Most December high school basketball games don't carry a lot of significance. That wasn't the case on Friday for the Ankeny Centennial boys' squad. The Jaguars needed to protect their home court in the rugged CIML Conference, and they also had a chance to make a statement with a victory over preseason No. 1 Valley. Centennial delivered on both … [Read more...] about ‘We can definitely be a contender’: Jags shut down defending 4A state champs
Winter
‘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
‘We set the tone right off the bat’: Jaguars build big lead, roll past Iowa City Liberty
Coming off a tough loss on Friday at Dowling Catholic, the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team got off to a fast start on Tuesday and never looked back. The Jaguars jumped out to a 22-5 lead in the first quarter against visiting Iowa City Liberty, built a 45-17 halftime advantage and rolled to a 70-48 victory in a non-conference game. "I thought we … [Read more...] about ‘We set the tone right off the bat’: Jaguars build big lead, roll past Iowa City Liberty
Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Haylee McGrew, Ankeny girls’ wrestling
Junior Haylee McGrew led the Ankeny girls' wrestling team to a fourth-place finish in the Dan Gable Donnybrook on Thursday and Friday at Xtream Arena in Coralville. McGrew placed second at 155 pounds. She currently boasts an 11-1 record. Here is some inside info on McGrew: What was your goal going into the tournament? Did you think you had a chance … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Haylee McGrew, Ankeny girls’ wrestling
McGrew earns runner-up honors, leads Ankeny to 4th-place finish at Donnybrook
The level of competition in the Dan Gable Donnybrook was every bit as tough as Dustin Roland expected. His Ankeny girls' wrestling team placed fourth among 43 squads in the two-day event that concluded on Friday at Xtream Arena in Coralville. Ankeny finished with 338 points. The tournament featured many of the top wrestlers in the Midwest. Decorah … [Read more...] about McGrew earns runner-up honors, leads Ankeny to 4th-place finish at Donnybrook
‘They took the fight to us and we just didn’t respond’: Dowling boys top Jaguars
(Story by Gabe Ploeger) The Dowling Catholic boys' basketball team got off to a hot start Friday and never cooled off. The Maroons made 5-of-8 3-point shots in the first quarter and went on to beat visiting Ankeny Centennial, 79-64, in a CIML Conference game. Both teams are now 1-1 in the league and overall. “Down 33 to 11 in the first half…we just … [Read more...] about ‘They took the fight to us and we just didn’t respond’: Dowling boys top Jaguars
‘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
‘It was a good road win’: Centennial boys top Urbandale on Fontana’s birthday
Bob Fontana celebrated his birthday on Tuesday with a season-opening victory. His Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team jumped out to an early lead and led all the way in a 64-51 win at Urbandale in a CIML Conference game. "It was a good road win and a good way to start the season," said Fontana. "You never know what to expect the first game. You're … [Read more...] about ‘It was a good road win’: Centennial boys top Urbandale on Fontana’s birthday
Ankeny girls rack up 7 falls, roll past Valley in CIML Conference opener
The Ankeny girls' wrestling team will find out in the next couple of days where it stands among the state's elite squads. Ankeny coach Dustin Roland was hoping that his team would be tested on Tuesday, but that didn't turn out to be the case. Roland's squad recorded seven falls and won five other matches by forfeit to beat Valley, 72-12, in its CIML … [Read more...] about Ankeny girls rack up 7 falls, roll past Valley in CIML Conference opener
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
‘We have talent and depth and numbers’: Jaguars boast 8 returning state qualifiers
A year ago, Ankeny Centennial advanced 12 wrestlers to the Class 3A state tournament--the most in school history. Now, eight of those 12 wrestlers are back, the most returning qualifiers the Jaguars have ever had under coach Jay Groth. "We are an experienced crew," Groth said. "We are working hard to raise the bar to get to the next level. We have a … [Read more...] about ‘We have talent and depth and numbers’: Jaguars boast 8 returning state qualifiers
Jaguars return 3 starters from state tourney team, led by all-stater Winkel
On paper, the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team returns some of the key players from last year's squad that posted a 16-8 record and qualified for the Class 4A state tournament. Centennial coach Bob Fontana knows, however, that another successful season is not guaranteed. "We do have a nucleus to build around and having experience can be … [Read more...] about Jaguars return 3 starters from state tourney team, led by all-stater Winkel
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
Cleveland, McGrew pin their way to titles, lead Ankeny to team crown at Nevada
After winning the Central Iowa Kickoff on Saturday at Nevada, the Ankeny girls' wrestling team has earned a little bit of a break. Ankeny won't compete again until Nov. 28, when it faces Valley in its CIML Conference opener at Johnston. "We have a number of girls banged up already this season so we are excited to have some recovery time over the … [Read more...] about Cleveland, McGrew pin their way to titles, lead Ankeny to team crown at Nevada
‘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
No. 7 Ankeny girls rout DC-G, then post 42-39 win over No. 1 Waverly-Shell Rock
A year ago, the Ankeny girls' wrestling team opened its inaugural season with a pair of losses to Dallas Center-Grimes and Waverly-Shell Rock. On Tuesday at Dallas Center-Grimes, Ankeny avenged those losses in impressive fashion. After opening the season with a 72-9 victory over Dallas Center-Grimes, seventh-ranked Ankeny then followed with a 42-39 win … [Read more...] about No. 7 Ankeny girls rout DC-G, then post 42-39 win over No. 1 Waverly-Shell Rock
Centennial point guard Winkel to play basketball next year at St. Cloud State
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
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
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