Girls' Basketball

For the first 8 minutes on Tuesday, the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team executed its game plan perfectly. But an opponent like top-ranked Johnston, which entered the night with a 70-game winning streak, eventually has an answer for everything. After leading by just 8-6 after the first quarter, the visiting Dragons then erupted for 28 points in … [Read more...] about ‘They’re ranked No. 1 for a reason’: Jaguars suffer 72-32 loss to two-time champions

(Story by Jordan Wood) Heading into Friday's game at Waukee, the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team was looking to sweep the season series while reaching the .500 mark for the first time this season. Having fallen short on their past two chances at evening their record, the 11th-ranked Jaguars looked to clinch it against an opponent they had … [Read more...] about ‘We didn’t expect their intensity’: Waukee girls top No. 11 Centennial to avenge loss

The Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team has had two previous chances to reach the .500 mark for the season. Now, the 12th-ranked Jaguars will get another opportunity to even their record. Centennial used a fast start to post a 52-46 victory over visiting Des Moines Roosevelt in a non-conference game on Monday. The Jaguars are now 8-9 heading into … [Read more...] about Jaguars hold off Roosevelt, can reach .500 mark with victory at Waukee on Friday

The Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team took a lot of positives away from Tuesday's game at Dowling Catholic. After dropping a 79-38 decision to the third-ranked Maroons on Dec. 9, No. 11 Centennial traveled to West Des Moines for the rematch and trailed by just two points at halftime before Dowling pulled away for a 51-26 victory. "We set some … [Read more...] about ‘We just saw a lot of growth’: Jaguars keep it close for a half against No. 3 Dowling

Visiting North Polk pulled away in the third quarter and went on to post a 56-42 victory over Ankeny Centennial in a matchup of rated girls' basketball teams on Saturday. The Comets, who are ranked eighth in Class 4A, extended their winning streak to nine games while raising their record to 14-2. Centennial, the No. 11 team in Class 5A, dropped to 6-8 on … [Read more...] about ‘Their defense caused us some fits’: No. 8 North Polk girls pull away from Centennial

After knocking off its crosstown rival earlier in the week, the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team was hoping to pull off a second consecutive upset on Friday. Unfortunately, a slow start doomed the 14th-ranked Jaguars on their home court. No. 2 Waukee Northwest jumped out to a 15-0 lead in the first quarter and went on to post a 44-28 victory in … [Read more...] about ‘We just couldn’t get our shots to fall’: Centennial girls tumble to No. 2 Wolves

After suffering a loss at top-ranked Johnston on Friday, the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team was back on the court less than 24 hours later. A non-conference matchup against visiting Fort Dodge was a much-needed breather for coach Chris Harken's team. Six Centennial players scored eight or more points and four others added three or more as the … [Read more...] about ‘It was just a great team effort’: Jaguars use balanced attack to rout Fort Dodge

(Story by Stephen McDaniel) Before the season even started, the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team knew that Friday's matchup at top-ranked Johnston would be the hardest game on its schedule all year. The Jaguars were no match for Johnston as the Dragons extended their winning streak to 63 games while beating Centennial for the 13th straight … [Read more...] about ‘She just kept hitting them’: Lewis scores 33 points, leads Dragons past Centennial