Although Monday was a rough day for the CIML at the girls' state basketball tournament, the 18-team conference still boasts some of the best talent in the state. And much of that talent will be coming back next year. Four of the five players named to Ankeny Fanatic's all-CIML first team are underclassmen. Four of the five second-team players … [Read more...] about McCullough, Olson named to Ankeny Fanatic’s all-CIML second team
Girls' Basketball
Jaguars’ 10-game winning streak ends with loss to Valley in regional final
This wasn't the same Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team that was riding a 10-game winning streak. It certainly wasn't the same Valley squad that had lost six consecutive games earlier this season. The 12th-ranked Tigers used a 25-point fourth quarter to post a 58-44 victory in a Class 5A regional final on Tuesday at No. 5 Centennial. The game was … [Read more...] about Jaguars’ 10-game winning streak ends with loss to Valley in regional final
Olson, Wycoff, McCullough earn all-district honors
Seniors Chloe Olson and Sydney Wycoff of Ankeny Centennial have been named to the Class 5A West all-district girls' basketball team along with junior Sara McCullough of Ankeny. The all-district teams were selected by the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association. Olson, a forward, has led the Jaguars to a 19-3 record and a No. 5 ranking in Class 5A. She leads the … [Read more...] about Olson, Wycoff, McCullough earn all-district honors
Centennial girls fight off pesky Urbandale squad, will host Valley next
Survive and advance. That's what it's all about for the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team at this time of the year. The fifth-ranked Jaguars fought off a pesky Urbandale squad to post a 52-39 victory in a Class 5A regional semifinal on Saturday at Centennial. The win was the 10th in a row for Centennial (19-3), but it didn't come … [Read more...] about Centennial girls fight off pesky Urbandale squad, will host Valley next
Blimpie Sub of the Week: Lizzy Johnson, Ankeny Centennial girls’ basketball
Junior Lizzy Johnson of the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team is the Ankeny Fanatic Sub of the Week sponsored by Blimpie. Johnson has helped the Jaguars to an 18-3 record and a No. 5 ranking in Class 5A. She is averaging 1.4 points and 1.1 rebounds per game heading into postseason play. Johnson is also a standout on the Centennial girls' soccer … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Lizzy Johnson, Ankeny Centennial girls’ basketball
Strong finish allows Jaguars to capture CIML Central Conference crown
When Scott DeJong goes to sleep at night, he probably dreams of new ways to stop his opponents. That's how much his Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team focuses on defense. On Friday, the fifth-ranked Jaguars allowed just one point over the last 3 1/2 minutes and rallied for a 45-35 victory over No. 6 Waukee, spoiling the Warriors' Senior Night. … [Read more...] about Strong finish allows Jaguars to capture CIML Central Conference crown
Centennial boys, girls to play at Waukee for Central Conference crowns
A pair of championships will be at stake on Friday night at the Waukee Fieldhouse. Waukee will host a basketball doubleheader against Ankeny Centennial, beginning with the girls' game at 6:15 p.m. The winner of both contests will capture the CIML Central Conference title. "I think it's important that we win the conference because it will build our … [Read more...] about Centennial boys, girls to play at Waukee for Central Conference crowns
Centennial girls shake off slow start, beat Dodgers for 8th straight win
It took awhile for the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team to take control of Tuesday's game at Fort Dodge. The fifth-ranked Jaguars trailed in the second quarter, 19-16, before scoring the last nine points of the half. They then used a 24-4 run in the third quarter to pull away for a 62-41 victory in a CIML non-conference game. "We kind of had a … [Read more...] about Centennial girls shake off slow start, beat Dodgers for 8th straight win
Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Rachel Schon, Ankeny Centennial girls’ basketball
Rachel Schon is the Ankeny Fanatic prep of the week sponsored by Revive Clinic and Spa. The junior center has helped the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team to a 16-3 record and a No. 5 ranking in Class 5A. Schon is averaging 12.0 points and 5.9 rebounds per game. She is shooting 52.4 percent from the field (66-of-126), including 50 percent from … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Rachel Schon, Ankeny Centennial girls’ basketball
Hot-shooting Jaguars give DeJong his 600th career coaching victory
Fans of the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team came prepared to celebrate on Friday night. The Jaguars' faithful held up signs to congratulate coach Scott DeJong on his 600th career victory following his team's 53-25 win at Ames. Afterwards, DeJong shared the achievement with his players and assistant coaches. "It just means we've had a lot of … [Read more...] about Hot-shooting Jaguars give DeJong his 600th career coaching victory
