Ankeny Fanatic

Your Ankeny Sports Resource

Girls' Basketball

‘Very athletic’ Jags to rely on 3 returning seniors, large sophomore group

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Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball coach Scott DeJong always relies heavily on his seniors. This year, DeJong has a trio of senior starters with a lot of experience on the court. Guards Makenna Clark and Averi Porter both played key roles on last year's team along with post player Kennedy White, helping the Jaguars to a 20-4 record and a second … [Read more...] about ‘Very athletic’ Jags to rely on 3 returning seniors, large sophomore group

Centennial’s Porter chooses basketball over soccer, will play for William Jewell

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Senior Averi Porter has been a multi-sport standout at Ankeny Centennial, competing in basketball, soccer and track. Now, she just wants to focus on one sport at the collegiate level. Porter announced on Thursday that she will play basketball next year at William Jewell College, an NCAA Division II school in Liberty, Mo. "I'm very excited to … [Read more...] about Centennial’s Porter chooses basketball over soccer, will play for William Jewell

‘I knew it was the best place for me!’: Clark commits to play for Wayne State

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Ankeny Centennial's Makenna Clark has committed to play basketball at Wayne State College, beginning in the fall of 2023. The junior guard made her decision after visiting Wayne State and a few other schools. "The coaching staff was very welcoming, and when I left the visit, I knew it was the best place for me!" Clark said. Clark averaged 6.2 points … [Read more...] about ‘I knew it was the best place for me!’: Clark commits to play for Wayne State

‘We knew it was a tough draw’: Talented Wahawks end Centennial’s bid for crown

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The Class 5A field for this year's girls' state basketball tournament might be one of the best ever. It's certainly the deepest. Sixth-ranked Waterloo West showed that it may be the most talented team in Class 5A with a 67-59 victory over No. 3 Ankeny Centennial in the quarterfinals on Monday at Wells Fargo Arena. The Wahawks (22-2) advanced to … [Read more...] about ‘We knew it was a tough draw’: Talented Wahawks end Centennial’s bid for crown

Wahawks top Centennial 25 years after Ankeny’s epic five-OT win against West

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Before they coached against each other on Monday at Wells Fargo Arena, girls' basketball coaches Scott DeJong of Ankeny Centennial and Dr. Anthony Pappas of Waterloo West had a few moments to reminisce. It was 25 years ago that the two coaches battled in an epic state tournament game at Veterans Memorial Auditorium, which was also known as "The … [Read more...] about Wahawks top Centennial 25 years after Ankeny’s epic five-OT win against West

‘We left it all out on the court’: Jaguars fall to hot-shooting Waterloo West, 67-59

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The Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team didn't go down without a fight. The third-ranked Jaguars made several runs in the second half but came up short against No. 6 Waterloo West, 67-59, in the quarterfinals of the Class 5A state tournament on Monday at Wells Fargo Arena. "I think we left it all out on the court," said Centennial senior Cleao … [Read more...] about ‘We left it all out on the court’: Jaguars fall to hot-shooting Waterloo West, 67-59

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Elle Street, Centennial girls’ basketball

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Senior guard Elle Street has helped the third-ranked Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team to a 20-3 record and a berth in this week's Class 5A state tournament at Wells Fargo Arena. The Jaguars advanced to state for the second year in a row with a 46-41 victory over visiting Sioux City East in a regional final on Wednesday. Street, who has committed … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Elle Street, Centennial girls’ basketball

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

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A year ago, Waukee stormed to the Class 5A girls' basketball title in dominant fashion, winning its three games at Wells Fargo Arena by 23, 21 and 28 points. Now, another CIML school is poised to make some history as well. Top-ranked Johnston, which won the state championship in 2020 before losing a title-game rematch against Waukee last year, enters … [Read more...] about State tourney preview: Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for the Class 5A quarterfinals

‘There’s nothing like it!’: Centennial girls are headed back to Wells Fargo Arena

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Ankeny Centennial's Cleao Murray stood at the charity stripe in the final seconds of Wednesday's game against visiting Sioux City East with a chance to send her team to the girls' state basketball tournament. She wasn't going to let this opportunity slip away. Murray made four straight free throws in the final 7.8 seconds and the third-ranked Jaguars … [Read more...] about ‘There’s nothing like it!’: Centennial girls are headed back to Wells Fargo Arena

