Ankeny Fanatic

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Boys' Basketball

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Colin McAleer, Centennial boys’ basketball

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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

Crews, McAleer to lead way as Jaguars rebuild after record-setting season

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Following the most successful season in school history, the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team faces a major rebuilding task. The Jaguars return only two starters from a team that posted a 24-3 record and placed fourth in the Class 4A state tournament. "Our kids understand we will have to be a hard-nosed team with great chemistry that plays hard … [Read more...] about Crews, McAleer to lead way as Jaguars rebuild after record-setting season

‘It just seemed like I would fit right in’: Centennial’s McAleer to play for Midland

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Ankeny Centennial senior Colin McAleer will continue his basketball career at the NAIA level. The sharpshooting guard has announced his verbal commitment to Midland University in Fremont, Neb. "I loved the coaching staff and the players," said McAleer. "I love what coach Oliver (Drake) is about. I was at Midland for my second time last weekend to watch … [Read more...] about ‘It just seemed like I would fit right in’: Centennial’s McAleer to play for Midland

Centennial guard Kelling chooses Grand View over Midland, Morningside

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Ankeny Centennial's Preston Kelling is taking his highlight-reel dunks to the east side of Des Moines. The senior guard has verbally committed to play basketball at Grand View University. He picked the Vikings over Midland University and Morningside. "It was definitely a hard decision," said Kelling. "But after a couple days of thinking (it over) and … [Read more...] about Centennial guard Kelling chooses Grand View over Midland, Morningside

Bayless, McCullough named to Register’s Class 4A all-state first team

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Ankeny's Braxton Bayless and Ankeny Centennial's Cody McCullough racked up some more postseason honors on Friday. The two boys' basketball standouts were both named to the Class 4A all-state first team by The Des Moines Register. The duo was previously selected to the Class 4A first team by the Iowa Print Sports Writers Association. Bayless, a senior … [Read more...] about Bayless, McCullough named to Register’s Class 4A all-state first team

Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Jaron Crews, Centennial boys’ basketball

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Junior guard Jaron Crews helped the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team to a 24-3 record and a fourth-place finish in the Class 4A state tournament. He was a unanimous pick to the CIML Central Conference first team. Crews averaged 13.5 points and 2.4 rebounds per game. He led the Jaguars with 51 3-point goals and 115 assists. Here is some inside … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Jaron Crews, Centennial boys’ basketball

‘He’s an animal’: McCullough sets school record with 24 rebounds in Jaguars’ loss

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Bob Fontana got a little choked up following Friday's Class 4A consolation game at the boys' state basketball tournament. He knew he had coached the seniors on his Ankeny Centennial squad for the last time. "It's real tough with these guys because they've been so good," Fontana said following the Jaguars' 65-58 loss to Cedar Falls at Wells Fargo Arena. … [Read more...] about ‘He’s an animal’: McCullough sets school record with 24 rebounds in Jaguars’ loss

Jaguars tumble to Cedar Falls, finish 4th in their state tournament debut

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The Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team placed fourth in the Class 4A state tournament. The top-seeded Jaguars lost to two-time defending champion Cedar Falls, 65-58, in the consolation final on Friday at Wells Fargo Arena. They finished the best season in school history with a 24-3 record. "I'm very, very proud of these guys," said Centennial … [Read more...] about Jaguars tumble to Cedar Falls, finish 4th in their state tournament debut

The Madness ends: Here are Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for Friday’s games

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The boys' Class 4A state basketball tournament has included a little bit of everything. Thrilling finishes. Outstanding individual performances. And, of course, a heavy dose of novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Friday's games will be played with spectator restrictions due to the national pandemic. But, at least the games will go on. So who is going to … [Read more...] about The Madness ends: Here are Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for Friday’s games

‘They found a weakness in our defense’: Waukee boys avenge loss to Jaguars

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When the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team posted a 78-70 victory at Waukee on Jan. 28, the Jaguars looked like a legitimate state championship contender. The loss, though, may have benefited the Warriors as well. Waukee has since reeled off 13 consecutive wins and avenged that loss by defeating top-seeded Centennial, 68-62, in the Class 4A … [Read more...] about ‘They found a weakness in our defense’: Waukee boys avenge loss to Jaguars

