The Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team held Dowling Catholic star Caitlin Clark to just two 3-point goals during Friday's game at Centennial. The Iowa recruit found other ways to score, though, and finished with 32 points in leading the second-ranked Maroons to a 56-49 victory. Clark wreaked havoc on defense, turning several steals into layups at … [Read more...] about Clark’s defense proves to be difference in Dowling’s win over Centennial girls
Girls' Basketball
No. 5 Waukee girls start fast, finish strong in win over Centennial
A slow start doomed the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team on Tuesday. The 10th-ranked Jaguars fell behind after the first quarter, 25-7, and eventually dropped a 55-33 decision in a non-conference game at No. 5 Waukee. It was their lowest offensive output of the season and their lowest total overall since a 46-27 loss at Johnston last year. "It … [Read more...] about No. 5 Waukee girls start fast, finish strong in win over Centennial
Ames girls top Jaguars after forcing OT on miraculous basket at buzzer
Sometimes, the ball doesn't bounce your way. Or, the questionable call that could have gone either way doesn't go in your favor. The 10th-ranked Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team experienced both of those things Friday on the same play--a miraculous basket by Ames' Teagan Lipsey that forced overtime and eventually helped the No. 12 Little … [Read more...] about Ames girls top Jaguars after forcing OT on miraculous basket at buzzer
Centennial girls cruise to 80-23 victory over short-handed Polar Bears
Ankeny Centennial's Meg Burns picked up right where she left off on Monday. Burns scored 14 points while playing only the first 6 minutes of the game to lead the 10th-ranked Jaguars to an 80-23 victory over visiting Des Moines North on Tuesday. She went 5-for-5 from the field, including 4-of-4 from 3-point range. Burns had scored 19 points in a win … [Read more...] about Centennial girls cruise to 80-23 victory over short-handed Polar Bears
Without Keahna-Harris, Centennial girls tumble to J-Hawks, Gyamfi sisters
The Urbandale girls' basketball team boasts an imposing front line led by sisters Jada and Maya Gyamfi. Unfortunately for Ankeny Centennial, the Jaguars didn't have their best post player to battle the J-Hawks on Saturday. Alexandria Keahna-Harris suffered a foot injury during Tuesday's overtime loss to second-ranked Johnston. She sat out as the No. 10 … [Read more...] about Without Keahna-Harris, Centennial girls tumble to J-Hawks, Gyamfi sisters
McDermott’s 3-pointers in OT lift No. 3 Dragons past Centennial girls
Even without one of its best players, the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team was in position to pull off an upset over visiting Johnston on Tuesday. But the 10th-ranked Jaguars couldn't seal the victory. Johnston's Maya McDermott made back-to-back 3-point goals in overtime to turn a three-point deficit into a three-point lead, and the No. 3 … [Read more...] about McDermott’s 3-pointers in OT lift No. 3 Dragons past Centennial girls
Jaguars score from all over the court en route to 60-27 win at Marshalltown
If opponents try to pack the paint against the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team, the Jaguars have demonstrated an ability to make 3-pointers. When the opponents try to pressure the outside shooters, Centennial can dump the ball inside for some easy baskets. The 10th-ranked Jaguars had success scoring from all over the court on Tuesday en route … [Read more...] about Jaguars score from all over the court en route to 60-27 win at Marshalltown
Burns, Centennial girls set 3-point records in victory at Fort Dodge
On Friday night, Meg Burns and the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team struggled to put the ball in the hoop. The 10th-ranked Jaguars didn't have that same problem on Saturday afternoon. Less than 24 hours after dropping a 59-37 decision at No. 4 Dowling Catholic, Centennial traveled to Fort Dodge for a non-conference game and set a school record … [Read more...] about Burns, Centennial girls set 3-point records in victory at Fort Dodge
Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Taylor Runchey, Centennial girls’ hoops
Senior point guard Taylor Runchey has helped the 10th-ranked Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team to a 5-4 record. She scored a season-high 12 points, making 4-of-6 shots from 3-point range, and also dished out 10 assists in the Jaguars' 71-34 victory at Fort Dodge on Saturday. Runchey is averaging 4.5 points and 2.6 rebounds per game. She is shooting … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Taylor Runchey, Centennial girls’ hoops
Clark’s supporting cast plays key role in Maroons’ win over Centennial girls
It wasn't the 29 points that Dowling Catholic's Caitlin Clark scored on Friday that spelled doom for the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team. It was the timely 3-point goals from her supporting cast that proved to be the difference. Grace Gaber and Ella McVey each had a trio of 3-pointers and Clark added two more as the fourth-ranked Maroons … [Read more...] about Clark’s supporting cast plays key role in Maroons’ win over Centennial girls
Centennial girls shut down No. 8 Little Cyclones for huge road victory
