Ankeny Fanatic

Your Ankeny Sports Resource

Winter

Urbandale boys erase 12-point deficit, score with 4 seconds left to beat Jaguars

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After opening the season with three straight double-digit losses, the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team was in position to earn its first victory on Friday. The visiting Jaguars built a 34-22 lead at halftime before Urbandale closed the gap to 49-41 after three quarters. The J-Hawks then outscored Centennial in the final period, 17-8, and scored the … [Read more...] about Urbandale boys erase 12-point deficit, score with 4 seconds left to beat Jaguars

‘They set the tempo right away’: Maroons start fast, roll to win over Centennial boys

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The Dowling Catholic boys' basketball team led from start to finish in a 69-54 victory over visiting Ankeny Centennial on Tuesday. The Maroons jumped out to an early 8-2 advantage and eventually led by as many as 23 points. They improved to 2-0 in the CIML Conference and overall, while Centennial's records dropped to 0-3 and 0-3. Dowling had opened the … [Read more...] about ‘They set the tempo right away’: Maroons start fast, roll to win over Centennial boys

Ankeny girls record 5 falls, get big win from Bockes in 57-18 triumph over Valley

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The third-ranked Ankeny girls' wrestling team remained unbeaten in dual-meet competition with a 57-18 victory over Valley in its CIML Conference opener on Tuesday at Urbandale. Ankeny won six of the eight matches that were contested to raise its overall record to 4-0. "We were happy with the way we competed in the limited matches that we had," said … [Read more...] about Ankeny girls record 5 falls, get big win from Bockes in 57-18 triumph over Valley

‘We left it out there’: Jaguars’ rally falls short in 56-52 loss at No. 2 Dowling

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Don't be surprised if the two CIML Conference rivals who met on Tuesday at Dowling Catholic collide again in March at the girls' state basketball tournament. The second-ranked Maroons and No. 5 Ankeny Centennial both look primed to make deep postseason runs. "They're No. 2 for a reason, that's for sure," Centennial coach Scott DeJong said following his … [Read more...] about ‘We left it out there’: Jaguars’ rally falls short in 56-52 loss at No. 2 Dowling

‘We had a great couple of days’: Ankeny girls earn 3rd-place finish at Donnybrook

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The Dan Gable Donnybrook proved to be a valuable experience for the Ankeny girls' wrestling team. Third-ranked Ankeny placed third among 44 teams in the tournament on Thursday and Friday at Xtream Arena in Coralville, finishing with 277 points. Coach Dustin Roland's team had six top-10 finishers. "We had a great couple of days competing with some … [Read more...] about ‘We had a great couple of days’: Ankeny girls earn 3rd-place finish at Donnybrook

‘It was definitely a little bit weird’: Baldwin, Hawkettes defeat Valley for 4-0 start

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(Story by Stephen McDaniel) For junior forward Reagan Baldwin, it felt a little weird being the opposition rather than the home team inside the Valley High School gym. Baldwin, who transferred to Ankeny from Valley after her sophomore season, stepped foot back in her old stomping grounds on Tuesday and played a key role in helping the eighth-ranked … [Read more...] about ‘It was definitely a little bit weird’: Baldwin, Hawkettes defeat Valley for 4-0 start

‘They’re a very talented team’: Wolves cruise past Centennial boys in opener

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The Waukee Northwest boys' basketball team is as good as advertised. The Wolves, bolstered by the addition of multiple transfers in the offseason, jumped out to a 15-4 lead in the first quarter and cruised to a 60-38 victory at CIML Conference rival Ankeny Centennial on Tuesday. It was the season opener for both squads. "They're a very talented team … [Read more...] about ‘They’re a very talented team’: Wolves cruise past Centennial boys in opener

‘I think it was very humbling’: Jags open CIML play with OT loss to Waukee NW

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Mya Crawford sat in the bleachers with an icepack on her foot following Tuesday's game against visiting Waukee Northwest. It was that kind of night for the senior guard and the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team. Crawford scored 18 points, but her desperation heave at the buzzer bounced off the backboard and the third-ranked Jaguars dropped a … [Read more...] about ‘I think it was very humbling’: Jags open CIML play with OT loss to Waukee NW

