The Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team moved a step closer toward the CIML Central Conference title by avenging its only loss of the season. The fourth-ranked Jaguars closed out Friday's game on a 32-10 run to defeat visiting Dowling Catholic, 63-48. It was Centennial's ninth straight win since suffering a 68-55 loss at Dowling on Jan. 3. "We lost … [Read more...] about Jaguars avenge their only loss, move closer to Central Conference crown
Winter
Clark’s defense proves to be difference in Dowling’s win over Centennial girls
The Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team held Dowling Catholic star Caitlin Clark to just two 3-point goals during Friday's game at Centennial. The Iowa recruit found other ways to score, though, and finished with 32 points in leading the second-ranked Maroons to a 56-49 victory. Clark wreaked havoc on defense, turning several steals into layups at … [Read more...] about Clark’s defense proves to be difference in Dowling’s win over Centennial girls
Jaguars take down No. 1 Waukee, give Fontana his 400th career victory
Bob Fontana's 400th career coaching victory is one that he'll never forget. The sixth-ranked Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team led almost the entire way and posted a 78-70 victory at No. 1 Waukee on Tuesday, allowing Fontana to reach the milestone. Afterwards, Fontana told his team outside the locker room that he'd rather have a state tournament … [Read more...] about Jaguars take down No. 1 Waukee, give Fontana his 400th career victory
No. 5 Waukee girls start fast, finish strong in win over Centennial
A slow start doomed the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team on Tuesday. The 10th-ranked Jaguars fell behind after the first quarter, 25-7, and eventually dropped a 55-33 decision in a non-conference game at No. 5 Waukee. It was their lowest offensive output of the season and their lowest total overall since a 46-27 loss at Johnston last year. "It … [Read more...] about No. 5 Waukee girls start fast, finish strong in win over Centennial
Blimpie Sub of the Week: Cade Macke, Ankeny Centennial boys’ basketball
Senior guard Cade Macke has helped the sixth-ranked Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team to a 14-1 record. He is averaging 1.8 points per game. Macke is shooting 33.3 percent from 3-point range (5-of-15). He has scored a season-high five points on three different occasions. "The thing that stands out about Cade is that he is always there for his … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Cade Macke, Ankeny Centennial boys’ basketball
TOUGH AS NEILS: Unbeaten Centennial senior wins crown at Ed Winger Invite
One of the reasons Ankeny Centennial wrestling coach Jay Groth wanted his team to compete in the Ed Winger Invitational was to prepare the Jaguars for the stretch run of the season. It remains to be seen how things will turn out. On Saturday, Centennial placed sixth in the 19-team field at the Urbandale tournament. The eighth-ranked Jaguars racked up … [Read more...] about TOUGH AS NEILS: Unbeaten Centennial senior wins crown at Ed Winger Invite
Ames girls top Jaguars after forcing OT on miraculous basket at buzzer
Sometimes, the ball doesn't bounce your way. Or, the questionable call that could have gone either way doesn't go in your favor. The 10th-ranked Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team experienced both of those things Friday on the same play--a miraculous basket by Ames' Teagan Lipsey that forced overtime and eventually helped the No. 12 Little … [Read more...] about Ames girls top Jaguars after forcing OT on miraculous basket at buzzer
McAleer’s career night helps Centennial boys pull away from Little Cyclones
A 29-3 run that spanned both halves allowed the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team to post a 50-29 victory over visiting Ames on Friday. The sixth-ranked Jaguars trailed, 16-11, before scoring the last 10 points of the first half. They then outscored Ames in the third quarter, 16-3, to build a 37-19 advantage. "It was a slow-paced game the first … [Read more...] about McAleer’s career night helps Centennial boys pull away from Little Cyclones
Jaguars avoid letdown, convert 30-of-33 free throws in win over North
Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball coach Bob Fontana was hoping that his team could avoid a letdown after Monday's huge victory over Ankeny. He should not have been worried. The sixth-ranked Jaguars returned to the court on Tuesday and defeated visiting Des Moines North, 85-74, in a non-conference game. They improved to 12-1 on the season, while … [Read more...] about Jaguars avoid letdown, convert 30-of-33 free throws in win over North
Centennial girls cruise to 80-23 victory over short-handed Polar Bears
