Ankeny Fanatic

Your Ankeny Sports Resource

Winter

Centennial point guard Winkel to play basketball next year at St. Cloud State

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Ankeny Centennial basketball standout Luke Winkel has made his college plans. The senior point guard announced on social media Monday that he will continue his career at St. Cloud State, an NCAA Division II program and a member of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. "Throughout the recruiting process, I met a lot of great people and had nice … [Read more...] about Centennial point guard Winkel to play basketball next year at St. Cloud State

‘It could be a special season’: Ankeny girls’ wrestling team sets higher goals

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The expectations have been raised for the Ankeny girls' wrestling program. Ankeny advanced eight wrestlers to the state tournament in its inaugural season and graduated just one of those qualifiers. The team has also added a pair of talented newcomers in freshman Hayden Bratland and junior Haylee McGrew, who both won matches over the second-ranked girls … [Read more...] about ‘It could be a special season’: Ankeny girls’ wrestling team sets higher goals

‘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

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Nick Vaske, Ankeny Centennial boys’ hoops

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Junior guard Nick Vaske helped the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team to a 16-8 record this season. He made 3-of-4 attempts from 3-point range and scored 10 points in the Jaguars' 55-37 loss to Waukee Northwest in the Class 4A quarterfinals on Wednesday at Wells Fargo Arena. Vaske started all 24 games, averaging 9.1 points and 4.5 rebounds. He shot … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Nick Vaske, Ankeny Centennial boys’ hoops

Cold shooting, foul trouble prove costly for Jaguars in loss to No. 3 Waukee NW

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Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball coach Bob Fontana tried to look on the bright side Wednesday following his team's season-ending loss at Wells Fargo Arena. "We can be sad that we didn't win today, but let's be dang glad that it happened because you'd much rather have your season end here than before you get here," said Fontana. "This is a resilient … [Read more...] about Cold shooting, foul trouble prove costly for Jaguars in loss to No. 3 Waukee NW

CLASS 4A QUARTERFINAL: Waukee Northwest 55, Ankeny Centennial 37

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The third time was not a charm for the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team. After losing twice to third-ranked Waukee Northwest during the regular season, the No. 10 Jaguars dropped a 55-37 decision to their CIML Conference rival in a Class 4A quarterfinal on Wednesday at Wells Fargo Arena. The Wolves (22-2) had won the first two meetings by scores of … [Read more...] about CLASS 4A QUARTERFINAL: Waukee Northwest 55, Ankeny Centennial 37

Boys’ state preview: Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for the Class 4A quarterfinals

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Last week, top-ranked Pleasant Valley capped off an undefeated season by winning the girls' Class 5A state basketball title. Now, the No. 1 Cedar Rapids Kennedy boys' team will try to accomplish the same feat. The Class 4A tournament gets under way Wednesday at Wells Fargo Arena. Whichever team cuts down the nets on Friday night will have to win three … [Read more...] about Boys’ state preview: Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for the Class 4A quarterfinals

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Drew Schreurs, Ankeny Centennial boys’ hoops

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Senior guard Drew Schreurs has helped the 10th-ranked Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team to a 16-7 record. He scored seven points and grabbed three rebounds to help his team to a 54-47 win over No. 8 Cedar Falls in a Class 4A substate final on Tuesday at Marshalltown, allowing the Jaguars to advance to the state tournament for the second time in school … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Drew Schreurs, Ankeny Centennial boys’ hoops

Centennial’s Bryan among 23 players named to IBCA academic all-state team

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Ankeny Centennial senior forward Evan Bryan has been named to the academic all-state team by the Iowa Basketball Coaches Association. He was one of 23 players selected to the squad by a panel from more than 120 applicants. Bryan has averaged 10.5 points and 4.0 rebounds per game while helping the 10th-ranked Jaguars to a 16-7 record. He is shooting a … [Read more...] about Centennial’s Bryan among 23 players named to IBCA academic all-state team

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

‘We’re on top of the world’: Jaguars rally past Cedar Falls, earn 2nd trip to state

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The Comeback Kids are headed to Wells Fargo Arena. The 10th-ranked Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team erased an early 10-point deficit and went on to defeat No. 8 Cedar Falls, 54-47, in a Class 4A substate final on Tuesday at Marshalltown. The Jaguars (16-7) advanced to the state tournament for the second time in school history. "It feels amazing … [Read more...] about ‘We’re on top of the world’: Jaguars rally past Cedar Falls, earn 2nd trip to state

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