Ankeny Fanatic

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Girls' Basketball

Centennial girls dominate boards, force 26 turnovers in victory at Urbandale

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

‘We just came up short’: Jaguars suffer late scoring drought, tumble to Johnston

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Thursday morning's Class 5A semifinal showdown between second-ranked Johnston and No. 6 Ankeny Centennial turned into a backyard brawl at the girls' state basketball tournament. Playing for the third time this season, the CIML Conference rivals waged a fierce defensive battle before the Dragons scored the final six points of the game to emerge with a … [Read more...] about ‘We just came up short’: Jaguars suffer late scoring drought, tumble to Johnston

An all-CIML title game?: Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for the Class 5A semifinals

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There was only one upset in Monday's Class 5A quarterfinals at the girls' state basketball tournament, where sixth-seeded Ankeny Centennial avenged last year's quarterfinal loss to Waterloo West with a 60-51 win over the No. 3 Wahawks. In the other three games, the higher seeds all won by an average of 17 points. Three teams from the CIML Conference--No. … [Read more...] about An all-CIML title game?: Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for the Class 5A semifinals

SWEET REVENGE: Jaguars oust No. 3 Waterloo West, will play Johnston next

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A year ago, the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team ended its season with a loss to Waterloo West in the Class 5A quarterfinals. On Monday at Wells Fargo Arena, the Jaguars returned the favor. Sixth-seeded Centennial got 20 points from senior guard Makenna Clark and defeated No. 3 Waterloo West, 60-51, on the opening day of the state … [Read more...] about SWEET REVENGE: Jaguars oust No. 3 Waterloo West, will play Johnston next

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Makenna Clark, Centennial girls’ hoops

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Senior guard Makenna Clark scored six points and grabbed six rebounds to help the sixth-ranked Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team to a 35-32 victory over No. 11 Linn-Mar (Marion) in a Class 5A regional final on Tuesday at Centennial. The Jaguars earned a third consecutive trip to the state tournament for the first time in school history. Clark is … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Makenna Clark, Centennial girls’ hoops

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

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In recent years, the Central Iowa Metropolitan League has dominated the girls' Class 5A state basketball tournament. Waukee cruised to the title in 2021, winning its three games at Wells Fargo Arena by an average of 24 points. Then, last year, Johnston reached the championship game for the third straight year and won its second crown in that span in … [Read more...] about State tourney preview: Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for the Class 5A quarterfinals

IT’S A THREEPEAT!: Centennial girls hold off Linn-Mar, earn another trip to state

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The seniors on the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team got one last chance to play on their home court Tuesday night. They didn't want it to be their final game. Kennedy White scored 11 points, Averi Porter dished out six assists and Makenna Clark made a pair of 3-point goals to help the sixth-ranked Jaguars to a 35-32 victory over No. 11 Linn-Mar … [Read more...] about IT’S A THREEPEAT!: Centennial girls hold off Linn-Mar, earn another trip to state

Jaguars rout Urbandale again, will host Linn-Mar for trip to 5A state tournament

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The Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team has never qualified for the state tournament in three consecutive seasons. The sixth-ranked Jaguars moved a step closer toward doing just that with a 60-19 victory over visiting Urbandale in a Class 5A regional semifinal on Saturday. They raced out to a 21-0 lead in the first quarter, built a 43-4 advantage at … [Read more...] about Jaguars rout Urbandale again, will host Linn-Mar for trip to 5A state tournament

Centennial girls knock off Wolves, earn 3rd-place finish in CIML Conference

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The Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team used a strong third quarter to pull away for a 54-45 victory at Waukee Northwest in its regular-season finale on Friday. The sixth-ranked Jaguars held a 26-23 lead at halftime. They then outscored Northwest in the third period, 16-9, to build a 42-32 advantage. The Wolves closed the gap to 44-41 in the … [Read more...] about Centennial girls knock off Wolves, earn 3rd-place finish in CIML Conference