Ankeny Fanatic

Your Ankeny Sports Resource

Girls' Basketball

‘You want to get the best of the best’: Jags hire Delger, Harken to coach hoops teams

by

Ankeny Centennial Activities Director Nate Lingren didn't have to look very far to find replacements for legendary basketball coaches Scott DeJong and Bob Fontana. Both of the Jaguars' new coaches were already in the building. Matt Delger, Fontana's former assistant, has been hired to take over the boys' program. He was introduced on Wednesday. "I … [Read more...] about ‘You want to get the best of the best’: Jags hire Delger, Harken to coach hoops teams

‘It was an amazing run’: DeJong retires after 37 seasons, record 7 state titles

by

When Scott DeJong came to Ankeny in 1993 to take over the girls' basketball program, he replaced a legendary coach in Dick Rasmussen. Now, more than three decades later, DeJong has put an end to his own legendary career. The only head coach in Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball history, DeJong announced his retirement on Tuesday--shortly after giving … [Read more...] about ‘It was an amazing run’: DeJong retires after 37 seasons, record 7 state titles

THE END OF AN ERA: Jaguars’ coaching legend DeJong announces retirement

by

Girls' basketball coaching legend Scott DeJong of Ankeny Centennial has retired after 37 seasons, including the last 12 with the Jaguars. DeJong turned in his resignation letter to Activities Director Nate Lingren on Tuesday afternoon. "I had thought I would be doing this, but when it came down to it, I had a hard time writing the letter," DeJong said. … [Read more...] about THE END OF AN ERA: Jaguars’ coaching legend DeJong announces retirement

Crawford, Pratt to play in Pizza Ranch All Star Games on Saturday at DC-G

by

Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball standouts Mya Crawford and Jaeden Pratt will both compete in the 2025 Pizza Ranch All Star Games on Saturday at Dallas Center-Grimes. Crawford and Pratt will both play for the Southwest Iowa team that will be coached by Maddie Gelber of Roland-Story and Jon Weinrich of Shenandoah. North Polk senior Abby Tuttle will also … [Read more...] about Crawford, Pratt to play in Pizza Ranch All Star Games on Saturday at DC-G

The CIML Invitational: Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for the Class 5A semifinals

by

The girls' Class 5A state basketball tournament--also known as the CIML Conference Invitational--resumes on Thursday morning with a semifinal doubleheader at Wells Fargo Arena. All four of the highest seeds from the CIML Conference posted victories in Monday's quarterfinals by an average of 16 points. That means that Friday's championship game will be an … [Read more...] about The CIML Invitational: Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for the Class 5A semifinals

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Mya Crawford, Centennial girls’ basketball

by

Senior guard Mya Crawford had 13 points, 11 rebounds, six steals and three blocks to help the fourth-ranked Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team to a 42-37 victory over No. 13 Southeast Polk in a Class 5A regional final on Tuesday at Centennial. The Jaguars advanced to the state tournament for the fifth consecutive year and will play No. 5 Pleasant … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Mya Crawford, Centennial girls’ basketball

State tourney preview: Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for Class 5A quarterfinals

by

The girls' state basketball tournament tips off on Monday morning at Wells Fargo Arena, and top-ranked Johnston is the favorite to capture its fourth Class 5A championship in six seasons. The Dragons are an incredible 141-6 since the start of the 2019-20 campaign, when their dynasty began. They weren't exactly bad in the previous four seasons either, … [Read more...] about State tourney preview: Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for Class 5A quarterfinals

Blackmore’s jumper ends scoring drought, sends Jaguars back to state tournament

by

It might have been the biggest basket of Finley Blackmore's high school career. The 5-foot-10 guard scored only two points on Tuesday night, but her pull-up jumper with 1 minute 50 seconds left helped the fourth-ranked Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team to a 42-37 victory over No. 13 Southeast Polk in a Class 5A regional final at Centennial, sending … [Read more...] about Blackmore’s jumper ends scoring drought, sends Jaguars back to state tournament

Jaguars rout Marshalltown, will meet S.E. Polk for 3rd time in 19 days for state berth

by

The Marshalltown girls' basketball team entered Saturday's Class 5A regional semifinal at Ankeny Centennial with a chance to reach double digits in victories for the first time since the 2006-07 season. The fourth-ranked Jaguars quickly made sure, though, that it wouldn't happen. Centennial jumped out to a 33-2 lead at the end of the first quarter, … [Read more...] about Jaguars rout Marshalltown, will meet S.E. Polk for 3rd time in 19 days for state berth

