Ankeny Fanatic

Your Ankeny Sports Resource

Winter

‘We were right there with them’: Jaguars falter in final 2 minutes at No. 1 Johnston

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For nearly 30 minutes, the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team went toe-to-toe with the state's No. 1 squad. It was the final 120 seconds, though, that proved to be a different story. Johnston used a late 10-0 run to defeat the No. 5 Jaguars, 48-39, in a non-conference game on Tuesday at the Dragons' gym. "I thought we competed really hard, and … [Read more...] about ‘We were right there with them’: Jaguars falter in final 2 minutes at No. 1 Johnston

A TWO-WAY STREET: Centennial senior to play basketball, soccer at Simpson

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Ankeny Centennial senior Elle Street wanted to play basketball in college. She also wanted to play soccer. Luckily for her, she didn't have to make a choice. Street has verbally committed to play both sports for Simpson College next year. She announced her decision via Twitter on Monday. "I mainly kept my options open so I was looking at just … [Read more...] about A TWO-WAY STREET: Centennial senior to play basketball, soccer at Simpson

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Drew Dunn, Ankeny Centennial wrestling

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Senior Drew Dunn is one of six returning state qualifiers for the Ankeny Centennial wrestling team. He posted a 20-17 record last year at 132 pounds. Dunn, who was 10th at 145 in the Class 3A preseason rankings by IAWrestle.com, has helped his team to a 5-0 dual mark this season. The Jaguars won the Centennial Duals on Saturday for the fifth straight … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Drew Dunn, Ankeny Centennial wrestling

Jaguars roll past Osky, ADM, Carlisle to win 5th straight Centennial Duals title

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The Ankeny Centennial Duals was reduced to a quadrangular wrestling tournament on Saturday due to the absence of a couple of teams. The host Jaguars still won the event for the fifth straight year. Centennial easily defeated all three of its opponents to raise its overall record to 5-0. The Jaguars rolled to a 65-9 victory over Oskaloosa, followed with … [Read more...] about Jaguars roll past Osky, ADM, Carlisle to win 5th straight Centennial Duals title

Jaguars edge Ottumwa wrestlers on wins by Bennett, Dunn in final 2 matches

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The Ankeny Centennial wrestlers needed a late rally to defeat visiting Ottumwa, 39-36, in a non-conference dual meet on Thursday. Carter Bennett recorded a fall at 138 pounds to tie the score at 36-36 heading into the final match. Tenth-ranked Drew Dunn then posted a 7-2 decision at 145 over Braylon Griffiths, winning the matchup of state qualifiers from … [Read more...] about Jaguars edge Ottumwa wrestlers on wins by Bennett, Dunn in final 2 matches

Jaguars outlast Lincoln after Bryan’s 3-pointer with 1.6 seconds left forces OT

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Evan Bryan made a 3-point goal with 1.6 seconds left to force overtime and the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team went on to post a 72-66 victory at Des Moines Lincoln in a non-conference game on Tuesday. The Jaguars outscored Lincoln, 13-7, in the extra period. "Our kids handled the late-game situations well at the end of regulation and … [Read more...] about Jaguars outlast Lincoln after Bryan’s 3-pointer with 1.6 seconds left forces OT

Centennial girls deliver early knockout punch, roll to victory over Railsplitters

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The Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team jumped out to a 20-0 lead in the first quarter of Tuesday's non-conference game at Des Moines Lincoln. The Railsplitters never recovered from the knockout punch. Centennial extended its advantage to 34-3 at halftime and 42-3 after three quarters before coasting to a 45-12 victory. The eighth-ranked Jaguars … [Read more...] about Centennial girls deliver early knockout punch, roll to victory over Railsplitters

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Caden Kelling, Centennial boys’ basketball

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Senior guard Caden Kelling had six points and five assists to help the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team to a 79-46 victory over visiting Fort Dodge on Friday. The Jaguars are off to a 1-1 start. Kelling averaged 7.9 points and 2.0 rebounds as a junior, when he helped Centennial to a 14-5 mark. Here is some inside info on Kelling: Your team … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Caden Kelling, Centennial boys’ basketball

Jaguars place 3rd at Mustang Invitational behind champions Hron, Cahill, English

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Ankeny Centennial's varsity wrestling lineup could undergo a lot of changes before the end of the season. The one that the Jaguars have right now is already pretty good. Centennial placed third among 14 teams in the Mustang Invitational on Saturday at Dallas Center-Grimes. The Jaguars finished with 174 points. "As a team we have a lot of room for … [Read more...] about Jaguars place 3rd at Mustang Invitational behind champions Hron, Cahill, English

