The last time the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team played CIML Conference rival Valley, the Jaguars simply couldn't find the bottom of the net. Tuesday's rematch at Valley was a different story. Fifth-ranked Centennial pulled away in the second half for a 40-30 victory over the No. 9 Tigers. The win avenged last month's 35-24 loss, when the … [Read more...] about Jaguars avenge earlier loss to Valley, extend their winning streak to 5 games
Girls' Basketball
‘Our rebounding was really good’: Jags dominate boards in victory at S.E. Polk
A fast start ignited the fifth-ranked Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team to a 51-40 win at No. 11 Southeast Polk on Friday. The Jaguars jumped out to an 18-2 lead at the end of the first quarter and eventually built a 44-23 advantage after three periods. They cruised to their fourth straight victory. "It's never an easy place to play, and they … [Read more...] about ‘Our rebounding was really good’: Jags dominate boards in victory at S.E. Polk
‘We finished it out strong’: Centennial girls hold off Wolves’ rally for road victory
It's never easy to win on the road. The sixth-ranked Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team built a 17-point lead and then held off a furious rally by No. 12 Waukee Northwest to escape with a 52-45 road victory on Tuesday. The Wolves, who never led, closed the gap to 44-42 in the fourth quarter before Centennial ended the game with an 8-3 … [Read more...] about ‘We finished it out strong’: Centennial girls hold off Wolves’ rally for road victory
Centennial girls pull away from No. 3 North Polk, head into 2024 with 5-5 mark
The Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team may have turned its season around prior to the holiday break. After ending a five-game losing streak with a win over their crosstown rival three nights earlier, the sixth-ranked Jaguars evened their overall record at 5-5 with a 58-43 victory over visiting North Polk in a non-conference game on Dec. 22. "We … [Read more...] about Centennial girls pull away from No. 3 North Polk, head into 2024 with 5-5 mark
Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Finley Blackmore, Centennial girls’ hoops
Junior guard Finley Blackmore has helped the sixth-ranked Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team to a 4-5 record. She scored six points in the Jaguars' 50-49 victory over visiting Ankeny on Tuesday. Blackmore is averaging 5.4 points and 1.8 rebounds per game. She has made 11-of-34 attempts from 3-point range (32.4 percent). Here is some inside info … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Finley Blackmore, Centennial girls’ hoops
Jaguars battle No. 3 Davenport North to the wire before dropping 40-37 decision
A late rally by the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team came up short on Saturday when the Jaguars simply ran out of time. Sixth-ranked Centennial held No. 3 Davenport North scoreless over the last 4 minutes, but the Jaguars managed just five points during that stretch and couldn't get the ball back in the final seconds, resulting in a 40-37 loss in … [Read more...] about Jaguars battle No. 3 Davenport North to the wire before dropping 40-37 decision
Pratt’s foul trouble proves costly as Jags fall to Waukee for 4th consecutive loss
When Ankeny Centennial's Jaeden Pratt went to the bench with her third foul during the first half of Friday's game against visiting Waukee, the CIML Conference girls' basketball contest started to slip away from the sixth-ranked Jaguars. No. 5 Waukee extended its lead to 27-18 at halftime and went on to post a 51-37 victory over Centennial, which has now … [Read more...] about Pratt’s foul trouble proves costly as Jags fall to Waukee for 4th consecutive loss
‘We had a real matchup problem’: No. 1 Johnston hands Jaguars 3rd straight loss
The search for more offensive production continues for the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team. The fifth-ranked Jaguars shot just 31.8 percent (14-of-44) and dropped a 64-37 decision at No. 1 Johnston on Tuesday, suffering a third straight loss for only the third time in program history. They have averaged just 31.7 points over the last three games, … [Read more...] about ‘We had a real matchup problem’: No. 1 Johnston hands Jaguars 3rd straight loss
‘We struggled to get points’: Jaguars tumble to No. 2 Valley in defensive battle
The Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team just couldn't find the basket. The fifth-ranked Jaguars shot just 21.7 percent from the field (10-of-46) and lost to No. 2 Valley, 35-24, in a CIML Conference game on Friday at Centennial. It was the team's lowest offensive output in program history under coach Scott DeJong. The previous low was 26 points in … [Read more...] about ‘We struggled to get points’: Jaguars tumble to No. 2 Valley in defensive battle
‘Give Dowling credit’: No. 6 Maroons hand cold-shooting Centennial its first loss
(Story by Gabe Ploeger) The Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team just couldn’t get the shots to fall. Sixth-ranked Dowling Catholic outscored No. 2 Centennial in all four quarters and cruised to a 60-34 win over the visiting Jaguars on Friday. The Maroons bounced back from a 55-42 loss to No. 5 Valley on Tuesday, which could be a sign of things to … [Read more...] about ‘Give Dowling credit’: No. 6 Maroons hand cold-shooting Centennial its first loss
