Ankeny Fanatic

Your Ankeny Sports Resource

Winter

‘It was a tough one’: Centennial boys tumble to No. 3 Ames in substate final

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In order to reach the state tournament, the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team needed a couple breaks to go its way. It didn't help when junior guard Caden Kelling re-injured his ankle shortly after entering Tuesday's Class 4A substate final against third-ranked Ames. Later, senior forward Colin McAleer took a hard fall and briefly left the game, but … [Read more...] about ‘It was a tough one’: Centennial boys tumble to No. 3 Ames in substate final

MARCH MADNESS BEGINS: Jaguars erase 14-point deficit, top Rams at buzzer

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March Madness is off to a roaring start at Wells Fargo Arena. Jackie Pippett scored the winning basket at the buzzer to give the fifth-ranked Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team a 47-45 victory over No. 4 Southeast Polk in the Class 5A quarterfinals on Monday. "I really didn't even think I was going to get the ball," said Pippett. "But I did, and … [Read more...] about MARCH MADNESS BEGINS: Jaguars erase 14-point deficit, top Rams at buzzer

Pippett’s buzzer-beater caps Jaguars’ amazing rally to beat S.E. Polk

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Holy comeback. For the second straight game, the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team pulled off an amazing rally. Jackie Pippett scored the winning basket as time expired and the fifth-ranked Jaguars overcame a 14-point deficit to beat No. 4 Southeast Polk, 47-45, in the quarterfinals of the Class 5A state tournament on Monday at Wells Fargo … [Read more...] about Pippett’s buzzer-beater caps Jaguars’ amazing rally to beat S.E. Polk

State tourney preview: Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for the Class 5A quarterfinals

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The girls' state basketball tournament gets under way at Wells Fargo Arena with the Class 5A quarterfinals on Monday. We already know that at least one team from the CIML will advance to Friday night's championship game. Top-ranked Waukee is joined in the top half of the bracket by Dowling Catholic, Southeast Polk and Ankeny Centennial. No. 2 Johnston … [Read more...] about State tourney preview: Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for the Class 5A quarterfinals

Jaguars fight off Indianola’s upset bid, advance to substate final against Ames

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It took awhile for the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team to fight off a pesky Indianola squad in a Class 4A substate semifinal on Friday. The visiting Indians battled Centennial to a 28-28 halftime tie before the eighth-ranked Jaguars used an 18-0 run in the second half to pull away for a 71-53 victory. "We just had to get it going," said … [Read more...] about Jaguars fight off Indianola’s upset bid, advance to substate final against Ames

‘We just hung in there’: Jaguars overcome 18-point deficit, earn trip to state

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Scott DeJong has had some amazing wins in his legendary coaching career. Tuesday's victory over Des Moines Roosevelt would have to be near the top of his list. The fifth-ranked Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team erased an 18-point deficit to beat No. 11 Des Moines Roosevelt, 44-42, in a Class 5A regional final at Centennial. The Jaguars advanced … [Read more...] about ‘We just hung in there’: Jaguars overcome 18-point deficit, earn trip to state

Jaguars use epic comeback to edge Roosevelt, advance to state tourney

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The Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team is headed to the state tournament for the third time in school history. It took an epic comeback for the Jaguars to survive and advance. Fifth-ranked Centennial rallied from an 18-point deficit to beat No. 11 Des Moines Roosevelt, 44-42, in a Class 5A regional final on Tuesday at Centennial. Maggie Phipps … [Read more...] about Jaguars use epic comeback to edge Roosevelt, advance to state tourney

Jaguars shut down Urbandale, will host No. 11 Roosevelt in regional final

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Scott DeJong knows that his Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team isn't always going to shoot the lights out. But when the fifth-ranked Jaguars defend like they did on Saturday night, it really doesn't matter. Centennial allowed just two points in the first 13 minutes of the game, built a 36-9 halftime lead and then cruised to a 52-32 victory over … [Read more...] about Jaguars shut down Urbandale, will host No. 11 Roosevelt in regional final

‘It feels amazing, but I want more’: Jags’ Cahill not satisfied with 5th-place finish

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After earning a fifth-place finish in the Class 3A state wrestling tournament on Saturday, Ankeny Centennial junior Carter Cahill is still hungry. "It feels amazing, but I want more," said Cahill. "Next year I'm certainly shooting for that state championship." The sixth-ranked Cahill posted a 7-2 decision over No. 10 Ryan Van Donselaar of Pella in the … [Read more...] about ‘It feels amazing, but I want more’: Jags’ Cahill not satisfied with 5th-place finish