‘It was a fun Senior Night’: Jaguars place 5 players in double figures, beat S.E. Polk

by

The nine seniors on the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team had plenty to celebrate following Friday's game against visiting Southeast Polk. The fourth-ranked Jaguars closed out the regular season with a 60-52 victory, defeating the No. 13 Rams for the second time in eight days. Then, one of coach Scott DeJong's largest senior classes was … [Read more...] about ‘It was a fun Senior Night’: Jaguars place 5 players in double figures, beat S.E. Polk

Martin continues torrid stretch, leads Jags past Waukee for 4th-place finish in CIML

by

Ankeny Centennial's Ava Martin is on a heater. The senior guard scored a season-high 18 points on Tuesday to lead the fourth-ranked Jaguars to a 62-46 victory over No. 11 Waukee in a CIML Conference girls' basketball game at Centennial. She went 7-of-11 from the field, including 4-of-6 from 3-point range. "It feels so good," Martin said after her team … [Read more...] about Martin continues torrid stretch, leads Jags past Waukee for 4th-place finish in CIML

‘It was a great win’: Centennial girls shoot 46 percent in road victory over S.E. Polk

by

The Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team had one of its best shooting performances of the season on Friday. The-fourth ranked Jaguars shot 46.0 percent from the field (23-of-50) and cruised to a 62-47 victory at No. 14 Southeast Polk in the first meeting between the two CIML Conference rivals, who will face each … [Read more...] about ‘It was a great win’: Centennial girls shoot 46 percent in road victory over S.E. Polk

Hot-shooting Johnston extends winning streak with 68-49 victory over Jaguars

by

(Story by Stephen McDaniel) Many have tried in the last 43 games, but none have succeeded and Ankeny Centennial was the latest girls' basketball team to add to Johnston’s long winning streak. The fourth-ranked Jaguars attempted to pull off a big road upset of No. 1 Johnston on Tuesday, but the nation's No. 13 squad … [Read more...] about Hot-shooting Johnston extends winning streak with 68-49 victory over Jaguars

‘The balance was good to see’: 4 players score in double digits in Jaguars’ road win

by

There was no time for the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team to dwell on Friday's loss at Waukee. The fourth-ranked Jaguars had to play a rare Saturday afternoon game less than 24 hours later. Centennial traveled to Ames for a non-conference contest and rolled to a 60-21 victory over the … [Read more...] about ‘The balance was good to see’: 4 players score in double digits in Jaguars’ road win

‘We just didn’t finish out the game well’: Jaguars fall at Waukee in last few minutes

by

(Story by Stephen McDaniel) It was an uphill battle most of the way for the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team. In the end, the fourth-ranked Jaguars fell just a little short. Despite battling back from a 10-point deficit and a strong second half from senior Mya Crawford, Centennial dropped a 57-53 decision at No. 12 Waukee in a … [Read more...] about ‘We just didn’t finish out the game well’: Jaguars fall at Waukee in last few minutes

Centennial girls roll past Class 4A No. 2 North Polk, handing Comets their first loss

by

(Story by Stephen McDaniel) There are some days where everything just seems to be clicking, and the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team picked a perfect time to do so. The Class 5A fourth-ranked Jaguars were locked in on both ends of the court, and it led to a 20-point victory during their top-five showdown with Class 4A No. 2 North Polk as … [Read more...] about Centennial girls roll past Class 4A No. 2 North Polk, handing Comets their first loss

Crawford, Pratt record double-doubles in Jaguars’ 58-41 victory over Valley girls

by

Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball coach Scott DeJong didn't expect a repeat of his team's 73-42 victory at Valley last month. The fourth-ranked Jaguars won the rematch, 58-41, on Tuesday at Centennial. "The last time the stars aligned," said DeJong. "We were just hoping we could beat them. Waukee Northwest was a single-digit game (with Valley) in the … [Read more...] about Crawford, Pratt record double-doubles in Jaguars’ 58-41 victory over Valley girls

After 6 ties and 5 lead changes, Dowling girls pull away late to beat Jaguars again

by

The Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team is still searching for a signature victory to put on its postseason resume. The fourth-ranked Jaguars once again battled No. 2 Dowling Catholic down to the wire on Friday before dropping a 52-45 decision at Centennial. There were six ties and five lead changes before the Maroons closed out the CIML Conference … [Read more...] about After 6 ties and 5 lead changes, Dowling girls pull away late to beat Jaguars again