Jaguars, Hawkettes to host regional semifinals on Feb. 17
The Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team won't even have to leave its own gym in order to qualify for the Class 5A state tournament at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines. The fifth-ranked Jaguars earned a No. 1 seed in Region 5 after posting a 50-42 overtime victory against Des Moines East on Tuesday at Centennial. They raised their record to 15-3 on the … [Read more...] about Jaguars, Hawkettes to host regional semifinals on Feb. 17
Centennial girls rally past East in OT, celebrate Senior Night with victory
Down by seven points with less than 4 minutes left to play, the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team was in danger of suffering a rare home-court loss on its Senior Night. But Chloe Olson refused to let it happen. The senior forward scored four points down the stretch to help force overtime, then added a pair of free throws in the extra period as … [Read more...] about Centennial girls rally past East in OT, celebrate Senior Night with victory
Centennial girls build big lead, then hold off Mohawks
One of the state's best girls' basketball players scored 25 points on Tuesday in a game against Ankeny Centennial. It still wasn't nearly enough. The eighth-ranked Jaguars traveled to Mason City for a CIML non-conference contest and came away with a 59-40 victory over the Mohawks, who are ranked seventh in Class 4A. Centennial relied … [Read more...] about Centennial girls build big lead, then hold off Mohawks
Olson, Jaguars muscle their way past Valley girls
Ankeny Centennial's Chloe Olson spends most of her time in the summer on the softball field, hitting long home runs for the Jaguars. In the winter, her strength carries over to the basketball court. The senior post player scored a career-high 19 points and grabbed 13 rebounds to lead the eighth-ranked Jaguars to a 63-57 victory over No. 15 Valley on … [Read more...] about Olson, Jaguars muscle their way past Valley girls
Williams makes her season debut as Centennial girls rout Roughriders
It didn't take long for Keanna Williams to show that her surgically-repaired right knee is as good as new. After checking into a game for the first time this season, the Ankeny Centennial point guard stole the ball near midcourt with about 1 minute left in the first quarter of Tuesday's CIML non-conference contest against visiting Des Moines … [Read more...] about Williams makes her season debut as Centennial girls rout Roughriders
Jaguars hold off late Waukee charge, move into tie for first place
Sydney Wycoff was relieved to hear that teammates Rachel Schon and Alexandria Keahna-Harris would be returning to action for Friday's showdown against visiting Waukee. "I was so excited when they said they were playing," Wycoff said of the two post players. "It just helps so much with that inside-out game, especially because we had eight … [Read more...] about Jaguars hold off late Waukee charge, move into tie for first place
Jaguars tumble to S.E. Polk, but Burns emerges as potential star
At the start of the season, sophomore guard Meg Burns was expected to be a complementary player for the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team. Now, somewhat out of necessity, she's becoming an emerging star. Burns scored a career-high 17 points on Tuesday in the fifth-ranked Jaguars' 59-45 loss at No. 10 Southeast Polk. She had eight of her points … [Read more...] about Jaguars tumble to S.E. Polk, but Burns emerges as potential star
Huge week on tap for Centennial girls
The Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team faces perhaps its most challenging week of the season. The fifth-ranked Jaguars will play two other top-10 teams in a span of four days, beginning with Tuesday's visit to No. 10 Southeast Polk. Tip-off is at 6:15 p.m., with the boys' varsity contest to follow. Centennial will then host No. 8 Waukee on Friday … [Read more...] about Huge week on tap for Centennial girls
McCullough’s big night not enough for Hawkettes in loss to Waukee
When Sara McCullough made her first 3-point shot on Friday, she knew it was going to be a good night. "Oh my gosh, my shot was on," McCullough said. "I don't know what was going through my head. I wasn't really thinking. I just kind of played." McCullough went on to score a career-high 27 points, including five 3-pointers, but it wasn't enough as the … [Read more...] about McCullough’s big night not enough for Hawkettes in loss to Waukee
‘Resilient’ Jaguars rally past Ames with huge fourth quarter
As the injuries continue to mount for the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team, so do the victories. The fifth-ranked Jaguars overcame two more injuries to defeat visiting Ames, 50-40, on Friday. Leading scorer Rachel Schon re-sprained her ankle in practice on Wednesday and did not play, while fellow post player Alexandria Keahna-Harris sat out after … [Read more...] about ‘Resilient’ Jaguars rally past Ames with huge fourth quarter