There are a number of things in the world that you can just count on. The sun will rise every morning. Then it will go down at night. And the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team will continue to play stifling defense. The 13th-ranked Jaguars allowed just 19 points through the first three quarters and posted a 50-32 victory at No. 8 Ames on … [Read more...] about Centennial girls shut down No. 8 Little Cyclones for huge road victory
‘We really wanted to step up our energy’: Jaguars roll past Roosevelt
There was no letdown Tuesday for the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team. The 13th-ranked Jaguars, who let a 12-point lead slip away in the final 6 minutes of Friday's loss at No. 4 Johnston, rolled to a 62-27 victory over No. 11 Des Moines Roosevelt on Tuesday at Centennial. "After that loss at Johnston, we really wanted to step up our energy," … [Read more...] about ‘We really wanted to step up our energy’: Jaguars roll past Roosevelt
‘You have to play a full 4 quarters’: Centennial girls let late lead slip away
For more than three quarters Friday night, the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball squad outplayed one of the state's best teams. The 13th-ranked Jaguars held a 40-28 lead at No. 4 Johnston with 6 minutes left in the CIML Central Conference opener. But they couldn't close out the victory. The Dragons outscored Centennial the rest of the way, 19-4, and … [Read more...] about ‘You have to play a full 4 quarters’: Centennial girls let late lead slip away
Early lead quickly disappears as Jaguars fall to defending state champs
The Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team had the defending Class 5A state champion on the ropes Tuesday night. But the Jaguars were unable to deliver the knockout blow. Eighth-ranked Centennial jumped out to an early 11-1 lead at No. 12 Valley before the Tigers used runs of 14-2 and 19-5 to rally for a 52-44 victory. "We started off really well, … [Read more...] about Early lead quickly disappears as Jaguars fall to defending state champs
Centennial girls rebound from loss with thumping of Huskies
The Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team pitched a shutout during the first quarter of Friday's game against visiting Des Moines Hoover. The eighth-ranked Jaguars raced out to a 23-0 lead at the end of the opening period. They built a 41-6 advantage at halftime and then cruised to a 76-15 victory over the Huskies. Centennial coach Scott DeJong … [Read more...] about Centennial girls rebound from loss with thumping of Huskies
Centennial girls’ late rally falls short in loss to No. 6 S.E. Polk
During last year's state tournament, the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team overcame a double-digit deficit before losing to Southeast Polk in overtime in the Class 5A quarterfinals. The Jaguars tried to pull off a similar comeback against their CIML rival on Tuesday, but this time the deficit was too large. Sixth-ranked Southeast Polk built a … [Read more...] about Centennial girls’ late rally falls short in loss to No. 6 S.E. Polk
Jaguars roll past Lincoln for most lopsided victory in school history
Don't expect the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team to win every game by 70 points. For one day, though, that's exactly what the seventh-ranked Jaguars did. Centennial built a 57-7 halftime lead and then coasted to an 84-14 victory over visiting Des Moines Lincoln in its season opener on Saturday afternoon. It was the Jaguars' most lopsided win … [Read more...] about Jaguars roll past Lincoln for most lopsided victory in school history
Young Jaguars will need to get key contributions from several players
For much of the last three seasons, Kenna Sauer and Rachel Schon were the faces of the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball program. The duo led the Jaguars to a 51-18 record during that stretch, but have now taken their talents to the collegiate level. Sauer is playing volleyball at Missouri, while Schon is averaging 7.5 points and 7.5 rebounds per game … [Read more...] about Young Jaguars will need to get key contributions from several players
Schon, McCullough earn all-state honors from IGCA, IPSWA
The Central Iowa Metropolitan League dominated the Class 5A state tournament last week, placing seven of its schools in the eight-team field. Now, the CIML has dominated the Class 5A all-state teams by the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association. The league boasts six of the eight first-team selections and 15 of the 24 all-staters overall. Seniors Rachel Schon … [Read more...] about Schon, McCullough earn all-state honors from IGCA, IPSWA
Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Alexandria Keahna-Harris, Centennial girls’ basketball
Junior forward Alexandria Keahna-Harris helped the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team to a 15-8 record. She scored 12 points and grabbed four rebounds in the Jaguars' 61-56 overtime loss to Southeast Polk in the Class 5A quarterfinals of the state tournament on Feb. 25 at Wells Fargo Arena. Keahna-Harris averaged 7.7 points and 4.4 rebounds per game … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Alexandria Keahna-Harris, Centennial girls’ basketball