After suffering through a four-game losing streak, the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team is now riding a three-game winning streak. But the latest win on Friday against visiting Mason City didn't come easily. The Jaguars finally prevailed, 89-82, in double overtime, overcoming a 38-point performance by Mason City's Cory Miner. "Mason City … [Read more...] about Kelling’s monster game allows Jaguars to hold off Mason City, Miner in double OT
Winter
Late rally allows Centennial wrestlers to edge No. 5 Fort Dodge, 36-32
The Ankeny Centennial wrestlers rallied for a 36-32 victory over visiting Fort Dodge in a CIML Iowa Conference dual meet on Thursday. The fifth-ranked Dodgers held a 32-15 lead with four matches left, but Centennial then answered with four straight wins--including three falls--to pull out the win. The Jaguars improved to 4-1 in the league and 12-9 … [Read more...] about Late rally allows Centennial wrestlers to edge No. 5 Fort Dodge, 36-32
Business-like Jaguars roll to 76-33 win at Fort Dodge behind strong bench effort
Bob Fontana has been waiting for his Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team to put together a complete game. He got one on Thursday night at Fort Dodge. The Jaguars made 9-of-17 attempts from 3-point range and rolled to a 76-33 victory in a CIML Iowa Conference make-up game. They improved to 3-4 in the league and 5-6 overall, while Fort Dodge's … [Read more...] about Business-like Jaguars roll to 76-33 win at Fort Dodge behind strong bench effort
Murray scores career-high 26, leads Jaguars to hard-fought win at Fort Dodge
Cleao Murray poured in a career-high 26 points and the fourth-ranked Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team pulled away in the fourth quarter for a 57-51 victory at Fort Dodge on Thursday. Murray's previous high of 20 points came in a win over Des Moines East two years ago. "She really kept us in the game in the first half," said Centennial coach … [Read more...] about Murray scores career-high 26, leads Jaguars to hard-fought win at Fort Dodge
Jaguars get ‘a little shot in the arm’, knock off Hoover to end losing streak
The Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team got a much-needed victory on Tuesday with a 50-41 win over visiting Des Moines Hoover in a non-conference game. The Jaguars (4-6) had lost their four previous games--all of them to ranked opponents--by an average of 18.5 points. "It was a little shot in the arm, especially with two more games coming up on … [Read more...] about Jaguars get ‘a little shot in the arm’, knock off Hoover to end losing streak
No. 4 Centennial girls romp to 75-17 victory, keep Huskies winless on season
Tuesday's non-conference game against visiting Des Moines Hoover wasn't expected to be much of a test for the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team. And it wasn't. The fourth-ranked Jaguars jumped out to a 20-0 lead in the first quarter, built a 43-3 advantage at halftime and cruised to a 75-17 victory over their winless opponent. "The game … [Read more...] about No. 4 Centennial girls romp to 75-17 victory, keep Huskies winless on season
Groth earns 400th career victory as Jaguars top Clear Lake at Osage Duals
Chalk up another accomplishment for Ankeny Centennial wrestling coach Jay Groth. Groth earned his 400th career victory during the Osage Duals on Saturday. He reached the milestone with a 56-16 victory over Clear Lake, which came against former Jaguars' assistant coach Evan Johnson. "That was nice, and it was nice of Osage to say something about it," … [Read more...] about Groth earns 400th career victory as Jaguars top Clear Lake at Osage Duals
Bennett ‘outfunks’ Bobcats’ Hageman, helps Centennial to 55-15 road triumph
Ankeny Centennial wrestling coach Jay Groth describes senior Carter Bennett as a funky wrestler. On Thursday at Marshalltown, Bennett ran into a funky opponent. Bennett, who is ranked 12th in Class 3A at 138 pounds, moved up to 145 and posted a 17-8 major decision over Luke Hageman. The win helped the Jaguars to a 55-15 victory in a CIML Iowa … [Read more...] about Bennett ‘outfunks’ Bobcats’ Hageman, helps Centennial to 55-15 road triumph
Central Bank Athlete of the Month: Makenna Clark, Ankeny Centennial junior
The guard erupted for 20 points to lead the Jaguars to a 57-37 victory over visiting Ankeny in a CIML Iowa Conference girls' basketball showdown. … [Read more...] about Central Bank Athlete of the Month: Makenna Clark, Ankeny Centennial junior
‘We saw a lot of things that we need to work on’: Jaguars finish 16th at The Clash
The Ankeny Centennial wrestling team got off to a good start in The Clash on Friday at LaCrosse, Wis. The rest of the tournament didn't go as well for the Jaguars. After opening the two-day event with a 42-25 victory over Glenbard North (Ill.), Centennial dropped its next two dual meets in the preliminary round. The Jaguars then lost to all three of … [Read more...] about ‘We saw a lot of things that we need to work on’: Jaguars finish 16th at The Clash
Without injured Robinson, Centennial boys drop 58-38 decision to No. 1 Ames