After their bus breaks down, Bobcats get thumped by Centennial in regional game

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Scott DeJong told his Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball players to be prepared for anything prior to Saturday's Class 5A regional semifinal against visiting Marshalltown. That turned out to be some good advice. The Bobcats arrived late for the game after their bus broke down on the way to Ankeny. The contest started about 30 minutes later than … [Read more...] about After their bus breaks down, Bobcats get thumped by Centennial in regional game

White’s perfect shooting night leads Jaguars past Dowling in top-5 showdown

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With each victory, the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team appears to be more and more ready for postseason play. The third-ranked Jaguars extended their winning streak to 12 games with a 41-31 triumph over No. 5 Dowling Catholic in a non-conference game on Tuesday. Fans of both teams packed into the Centennial gym for the top-five showdown. "The … [Read more...] about White’s perfect shooting night leads Jaguars past Dowling in top-5 showdown

‘They’re in a different league’: Dragons roll past Ankeny despite Jacks’ 21 points

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The Class 5A regional girls' basketball pairings are expected to be announced in the next couple of days. Ankeny coach Dru McAnelly is probably hoping not to see top-ranked Johnston in the Hawkettes' bracket. The host Dragons improved their record to 19-0 with a 79-49 victory over No. 12 Ankeny in a non-conference game on Monday. Only one opponent, No. … [Read more...] about ‘They’re in a different league’: Dragons roll past Ankeny despite Jacks’ 21 points

‘We’re just trying to get better’: Jaguars roll past Ames, clinch share of CIML title

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Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball coach Scott DeJong isn't too worried about the CIML Iowa Conference race. He's more concerned about the bigger picture. "We're just trying to get better and if the conference (title) comes along the way, that's great," DeJong said. The third-ranked Jaguars clinched at least a share of the league crown with a 53-15 … [Read more...] about ‘We’re just trying to get better’: Jaguars roll past Ames, clinch share of CIML title

Jaguars’ winning streak reaches 10 games with rout over Marshalltown

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The winning streak for the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team has reached double digits. The third-ranked Jaguars rolled to their 10th straight victory with a 59-6 win over visiting Marshalltown on Thursday. It was their second triumph over the Bobcats in the last seven days after posting a 66-23 victory at Marshalltown on Friday. Centennial … [Read more...] about Jaguars’ winning streak reaches 10 games with rout over Marshalltown

On Senior Night, Jaguars overcome some poor shooting to defeat Waukee

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It's been a long winter already for Ankeny Centennial senior Olivia Anderson. Anderson has missed her final basketball season due to a knee injury that she suffered while playing volleyball in the fall, but she got an opportunity to take the court one last time on Tuesday. Anderson started for the Jaguars in their Senior Night game against visiting … [Read more...] about On Senior Night, Jaguars overcome some poor shooting to defeat Waukee

Centennial girls cruise to another easy win, take control of conference race

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The Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team may not need any help to win the CIML Iowa Conference title. But the Jaguars got some anyway. While third-ranked Centennial rolled to a 66-23 victory at Marshalltown on Friday, No. 12 Waukee Northwest posted a 63-25 win over No. 10 Ankeny to hand the Hawkettes a second loss in league play. The Jaguars, … [Read more...] about Centennial girls cruise to another easy win, take control of conference race

‘Business-like’ Jaguars rout East girls, extend winning streak to 7 games

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Ankeny Centennial's Kennedy White racked up a double-double of 12 points and 10 rebounds during the first half of Tuesday's non-conference girls' basketball game at Des Moines East. White finished with 13 points, outscoring the Scarlets all by herself in fourth-ranked Centennial's 82-8 victory. Five of her teammates also outscored the entire East … [Read more...] about ‘Business-like’ Jaguars rout East girls, extend winning streak to 7 games

Centennial girls romp past Mason City, maintain sole possession of first place

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The Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team showed no signs of fatigue on Friday after playing a game at Fort Dodge just 24 hours earlier. The fourth-ranked Jaguars rolled to a 67-17 victory over visiting Mason City to maintain sole possession of first place in the CIML Iowa Conference. They improved to 7-1 in the league and 12-2 overall, while Mason … [Read more...] about Centennial girls romp past Mason City, maintain sole possession of first place