Centennial girls dominate boards, force 26 turnovers in victory at Urbandale
On a night when the shots weren't falling at a high rate for the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team, the Jaguars found other ways to dominate their opponent. Fifth-ranked Centennial racked up a 48-19 rebounding advantage and also forced 26 turnovers en route to a 75-33 victory at Urbandale in its CIML Conference opener on Tuesday. The Jaguars … [Read more...] about Centennial girls dominate boards, force 26 turnovers in victory at Urbandale
‘This was a huge win’: Late rally allows Jaguars to knock off No. 2 Pleasant Valley
This wasn't just another November victory for the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team. The fifth-ranked Jaguars scored the final nine points of the game and rallied to beat No. 2 Pleasant Valley, 44-40, on Saturday in Cedar Rapids. The contest was part of the 19th Rivalry Saturday held on the campus of Kirkwood Community College. "To go to a … [Read more...] about ‘This was a huge win’: Late rally allows Jaguars to knock off No. 2 Pleasant Valley
Hot-shooting Jaguars rout Roosevelt, will face No. 2 Pleasant Valley on Saturday
The Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team won't have many games like Tuesday's season opener against visiting Des Moines Roosevelt. Perhaps the fifth-ranked Jaguars won't have any like it. Centennial raced out to a 54-6 halftime lead and rolled to a 73-18 victory over the Roughriders in a non-conference game. "We shot the ball well. We were … [Read more...] about Hot-shooting Jaguars rout Roosevelt, will face No. 2 Pleasant Valley on Saturday
‘They have lots of abilities they bring to the table’: Pratt, Crawford to lead Jaguars
When the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team opens its season on Tuesday with a non-conference game against visiting Des Moines Roosevelt, the Jaguars will start a lineup consisting of five underclassmen. That's because there are no seniors on the squad's roster. "I do think we have had (this situation) before, but rarely," said Centennial coach … [Read more...] about ‘They have lots of abilities they bring to the table’: Pratt, Crawford to lead Jaguars
‘I always wanted to stay close to home’: Crawford commits to play for Bulldogs
Ankeny Centennial junior Mya Crawford has verbally committed to play for the Drake women's basketball program. The versatile wing player announced her decision via social media on Friday. "I would like to take the time to thank all of my teammates, friends, and family for being my biggest supporters," she tweeted. "Thank you to ALL of my coaches who … [Read more...] about ‘I always wanted to stay close to home’: Crawford commits to play for Bulldogs
‘I’m so excited to be a Redbird!’: Versatile Pratt to play basketball at Illinois State
Ankeny Centennial junior Jaeden Pratt is enjoying another outstanding volleyball season. Her future, though, is on the basketball court. Pratt has verbally committed to play that sport at Illinois State, beginning in 2025. She announced her decision via social media on Thursday. "I visited a lot of schools that were around the Midwest, but something … [Read more...] about ‘I’m so excited to be a Redbird!’: Versatile Pratt to play basketball at Illinois State
Centennial senior Porter receives Karon Brown Award from IGHSAU
Ankeny Centennial senior Averi Porter has been named the recipient of the Karon Brown Award by the Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union. The award is a tribute to Brown, who served the IGHSAU for 43 years, most recently as the Senior Associate Director. "I was aware that I was up for the award, but I was shocked when I heard that I was the loan … [Read more...] about Centennial senior Porter receives Karon Brown Award from IGHSAU
Clark, White help SW Iowa team to crown at Pizza Ranch All-Star games
Ankeny Centennial seniors Makenna Clark and Kennedy White helped the Southwest Iowa girls' team to the championship of the 2023 Pizza Ranch All-Star basketball games on Saturday at Dallas Center-Grimes. Centennial's Scott DeJong coached the team along with Kylee Boettcher of Panorama. White scored 10 points as Southwest Iowa defeated the Northwest Iowa … [Read more...] about Clark, White help SW Iowa team to crown at Pizza Ranch All-Star games
‘CCU has just what I was looking for’: White to join Phipps at Division II school
Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball standout Kennedy White is following in the footsteps of another ex-Jaguar. White has committed to play for Colorado Christian University, an NCAA Division II school in Lakewood, Colo. One of her new teammates will be Maggie Phipps, who was an all-state guard at Centennial two years ago. "I talked to Maggie about CCU … [Read more...] about ‘CCU has just what I was looking for’: White to join Phipps at Division II school
After leading Jaguars to semifinals, Pratt named to Class 5A all-tournament team
Sophomore forward Jaeden Pratt of Ankeny Centennial has been named to the Class 5A all-tournament team at the girls' state basketball tournament in Des Moines. Pratt was honored on Friday night following the Class 5A championship game at Wells Fargo Arena. She averaged 9.5 points and 5.5 rebounds while leading the Jaguars to the semifinals of the … [Read more...] about After leading Jaguars to semifinals, Pratt named to Class 5A all-tournament team