For the first 3 minutes of Tuesday's game against visiting Newton, the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team couldn't find the basket. Thanks to a relentless defensive effort, the Jaguars' slow start proved to be insignificant. Seventh-ranked Centennial rolled to a 60-19 victory in the non-conference game, despite shooting just 36.5 percent from the … [Read more...] about Despite shooting woes, Centennial girls romp to lopsided win over Cardinals
Winter
Crews scores 20, Louis adds 14 in Jaguars’ 78-62 victory over Newton
A 30-point third quarter helped the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team pull away for a 78-62 victory over visiting Newton in a non-conference game on Tuesday. The eighth-ranked Jaguars improved to 2-0 on the season. The Cardinals dropped to 3-1. "They were unbeaten," said Centennial coach Bob Fontana. "I'd seen them on tape, and I was impressed … [Read more...] about Crews scores 20, Louis adds 14 in Jaguars’ 78-62 victory over Newton
Blimpie Sub of the Week: Olivia Anderson, Centennial girls’ basketball
Junior forward Olivia Anderson has helped the seventh-ranked Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team to a 2-0 start. "Olivia is a great teammate and along with her athleticism she brings a lot to our team," said Centennial coach Scott DeJong. "She's a hard worker, a leader and competes hard. We are excited about what she can do as the season … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Olivia Anderson, Centennial girls’ basketball
Revive Clinic and Spa Coach of the Month: Scott DeJong, Centennial girls’ basketball
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Maggie Phipps, Centennial girls’ hoops
Senior guard Maggie Phipps scored 18 points to lead the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team to a 69-23 victory at Fort Dodge in its season opener on Friday. She had a trio of 3-point goals. Phipps transferred to Centennial after earning all-state honors last year at North Polk, where she led the Comets to a 21-6 record and a runner-up finish in the … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Maggie Phipps, Centennial girls’ hoops
Jaguars roll past 3 opponents, win Centennial Duals for 4th straight year
Saturday's Ankeny Centennial Duals wrestling tournament was limited to four teams due to COVID-19 protocols. The Jaguars still dominated their own event, claiming the title for the fourth straight year. Centennial improved its overall record to 4-0 with three lopsided victories. The Jaguars rolled to a 66-15 win over Newton, cruised to a 52-25 triumph … [Read more...] about Jaguars roll past 3 opponents, win Centennial Duals for 4th straight year
Centennial boys rout Fort Dodge, score most points ever in season opener
By the end of the third quarter on Friday, the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team had already scored its most points ever in a season-opening game. The ninth-ranked Jaguars used a 35-point period to build a 77-38 advantage after three quarters at Fort Dodge. They went on to post a 95-40 victory over the Dodgers, just two points shy of the school … [Read more...] about Centennial boys rout Fort Dodge, score most points ever in season opener
Jaguars jump out to 15-0 lead, roll to season-opening win at Fort Dodge
The Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team appears to have a lot of depth. The seventh-ranked Jaguars also have the ability to get up and down the court. Centennial got its transition game going on Friday and rolled to a 69-23 victory at Fort Dodge in its season opener. "We turned the ball over a little too much, but we saw some glimpses of what … [Read more...] about Jaguars jump out to 15-0 lead, roll to season-opening win at Fort Dodge
Jaguars record 6 falls, open their season with 50-21 victory at Ottumwa
The Ankeny Centennial wrestlers made their long-awaited season debut on the mat Thursday, rolling to a 50-21 victory in a dual meet at Ottumwa. The Jaguars racked up six pins en route to the win. They handed Ottumwa (8-1) its first loss of the season. "First of all, it was great to be back on the mat competing," said Centennial coach Jay Groth. "Our … [Read more...] about Jaguars record 6 falls, open their season with 50-21 victory at Ottumwa
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Colin McAleer, Centennial boys’ basketball
Senior Colin McAleer is one of two returning starters for the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team, which will open its season on Friday at Fort Dodge. A wing player, McAleer averaged 7.3 points per game as a junior while helping the Jaguars to a 24-3 record and a fourth-place finish in the Class 4A state tournament. McAleer connected on 37.5 percent … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Colin McAleer, Centennial boys’ basketball
Crews, McAleer to lead way as Jaguars rebuild after record-setting season
