When the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team posted a 50-41 victory over Des Moines Hoover on Jan. 18, the Huskies played without their leading scorer, Chase Henderson. The junior guard showed on Friday just how valuable he is. Henderson poured in a game-high 23 points despite battling some foul trouble and the Huskies avenged that loss with a … [Read more...] about ‘It was a tough game’: Jaguars close out season with loss to Hoover, Henderson
Winter
‘There’s nothing like it!’: Centennial girls are headed back to Wells Fargo Arena
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
Centennial’s Helmkamp, Cahill close out careers as two-time state placewinners
Ankeny Centennial coach Jay Groth has been blessed with some talented wrestlers in his nine years at the school. He'll now have to say goodbye to two of the best that he has coached. Seniors Carter Cahill and Jackson Helmkamp closed out their high school careers on Saturday at the consolation finals of the Class 3A state tournament at Wells Fargo … [Read more...] about Centennial’s Helmkamp, Cahill close out careers as two-time state placewinners
After their bus breaks down, Bobcats get thumped by Centennial in regional game
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
‘It was very disappointing’: Jaguars let lead slip away, fall in OT at Urbandale
A second-half scoring drought proved to be costly for the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team in its regular-season finale on Friday at Urbandale. The J-Hawks rallied from a 27-15 halftime deficit to forge a 44-44 tie at the end of regulation, then outscored No. 10 Centennial in overtime, 11-7, to post a 55-51 victory in the non-conference … [Read more...] about ‘It was very disappointing’: Jaguars let lead slip away, fall in OT at Urbandale
Centennial boys cruise past Polar Bears, raise their overall record to 12-8
Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball coach Bob Fontana went deeper into his bench on Tuesday night. Coming off a hard-fought win over Marshalltown 24 hours earlier, the 10th-ranked Jaguars went on the road and posted a 76-48 victory over Des Moines North in a non-conference contest. "We were able to play 10 or 11 kids throughout the game on a regular … [Read more...] about Centennial boys cruise past Polar Bears, raise their overall record to 12-8
No. 10 Centennial boys use late 10-1 run to hold off Marshalltown, Thomas
Chris Louis breathed a sigh of relief following Monday's boys' basketball game against visiting Marshalltown. The senior guard scored six consecutive points in the final minute as 10th-ranked Ankeny Centennial held off a late Bobcats' rally to post a 76-71 victory in a make-up CIML Iowa Conference contest. The Jaguars bounced back from an 81-79 … [Read more...] about No. 10 Centennial boys use late 10-1 run to hold off Marshalltown, Thomas
Centennial wrestlers top Norwalk at regional dual, then fall to No. 3 Wolves
A week ago, the Ankeny Centennial wrestling team closed out the regular season with a 39-35 loss to Waukee Northwest. The two squads met again on Wednesday with a lot more at stake. In the final of a regional dual at Northwest, the third-ranked Wolves posted a 45-21 victory over No. 13 Centennial to qualify for the state duals tournament. "We didn't … [Read more...] about Centennial wrestlers top Norwalk at regional dual, then fall to No. 3 Wolves
Centennial boys pull away in 4th quarter for 49-40 victory over Dowling
The Dowling Catholic boys' basketball team entered Tuesday's non-conference game at Ankeny Centennial with a 6-11 record. Centennial coach Bob Fontana wouldn't let his players be fooled by the Maroons' .353 winning percentage. "In the latest BC Moore rankings, Dowling had the toughest schedule in the state," Fontana said. "They've lost to a lot of … [Read more...] about Centennial boys pull away in 4th quarter for 49-40 victory over Dowling
White’s perfect shooting night leads Jaguars past Dowling in top-5 showdown
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
Hawks earn No. 1 seed in Substate 1; Jaguars are No. 2 seed in Substate 2
The sixth-ranked Ankeny boys' basketball team has been awarded the No. 1 seed in Class 4A Substate 1 by the Iowa High School Athletic Association, while No. 10 Ankeny Centennial is the No. 2 seed in Substate 2. Both teams will receive a first-round bye before hosting a semifinal game on Friday, Feb. 25 at 7 p.m. Ankeny (14-4) will host the winner of a … [Read more...] about Hawks earn No. 1 seed in Substate 1; Jaguars are No. 2 seed in Substate 2
‘They’re in a different league’: Dragons roll past Ankeny despite Jacks’ 21 points
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
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Jackson Snyder, Centennial boys’ hoops
Senior guard Jackson Snyder has helped the 10th-ranked Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team to a 9-7 record. He is averaging 9.4 points and 2.8 rebounds per game while shooting 35.7 percent from 3-point range (15-of-42). Snyder scored 15 points on Friday in the Jaguars' 44-37 loss at top-ranked Ames. He was a perfect 6-for-6 from the field, including … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Jackson Snyder, Centennial boys’ hoops
Without Lipsey, Little Cyclones hold off Centennial to clinch share of CIML crown
Bob Fontana wasn't sure how much his Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team had improved since the Jaguars lost to top-ranked Ames, 58-38, a month ago. Friday's rematch at Ames produced some mixed results. No. 10 Centennial battled Ames down to the wire before dropping a 44-37 decision, but the Little Cyclones earned the victory without their … [Read more...] about Without Lipsey, Little Cyclones hold off Centennial to clinch share of CIML crown
‘We’re just trying to get better’: Jaguars roll past Ames, clinch share of CIML title
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
Centennial wrestlers fall to Waukee NW, but could get rematch in regional duals
Ankeny Centennial wrestling coach Jay Groth spent 19 years coaching at Des Moines Roosevelt before he left to begin the Jaguars' program in 2013. On Thursday, Groth returned to Roosevelt for the first time as Centennial's coach. The Jaguars opened a double dual meet with a 74-6 victory over Roosevelt, recording seven pins along the way. "I might … [Read more...] about Centennial wrestlers fall to Waukee NW, but could get rematch in regional duals
Jaguars’ winning streak reaches 10 games with rout over Marshalltown
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
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
Snyder scores season-high 18 points, leads Jaguars past Davenport West
Ankeny Centennial's Jackson Snyder is going to wait until after the basketball season to undergo surgery for a torn labrum. The senior guard hasn't been slowed by the injury. Snyder sat out three games after getting hurt, then returned to the court on Friday and scored 12 points in the Jaguars' 80-75 victory at Marshalltown. On Saturday, he poured … [Read more...] about Snyder scores season-high 18 points, leads Jaguars past Davenport West
Centennial girls cruise to another easy win, take control of conference race
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