Friday's game against top-ranked Ames was already going to be a huge challenge for the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team. It became an even more daunting task when one of the Jaguars' top players, sophomore center Reece Robinson, was unable to play. "Reece sprained his toe on Tuesday, and I just wanted to do what was in the best interest of that … [Read more...] about Without injured Robinson, Centennial boys drop 58-38 decision to No. 1 Ames
‘The game was a little bit personal’: White leads Jaguars past her former team
A year ago, Kennedy White played a key role for an Ames girls' basketball team that won nine games. On Friday, White got a chance to play against her former teammates. The junior post player had 16 points, six rebounds and one block to lead seventh-ranked Ankeny Centennial to a 71-10 victory over the visiting Little Cyclones. "I definitely enjoyed … [Read more...] about ‘The game was a little bit personal’: White leads Jaguars past her former team
‘It wasn’t pretty’: Jaguars overcome slow start, avenge loss to Waukee Northwest
The Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball program is known for its trademark defense. Tuesday's game against visiting Waukee Northwest was a textbook example of how the Jaguars can win even when they are struggling to score. Seventh-ranked Centennial overcame a 14-7 halftime deficit to defeat No. 11 Northwest, 33-25, in a CIML Iowa Conference game at … [Read more...] about ‘It wasn’t pretty’: Jaguars overcome slow start, avenge loss to Waukee Northwest
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 165
Ankeny Centennial wrestling coach Jay Groth joins two of his top matmen, Carter Cahill and Zach English, as the guests on the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by Coldwell Banker Mid-America. … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 165
Jaguars sputter offensively, suffer 2nd straight loss to No. 4 Waukee Northwest
It's back to the drawing board for the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team. The Jaguars, who struggled defensively in an 80-58 loss at fourth-ranked Waukee Northwest two weeks ago, played better at that end of the floor in a rematch against the visiting Wolves on Tuesday. But this time, Centennial sputtered offensively. The Jaguars shot just 32.7 … [Read more...] about Jaguars sputter offensively, suffer 2nd straight loss to No. 4 Waukee Northwest
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Averi Porter, Centennial girls’ basketball
Junior guard Averi Porter has helped the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team to a 6-2 record. She is averaging 6.5 points per game. Porter is shooting 30.8 percent from 3-point range (8-of-26). She is tied for the team lead in assists with 19. Here is some inside info on Porter: How is the season going thus far? We are off to a strong start … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Averi Porter, Centennial girls’ basketball
Wolves overcome 10-point deficit against Centennial girls with 30-9 run in 2nd half
After getting off to a slow start, the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team rallied to take an 18-14 halftime lead at Waukee Northwest in a top-10 matchup on Tuesday. "We felt really good that we were up at halftime the way that we played," said Centennial coach Scott DeJong. The Jaguars felt even better after they scored the first six points of … [Read more...] about Wolves overcome 10-point deficit against Centennial girls with 30-9 run in 2nd half
‘We have got to shore up our defense’: Jaguars allow 10 3-pointers in loss to NW
It's no secret where the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team needs to make the most progress over the holiday break. It's at the defensive end of the floor. Fourth-ranked Waukee Northwest made 10-of-22 3-point attempts and rolled to an 80-58 victory over the visiting Jaguars on Tuesday. The Wolves moved into sole possession of first place in the … [Read more...] about ‘We have got to shore up our defense’: Jaguars allow 10 3-pointers in loss to NW
HOLY FORFEITS!: Jaguars capitalize on 10 open weights, roll to victory over Ames
Any fans of the Ankeny Centennial wrestling team who showed up late for Tuesday's dual meet against visiting Ames may have missed it. The Jaguars remained unbeaten with a 72-9 victory, getting most of their points via forfeits. Only four of the 14 scheduled matches were actually contested. "The Ames coach messaged me on Sunday and said they were going … [Read more...] about HOLY FORFEITS!: Jaguars capitalize on 10 open weights, roll to victory over Ames
Jaguars place 2nd at Fort Dodge behind individual champs Hron, Cahill, English
The Ankeny Centennial wrestlers came away with three individual titles on Saturday in the Don Miller Invitational at Fort Dodge. It just wasn't quite enough to earn the team crown for the Jaguars. Creston/Orient Macksburg claimed the overall title with 195.5 points. Centennial finished second in the 12-team field with 191. "They snuck up on us … [Read more...] about Jaguars place 2nd at Fort Dodge behind individual champs Hron, Cahill, English