Ankeny Centennial's Meg Burns picked up right where she left off on Monday. Burns scored 14 points while playing only the first 6 minutes of the game to lead the 10th-ranked Jaguars to an 80-23 victory over visiting Des Moines North on Tuesday. She went 5-for-5 from the field, including 4-of-4 from 3-point range. Burns had scored 19 points in a win … [Read more...] about Centennial girls cruise to 80-23 victory over short-handed Polar Bears
Central Bank Athlete of the Month: Cody McCullough, Centennial senior
Jaguars gear up for Monday’s showdown after pulling away to beat Urbandale
It would have been easy for the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team to overlook its opponent on Saturday. With a huge showdown against crosstown rival Ankeny looming on Monday, the fifth-ranked Jaguars broke away from a 25-25 halftime tie to post a 70-60 victory at Urbandale. It wasn't pretty, but Centennial improved to 4-1 in the CIML Central … [Read more...] about Jaguars gear up for Monday’s showdown after pulling away to beat Urbandale
Without Keahna-Harris, Centennial girls tumble to J-Hawks, Gyamfi sisters
The Urbandale girls' basketball team boasts an imposing front line led by sisters Jada and Maya Gyamfi. Unfortunately for Ankeny Centennial, the Jaguars didn't have their best post player to battle the J-Hawks on Saturday. Alexandria Keahna-Harris suffered a foot injury during Tuesday's overtime loss to second-ranked Johnston. She sat out as the No. 10 … [Read more...] about Without Keahna-Harris, Centennial girls tumble to J-Hawks, Gyamfi sisters
Centennial wrestlers pummel Ames, Roosevelt for pair of lopsided victories
The Ankeny Centennial wrestlers competed in a double dual meet against Ames and Des Moines Roosevelt on Thursday at Ames. The Jaguars, who are sixth in the Class 3A dual rankings by The Predicament, overwhelmed both of their opponents. Centennial began the night with a 62-12 victory over the Little Cyclones in a CIML Central Conference dual. The … [Read more...] about Centennial wrestlers pummel Ames, Roosevelt for pair of lopsided victories
McDermott’s 3-pointers in OT lift No. 3 Dragons past Centennial girls
Even without one of its best players, the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team was in position to pull off an upset over visiting Johnston on Tuesday. But the 10th-ranked Jaguars couldn't seal the victory. Johnston's Maya McDermott made back-to-back 3-point goals in overtime to turn a three-point deficit into a three-point lead, and the No. 3 … [Read more...] about McDermott’s 3-pointers in OT lift No. 3 Dragons past Centennial girls
Jaguars roll past Johnston behind Crews’ fast start, rebounding advantage
For the first 8 minutes of Tuesday's game against visiting Johnston, Jaron Crews was clearly in the zone. The junior point guard poured in 18 points in the first quarter and went on to finish with 23 as the fifth-ranked Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team cruised to a 78-55 victory over the Dragons. "I was just letting the game come to me," said … [Read more...] about Jaguars roll past Johnston behind Crews’ fast start, rebounding advantage
Blimpie Sub of the Week: Owen Vernon, Ankeny Centennial wrestling
Junior Owen Vernon is a member of the Ankeny Centennial wrestling team. He has helped the sixth-ranked Jaguars to a 13-3 dual record. "Owen has filled in at 182 pounds even though he is a 160-pounder," said Centennial coach Jay Groth. "He has had success on the mat and been valuable in helping us win the Dallas Center-Grimes Invitational and other duals, … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Owen Vernon, Ankeny Centennial wrestling
Jaguars top Dowling on Senior Night, remain unbeaten in Central Conference
The Ankeny Centennial wrestlers celebrated their Senior Night on Thursday with a 47-26 victory over visiting Dowling Catholic. The Jaguars, who are sixth in The Predicament's Class 3A dual rankings, improved to 3-0 in the CIML Central Conference. They are now 13-3 overall. "It was a big Senior Night," said Centennial coach Jay Groth. "We had 17 … [Read more...] about Jaguars top Dowling on Senior Night, remain unbeaten in Central Conference
Centennial boys roll past Bobcats behind McCullough’s 5th double-double
The struggling Marshalltown boys' basketball team needed to find a way to solve its scoring woes. A visit from fifth-ranked Ankeny Centennial on Tuesday was not the answer. The Jaguars turned in a dominant defensive performance to post a 67-34 victory. They improved to 8-1 on the season. Marshalltown (3-6) has scored 35 or fewer points in five of … [Read more...] about Centennial boys roll past Bobcats behind McCullough’s 5th double-double
Jaguars score from all over the court en route to 60-27 win at Marshalltown
If opponents try to pack the paint against the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team, the Jaguars have demonstrated an ability to make 3-pointers. When the opponents try to pressure the outside shooters, Centennial can dump the ball inside for some easy baskets. The 10th-ranked Jaguars had success scoring from all over the court on Tuesday en route … [Read more...] about Jaguars score from all over the court en route to 60-27 win at Marshalltown