Hawks advance to Class 4A final; Centennial will play for 3rd place

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There won't be a Jag-Hawk showdown in the boys' Class 4A state basketball tournament. Both Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial had a chance to advance to Friday's title game, but only the Hawks came through with a victory in Thursday's semifinals at Wells Fargo Arena. Sixth-seeded Ankeny made 12-of-22 3-pointers and rolled to a 71-57 win over two-time … [Read more...] about Hawks advance to Class 4A final; Centennial will play for 3rd place

An all-Ankeny final? Here are Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for 4A semifinals

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As of now, the Class 4A semifinal games are still on for Thursday night at Wells Fargo Arena, but things can change in a hurry with the coronavirus. The Big Ten and Big 12 basketball tournaments have already been cancelled today. But, if the show goes on, it'll be an historic night for the community of Ankeny. Both Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial have … [Read more...] about An all-Ankeny final? Here are Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for 4A semifinals

‘We survived and advanced’: Jaguars hold off Davenport North in quarterfinals

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The fans of the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team held their collective breath in the final seconds of the Jaguars' first state tournament game ever. Eighth-seeded Davenport North had a chance to pull off a huge upset at the buzzer, but a 3-point shot by Mahki Jacobs bounced off the rim as time expired and top-ranked Centennial escaped with a 53-51 … [Read more...] about ‘We survived and advanced’: Jaguars hold off Davenport North in quarterfinals

Jaguars survive Davenport North’s upset bid, will play Waukee in semifinals

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Davenport North's Mahki Jacobs missed a 3-pointer at the buzzer and top-ranked Ankeny Centennial held on for a 53-51 victory in the Class 4A quarterfinals of the boys' state basketball tournament on Tuesday night at Wells Fargo Arena. "I was pretty scared on that last shot," said Centennial junior Jaron Crews. "I was guarding him, and from my position it … [Read more...] about Jaguars survive Davenport North’s upset bid, will play Waukee in semifinals

The wait is over: Fontana’s Jaguars earn their first trip to Wells Fargo Arena

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When Bob Fontana returned to his hometown of Ankeny in 2013 to build the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball program from scratch, one of his primary goals was to get the Jaguars to the state tournament in the next few years. It took a little longer than he would have liked, but the wait was worth it. On Tuesday, Fontana guided the top-ranked Jaguars to … [Read more...] about The wait is over: Fontana’s Jaguars earn their first trip to Wells Fargo Arena

TWICE AS NICE: Jaguars, Hawks both advance to Class 4A state tournament

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The Ankeny boys' basketball team is headed to the state tournament for the first time since 2012. Crosstown rival Ankeny Centennial will be making the trip to Wells Fargo Arena for the first time ever. Both squads qualified for the Class 4A tournament with victories on Tuesday. Top-ranked Centennial posted a 58-42 win over Johnston in a substate final … [Read more...] about TWICE AS NICE: Jaguars, Hawks both advance to Class 4A state tournament

Centennial, Ankeny boys to play for state tournament berths on Tuesday

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A trip to the Class 4A state tournament is only 32 minutes away for the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball teams. The top-ranked Jaguars (22-1) will meet CIML Central Conference rival Johnston (15-7) in a substate final on Tuesday at Southeast Polk, while the Hawks (17-5) will face Sioux City East (17-4) at Fort Dodge. Both games begin at 7 … [Read more...] about Centennial, Ankeny boys to play for state tournament berths on Tuesday

Kelling, No. 1 Centennial boys roll past Roughriders in postseason opener

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Ankeny Centennial's Preston Kelling drove to the basket on Friday with a Des Moines Roosevelt defender right at his side. Kelling then rose up and threw down a monster dunk late in the first half of a Class 4A boys' basketball substate semifinal at Centennial. "I was feeling it at the time," Kelling said. "I was feeling good. It was just in the … [Read more...] about Kelling, No. 1 Centennial boys roll past Roughriders in postseason opener