Jaguars pull away from Urbandale, finish regular season with 13-4 record

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It's a good bet that the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team will be practicing special situations this week as the Jaguars prepare for the start of postseason play. In its regular-season finale on Friday, Centennial twice gave up a 3-point goal at the buzzer in the first half as visiting Urbandale managed to keep the game close, trailing by only … [Read more...] about Jaguars pull away from Urbandale, finish regular season with 13-4 record

Cahill avenges loss to Fort Dodge’s Cook, assures himself of top-six finish

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Ankeny Centennial's Carter Cahill didn't get down on himself after a first-round loss in the Class 3A state wrestling tournament on Thursday. The sixth-ranked Cahill has responded with three consecutive consolation victories at 160 pounds. He posted a 3-2 decision over No. 5 Kody Cook of Fort Dodge on Friday night at Wells Fargo Arena, assuring himself of … [Read more...] about Cahill avenges loss to Fort Dodge’s Cook, assures himself of top-six finish

Wiener advances to quarterfinals; 3 other Jaguars alive in consolation bracket

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Ankeny Centennial's Cael Wiener was a lot more relaxed heading into this year's Class 3A state wrestling tournament. He felt even better after advancing to Friday's quarterfinals. The eighth-ranked Wiener posted a 12-6 decision over No. 7 Nate Bierma of Valley in a first-round match at 113 pounds on Thursday at Wells Fargo Arena. He Improved his record … [Read more...] about Wiener advances to quarterfinals; 3 other Jaguars alive in consolation bracket

Blimpie Sub of the Week: Cody Vandermark, Centennial wrestling

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Freshman Cody Vandermark is a member of the Ankeny Centennial wrestling team. He helped the Jaguars to a 16-7 dual record this season. "Cody is an undersized 106-pounder--he weighs 93 pounds--who has subbed for us at 106 numerous times, often on short notice," said Centennial coach Jay Groth. "He works his tail off." Vandermark closed out his season on … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Cody Vandermark, Centennial wrestling

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Carter Cahill, Ankeny Centennial wrestling

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Junior Carter Cahill is one of six state qualifiers for the Ankeny Centennial wrestling team. Cahill, who is ranked sixth in Class 3A at 160 pounds, placed second in a district tournament on Saturday at Marshalltown. Cahill currently boasts a 26-8 record. He will meet Kacey Ross of Urbandale (24-4) in the opening round of the state tournament on Thursday … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Carter Cahill, Ankeny Centennial wrestling

Helmkamp wins district title, advances to state along with 5 other Jaguars

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Ankeny Centennial's Jackson Helmkamp and Cael Wiener are heading back to the state wrestling tournament at Wells Fargo Arena. Four of their teammates will be joining them. Helmkamp won a Class 3A district title on Saturday at Marshalltown to earn his third consecutive trip to state, while Wiener claimed runner-up honors to qualify for the second year … [Read more...] about Helmkamp wins district title, advances to state along with 5 other Jaguars

‘We came out with some really good energy’: Jaguars romp past Roosevelt

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Less than 48 hours after wrapping up the CIML Iowa Conference title, the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team started focusing on postseason play. The eighth-ranked Jaguars will have three non-conference games to get ready for substate action, beginning with Saturday's tilt against visiting Des Moines Roosevelt. Centennial raced out to a 41-17 lead … [Read more...] about ‘We came out with some really good energy’: Jaguars romp past Roosevelt

‘It feels good to be conference champs’: Louis leads Jaguars past Mason City

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The Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team badly needed a victory on Thursday night. Thanks to some prolific shooting from Chris Louis, the eighth-ranked Jaguars easily achieved their goal. Louis scored a career-high 24 points as Centennial rolled to an 84-50 victory at Mason City, allowing the Jaguars to snap a three-game losing skid and clinch the … [Read more...] about ‘It feels good to be conference champs’: Louis leads Jaguars past Mason City

Centennial girls close out regular season with 76-35 victory at Mason City

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Because of COVID-19 issues, it hasn't been a perfect season for the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team. But that didn't stop the fifth-ranked Jaguars from completing a perfect run through their CIML Iowa Conference schedule. Centennial raced out to a 40-12 halftime lead and cruised to a 76-35 victory at Mason City on Thursday. The Jaguars, who … [Read more...] about Centennial girls close out regular season with 76-35 victory at Mason City

Jaguars use JV lineup, fall to No. 3 Waukee in final at regional duals

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The Ankeny Centennial wrestlers decided to play it safe on Wednesday night. Using a lineup of junior varsity matmen, the Jaguars posted a 46-9 victory over Dallas Center-Grimes in a Class 3A regional dual before dropping an 81-0 decision to host Waukee in the final round. The third-ranked Warriors advanced to next week's state duals tournament at Wells … [Read more...] about Jaguars use JV lineup, fall to No. 3 Waukee in final at regional duals