Jaguars shut down Pleasant Valley in opener, give DeJong his 700th career win

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The 700th career victory for Ankeny Centennial's Scott DeJong followed a familiar script. The legendary girls' basketball coach reached the milestone on Saturday when the third-ranked Jaguars opened their season by winning a defensive battle against No. 5 Pleasant Valley, 39-26, at Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids. "It was two good teams … [Read more...] about Jaguars shut down Pleasant Valley in opener, give DeJong his 700th career win

Centennial boys’ team looks to overcome inexperienced roster, rash of injuries

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This was already going to be one of coach Bob Fontana's most inexperienced boys' basketball teams at Ankeny Centennial. Now, the Jaguars are dealing with a rash of injuries too. "We had four players injured during the fall either in an open gym or our fall league," said Fontana, who is beginning his 34th season as a head coach. "Usually, you have a … [Read more...] about Centennial boys’ team looks to overcome inexperienced roster, rash of injuries

Haag, Bratland capture titles, lead Ankeny girls’ squad to 3rd-place finish at Nevada

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Trudy Haag and Hayden Bratland each won an individual title to lead the Ankeny girls' wrestling team to a third-place finish among 33 squads in the Central Iowa Kickoff on Saturday at Nevada. Raccoon River Northwest captured the team crown with 295 points. Southeast Polk was second with 260.5 points, followed by Ankeny with 209.5. "Overall, we had a … [Read more...] about Haag, Bratland capture titles, lead Ankeny girls’ squad to 3rd-place finish at Nevada

‘We are starting at a different level’: Jags return their entire roster from 14-9 squad

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There may not be a more experienced girls' basketball team in the state than Ankeny Centennial. The Jaguars return every player from last year's squad that posted a 14-9 record and qualified for the Class 5A state tournament. "We have been able to progress faster with our whole team back. We are starting at a different level than last year," said … [Read more...] about ‘We are starting at a different level’: Jags return their entire roster from 14-9 squad

‘I think we showed up pretty well’: Ankeny girls’ team off to perfect 3-0 start on mat

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The Ankeny girls' wrestling team is off to an impressive start. Third-ranked Ankeny opened its season on Tuesday by defeating three other squads in a quadrangular at Ankeny Centennial. The featured bout was a showdown against No. 4 Waverly-Shell Rock, which Ankeny won by a 49-30 margin. Coach Dustin Roland's team began the night with a 59-18 win over … [Read more...] about ‘I think we showed up pretty well’: Ankeny girls’ team off to perfect 3-0 start on mat

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Nora Bockes, Ankeny girls’ wrestling

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Junior Nora Bockes is one of three returning placewinners for the Ankeny girls' wrestling team, which will open its season on Tuesday by hosting a quadrangular meet at Ankeny Centennial. Bockes owns a career record of 76-19. She posted a 38-9 mark and placed seventh at 110 pounds last year after going 38-10 as a freshman. Here is some inside info on … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Nora Bockes, Ankeny girls’ wrestling

‘Our goal is to bring home a team trophy’: Ankeny girls boast high expectations

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The Ankeny girls' wrestling program has made tremendous strides in its first two years of competition. Now, coach Dustin Roland is hoping to take his squad to the next level. "Our goal is to bring home a team trophy this season," he said. Ankeny placed seventh in last year's state tournament after finishing 40th in its inaugural season. The team … [Read more...] about ‘Our goal is to bring home a team trophy’: Ankeny girls boast high expectations

Centennial’s Vandermark signs letter of intent to wrestle at Grand View

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Ankeny Centennial wrestling standout Cody Vandermark is headed to Grand View University. Vandermark won more than 100 matches in his high school career. He was a two-time state qualifier. Vandermark placed fourth at 120 pounds in Class 3A as a senior, finishing with a 35-6 record. He helped the Jaguars to a fourth-place finish that matched the highest … [Read more...] about Centennial’s Vandermark signs letter of intent to wrestle at Grand View

Centennial’s Smith to play basketball at Grand View, will be reunited with Murray

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Former teammates Tillie Smith and Cleao Murray will be reunited again in the fall of 2025. Smith, a senior-to-be guard at Ankeny Centennial, has committed to play basketball at Grand View. One of the Vikings' current stars is Murray, who will be a junior this fall. Both Murray and Smith played on the 2021-22 Ankeny Centennial team that posted a 20-4 … [Read more...] about Centennial’s Smith to play basketball at Grand View, will be reunited with Murray