No. 4 Centennial in a non-conference game on Tuesday. The Warriors were also the last team to win at … [Read more...] about No. 2 Waukee boys top Centennial, snap Jaguars’ 20-game home winning streak
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Brock Jensen, Centennial boys’ basketball
Senior guard Brock Jensen has helped the fourth-ranked Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team to a 10-1 record. He scored 10 points on Friday as the Jaguars posted a 70-59 victory at Ankeny to clinch at least a share of the CIML Iowa Conference title. Jensen is averaging 8.5 points and 4.7 rebounds per game. He had a career-high 13 points in the Jaguars' … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Brock Jensen, Centennial boys’ basketball
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 122
Check out the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by Coldwell Banker Mid-America. Publisher Dan Holm interviews Ankeny Centennial basketball coaches Scott DeJong and Bob Fontana, as well as players Cleao Murray and Colin McAleer, about the Jaguars' season thus far and looks ahead to Friday's showdown at Ankeny. … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 122
Blimpie Sub of the Week: Chris Louis, Ankeny Centennial boys’ basketball
Junior guard Chris Louis is a member of the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team. He has helped the fourth-ranked Jaguars to a 9-1 record. Louis is averaging 7.8 points and 2.5 rebounds per game. He scored a career-high 16 points in Centennial's only loss at No. 5 Valley on Jan. 9. “Chris has provided us with an additional offensive threat," said … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Chris Louis, Ankeny Centennial boys’ basketball
Five Centennial players score in double figures as Jaguars top Mason City
The Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team moved another step closer to the CIML Iowa Conference title with a 76-48 victory over visiting Mason City on Saturday. The win, coupled with Ames' triumph over Ankeny, gives the Jaguars a two-game lead in league play with only three contests remaining. They are now 7-0 in the conference and 9-1 overall. Ames … [Read more...] about Five Centennial players score in double figures as Jaguars top Mason City
Kelling erupts for 16 points in 2nd quarter, leads Jaguars to lopsided win
A huge second quarter from junior guard Caden Kelling helped the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team to a 75-38 victory over visiting Marshalltown on Friday. Kelling scored 16 of his career-high 18 points in the second quarter as the fourth-ranked Jaguars built a commanding 39-13 halftime lead. His previous career-high of 15 points came in a win over … [Read more...] about Kelling erupts for 16 points in 2nd quarter, leads Jaguars to lopsided win
‘We tried to force them into making tough shots’: Jaguars stifle Hoover boys
For the second time this season, the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team went on the road Tuesday night and handed another ranked opponent its first loss. The fourth-ranked Jaguars raced out to an early 17-5 lead and went on to defeat No. 9 Des Moines Hoover, 57-49, in a non-conference game. "Hoover's a very solid team," said Centennial coach Bob … [Read more...] about ‘We tried to force them into making tough shots’: Jaguars stifle Hoover boys
‘Our defense was a point of emphasis’: Jaguars allow just 34 points in victory
The Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team was looking for an improved defensive performance after giving up 83 points in Saturday's loss at Valley. The fifth-ranked Jaguars accomplished their goal on Tuesday. Centennial forced 21 turnovers and rolled to an 80-34 victory over visiting Fort Dodge. The Jaguars are now 5-0 in the CIML Iowa Conference and … [Read more...] about ‘Our defense was a point of emphasis’: Jaguars allow just 34 points in victory
‘We gave them way too many good looks’: Centennial boys fall to Tigers
It's a good bet that the Valley boys' basketball team won't be unranked much longer. After knocking off seventh-ranked Johnston and No. 8 Southeast Polk earlier in the week, the Tigers remained unbeaten on Saturday with an 83-76 victory over visiting Ankeny Centennial, the No. 3 team in Class 4A. They improved to 4-0 on the season. It was the first … [Read more...] about ‘We gave them way too many good looks’: Centennial boys fall to Tigers
‘I think Lio grew up tonight’: Freshman Aguirre sparks Jaguars past No. 2 Ames
If the rest of the Central Iowa Metropolitan League didn't know about Ankeny Centennial's Lio Aguirre before Tuesday's game at Ames, they certainly do now. The freshman forward scored 21 points and sparked a huge second-half rally as the sixth-ranked Centennial boys' basketball team rallied for a 55-53 victory over No. 2 Ames. "We're capable of a lot. … [Read more...] about ‘I think Lio grew up tonight’: Freshman Aguirre sparks Jaguars past No. 2 Ames
‘We found a way to win’: Centennial boys use late run to hold off Bobcats
A 14-3 run to close out the game allowed the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team to escape with a 72-62 victory at Marshalltown on Friday. The eighth-ranked Jaguars improved to 2-0 in the CIML Iowa Conference and 3-0 overall. Marshalltown's records fell to 0-1 and 0-3. "We played in spurts all night," said Centennial coach Bob Fontana. "We found a … [Read more...] about ‘We found a way to win’: Centennial boys use late run to hold off Bobcats
Crews scores 20, Louis adds 14 in Jaguars’ 78-62 victory over Newton
A 30-point third quarter helped the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team pull away for a 78-62 victory over visiting Newton in a non-conference game on Tuesday. The eighth-ranked Jaguars improved to 2-0 on the season. The Cardinals dropped to 3-1. "They were unbeaten," said Centennial coach Bob Fontana. "I'd seen them on tape, and I was impressed … [Read more...] about Crews scores 20, Louis adds 14 in Jaguars’ 78-62 victory over Newton
Centennial boys rout Fort Dodge, score most points ever in season opener
By the end of the third quarter on Friday, the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team had already scored its most points ever in a season-opening game. The ninth-ranked Jaguars used a 35-point period to build a 77-38 advantage after three quarters at Fort Dodge. They went on to post a 95-40 victory over the Dodgers, just two points shy of the school … [Read more...] about Centennial boys rout Fort Dodge, score most points ever in season opener
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Colin McAleer, Centennial boys’ basketball
Senior Colin McAleer is one of two returning starters for the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team, which will open its season on Friday at Fort Dodge. A wing player, McAleer averaged 7.3 points per game as a junior while helping the Jaguars to a 24-3 record and a fourth-place finish in the Class 4A state tournament. McAleer connected on 37.5 percent … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Colin McAleer, Centennial boys’ basketball