Jaguars rebound from season-opening loss, rout Fort Dodge in league opener

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The Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball players were anxious to put Tuesday's disappointing season-opening loss to Southeast Polk in the rearview mirror. Maybe the Jaguars were too anxious. After a ragged start, Centennial pulled away for a 79-46 victory over visiting Fort Dodge in its CIML Iowa Conference opener on Friday. "We got off to a little … [Read more...] about Jaguars rebound from season-opening loss, rout Fort Dodge in league opener

‘I was really feeling my shot’: Clark scores 22 points, leads Jaguars past Fort Dodge

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Ankeny Centennial's Makenna Clark had scored a total of 19 points in her first three games of the season. It took her less than a half on Friday to surpass that total. Clark made five 3-point goals and scored 21 points in the first two quarters as the eighth-ranked Jaguars built a 36-13 halftime lead against visiting Fort Dodge and went on to post a … [Read more...] about ‘I was really feeling my shot’: Clark scores 22 points, leads Jaguars past Fort Dodge

‘We wanted to go out and make a statement’: Jaguars romp past Waukee

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Thursday's season opener was a smashing success for the Ankeny Centennial wrestlers. The Jaguars recorded eight falls and rolled to a 60-18 victory over visiting Waukee in a non-conference dual meet. "It was a good start for us," said Centennial coach Jay Groth. "We got a pin in the first seven matches--most of them in the first period, so that was … [Read more...] about ‘We wanted to go out and make a statement’: Jaguars romp past Waukee

‘We’ve got to learn from it and move on’: Jaguars lose big lead, fall to S.E. Polk

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Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball coach Bob Fontana has won a lot of big games in his career. Tuesday's season-opening contest against visiting Southeast Polk may have been one of his most disappointing losses. The Jaguars built a 42-27 lead in the second half and still held a nine-point lead after three quarters before Southeast Polk opened the final … [Read more...] about ‘We’ve got to learn from it and move on’: Jaguars lose big lead, fall to S.E. Polk

Jaguars shut down Dailey, lead from start to finish in victory over No. 5 S.E. Polk

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The Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team struggled at the free-throw line during Tuesday's game against visiting Southeast Polk, making just 16-of-29 attempts. But the way the Jaguars were defending, it didn't matter. Ninth-ranked Centennial led from start to finish and posted a 45-38 victory over the No. 5 Rams. The Jaguars improved to 3-0 on the … [Read more...] about Jaguars shut down Dailey, lead from start to finish in victory over No. 5 S.E. Polk

‘It should be a fun year’: Jaguars boast 6 returning state qualifiers

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Thursday will be a special night for Ankeny Centennial wrestling coach Jay Groth. The Jaguars will open their season by hosting a dual meet against Waukee. "It will be the first time in my career that I will face a former wrestler of mine as a head coach," said Groth. "John Meeks wrestled at Des Moines Roosevelt when I was coaching there (and was a … [Read more...] about ‘It should be a fun year’: Jaguars boast 6 returning state qualifiers

Jaguars make nine 3-pointers, cruise to 42-point victory at Urbandale

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The ball was falling through the hoop on Friday for the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team. The ninth-ranked Jaguars found their shooting stroke in a 58-16 victory at Urbandale. They raised their record to 2-0 on the season, while the J-Hawks dropped to 0-2. "We shot the ball well," said Centennial coach Scott DeJong. "We hadn't done that in the … [Read more...] about Jaguars make nine 3-pointers, cruise to 42-point victory at Urbandale

‘Our seniors need to step up and lead’: Jaguars to lean on trio of returnees

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It's going to be a challenge for the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team to win a third consecutive conference title. The Jaguars posted a 14-5 record a year ago and captured the CIML Iowa Conference crown, but all-state guard Jaron Crews and three other starters have graduated. Ames, which posted a 57-37 victory over Centennial in a Class 4A … [Read more...] about ‘Our seniors need to step up and lead’: Jaguars to lean on trio of returnees

‘We were happy to get out of there’: Jaguars win opener over improved North

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A matchup against Des Moines North used to be an easy win for most girls' basketball teams in the CIML. Ankeny Centennial found out on Tuesday in its season opener that this year's version of the Polar Bears is different. The ninth-ranked Jaguars pulled away in the second half for a 44-30 road victory, but North showed that it's going to be a lot more … [Read more...] about ‘We were happy to get out of there’: Jaguars win opener over improved North

No. 9 Jaguars return experienced guards, add talented post player from Ames

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Some high school basketball teams are fortunate to have two good ballhandlers. The Ankeny Centennial girls' squad is blessed to have four veteran guards who can share the ballhandling duties. Seniors Cleao Murray and Elle Street along with juniors Makenna Clark and Averi Porter will form the nucleus of this year's roster. "Those four are the core of … [Read more...] about No. 9 Jaguars return experienced guards, add talented post player from Ames