Following the most successful season in school history, the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team faces a major rebuilding task. The Jaguars return only two starters from a team that posted a 24-3 record and placed fourth in the Class 4A state tournament. "Our kids understand we will have to be a hard-nosed team with great chemistry that plays hard … [Read more...] about Crews, McAleer to lead way as Jaguars rebuild after record-setting season
DeJong: Centennial girls ‘have a chance to have a really exciting season’
All the ingredients for a winning basketball team appear to be on the Ankeny Centennial girls' roster. Head coach Scott DeJong just has to put all the pieces together. "We made a lot of progress since the first day of practice," said DeJong, whose team is seventh in the Class 5A preseason rankings. "There is much more team building to do with the loss … [Read more...] about DeJong: Centennial girls ‘have a chance to have a really exciting season’
‘We’ll be ready to go’: Jaguars want to be hammers–whenever season begins
Jay Groth isn't worried about whether his Ankeny Centennial wrestlers will be in shape once the Ankeny school district returns to in-person classes. "I've told them, 'When we get back--whenever that is--we're going to be ready to compete,'" Groth said. "And we'll know if you haven't been doing what you need to do to be able to compete, because you'll run … [Read more...] about ‘We’ll be ready to go’: Jaguars want to be hammers–whenever season begins
‘It just seemed like I would fit right in’: Centennial’s McAleer to play for Midland
Ankeny Centennial senior Colin McAleer will continue his basketball career at the NAIA level. The sharpshooting guard has announced his verbal commitment to Midland University in Fremont, Neb. "I loved the coaching staff and the players," said McAleer. "I love what coach Oliver (Drake) is about. I was at Midland for my second time last weekend to watch … [Read more...] about ‘It just seemed like I would fit right in’: Centennial’s McAleer to play for Midland
Former Centennial standout Vipond earns Leopard Award in her final season
Former Ankeny Centennial basketball standout Tasha Vipond is the recipient of the Leopard Award from the Lafayette College women's basketball program. The Leopards announced the award via Twitter. "Our Leopard Award recipient is someone who embodies all the qualities of a Lafayette student-athlete: strong student, committed athlete, great teammate, and … [Read more...] about Former Centennial standout Vipond earns Leopard Award in her final season
Centennial’s Murray suffers ACL injury, will have surgery on June 4
Cleao Murray called it the worst pain she has ever felt in her life. The Ankeny Centennial basketball standout suffered a serious knee injury on May 11 while practicing with the All Iowa Attack in Ames. She tore her left ACL and part of her meniscus. "We were doing a drill, and I hyperextended (my knee) while I was passing to a teammate," said Murray. … [Read more...] about Centennial’s Murray suffers ACL injury, will have surgery on June 4
Centennial guard Kelling chooses Grand View over Midland, Morningside
Ankeny Centennial's Preston Kelling is taking his highlight-reel dunks to the east side of Des Moines. The senior guard has verbally committed to play basketball at Grand View University. He picked the Vikings over Midland University and Morningside. "It was definitely a hard decision," said Kelling. "But after a couple days of thinking (it over) and … [Read more...] about Centennial guard Kelling chooses Grand View over Midland, Morningside
Bayless, McCullough named to Register’s Class 4A all-state first team
Ankeny's Braxton Bayless and Ankeny Centennial's Cody McCullough racked up some more postseason honors on Friday. The two boys' basketball standouts were both named to the Class 4A all-state first team by The Des Moines Register. The duo was previously selected to the Class 4A first team by the Iowa Print Sports Writers Association. Bayless, a senior … [Read more...] about Bayless, McCullough named to Register’s Class 4A all-state first team
Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Jaron Crews, Centennial boys’ basketball
Junior guard Jaron Crews helped the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team to a 24-3 record and a fourth-place finish in the Class 4A state tournament. He was a unanimous pick to the CIML Central Conference first team. Crews averaged 13.5 points and 2.4 rebounds per game. He led the Jaguars with 51 3-point goals and 115 assists. Here is some inside … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Jaron Crews, Centennial boys’ basketball
‘He’s an animal’: McCullough sets school record with 24 rebounds in Jaguars’ loss
Bob Fontana got a little choked up following Friday's Class 4A consolation game at the boys' state basketball tournament. He knew he had coached the seniors on his Ankeny Centennial squad for the last time. "It's real tough with these guys because they've been so good," Fontana said following the Jaguars' 65-58 loss to Cedar Falls at Wells Fargo Arena. … [Read more...] about ‘He’s an animal’: McCullough sets school record with 24 rebounds in Jaguars’ loss