Ankeny Fanatic

Your Ankeny Sports Resource

Winter

Jaguars gear up for Monday’s showdown after pulling away to beat Urbandale

by

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

by

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

by

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

by

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

by

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

by

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

by

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

by

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

by

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

Jaguars record 8 falls, romp to 66-9 victory over young Urbandale squad

by

Some of the Ankeny Centennial wrestling team's weaknesses were exposed during The Clash XVIII on Friday and Saturday at Rochester, Minn. Over the last few days, the eighth-ranked Jaguars worked hard to improve in some of those areas. On Tuesday, Centennial racked up eight falls and rolled to a 66-9 victory over visiting Urbandale in a CIML Central … [Read more...] about Jaguars record 8 falls, romp to 66-9 victory over young Urbandale squad

Burns, Centennial girls set 3-point records in victory at Fort Dodge

by

On Friday night, Meg Burns and the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team struggled to put the ball in the hoop. The 10th-ranked Jaguars didn't have that same problem on Saturday afternoon. Less than 24 hours after dropping a 59-37 decision at No. 4 Dowling Catholic, Centennial traveled to Fort Dodge for a non-conference game and set a school record … [Read more...] about Burns, Centennial girls set 3-point records in victory at Fort Dodge

Van Meter, Kester lead Jaguars to most lopsided victory in school history

by

The Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team needed to rebound from Friday's loss at Dowling Catholic. A non-conference matchup against visiting Sioux City North provided an opportunity to do just that. The second-ranked Jaguars jumped out to a 23-0 lead in the first quarter, built a 56-9 advantage at halftime and rolled to an 84-28 victory on Saturday. … [Read more...] about Van Meter, Kester lead Jaguars to most lopsided victory in school history

Centennial wrestlers finish strong, capture Division VII title at The Clash XVIII

by

Ankeny Centennial's first trip to one of the Midwest's premier wrestling tournaments featured a slow start and a strong finish. After going 1-2 on Friday in The Clash XVIII at Rochester, Minn., the Jaguars won all three of their dual meets on Saturday to capture the Division VII title. They are now 11-3 on the season. "It was fun to wrestle some … [Read more...] about Centennial wrestlers finish strong, capture Division VII title at The Clash XVIII

Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Taylor Runchey, Centennial girls’ hoops

by

Senior point guard Taylor Runchey has helped the 10th-ranked Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team to a 5-4 record. She scored a season-high 12 points, making 4-of-6 shots from 3-point range, and also dished out 10 assists in the Jaguars' 71-34 victory at Fort Dodge on Saturday. Runchey is averaging 4.5 points and 2.6 rebounds per game. She is shooting … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Taylor Runchey, Centennial girls’ hoops

‘They were more physical than us’: Dowling boys hand Jaguars their first loss

by

The showdown for first place in the CIML Central Conference boys' basketball race was decided in the first 8 minutes of the game. Ninth-ranked Dowling Catholic jumped out to a 19-5 lead over No. 2 Ankeny Centennial and cruised to a 68-55 victory on Friday, handing the visiting Jaguars their first loss of the season. "You can't get down 14 points at the … [Read more...] about ‘They were more physical than us’: Dowling boys hand Jaguars their first loss

Clark’s supporting cast plays key role in Maroons’ win over Centennial girls

by

It wasn't the 29 points that Dowling Catholic's Caitlin Clark scored on Friday that spelled doom for the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team. It was the timely 3-point goals from her supporting cast that proved to be the difference. Grace Gaber and Ella McVey each had a trio of 3-pointers and Clark added two more as the fourth-ranked Maroons … [Read more...] about Clark’s supporting cast plays key role in Maroons’ win over Centennial girls

Monroe, Neils, Cahill capture individual gold at Miller Invitational

by

The Ankeny Centennial duo of Ben Monroe and Logan Neils continues to dominate on the wrestling mat. Both seniors remained unbeaten on Saturday by winning their second straight titles in the Don Miller Invitational at Fort Dodge. Teammate Carter Cahill also captured an individual crown as the eighth-ranked Jaguars placed second in the 11-team field with … [Read more...] about Monroe, Neils, Cahill capture individual gold at Miller Invitational

Centennial girls shut down No. 8 Little Cyclones for huge road victory

by

There are a number of things in the world that you can just count on. The sun will rise every morning. Then it will go down at night. And the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team will continue to play stifling defense. The 13th-ranked Jaguars allowed just 19 points through the first three quarters and posted a 50-32 victory at No. 8 Ames on … [Read more...] about Centennial girls shut down No. 8 Little Cyclones for huge road victory

‘He just keeps getting better and better’: Crews leads Jaguars to 6-0 start

by

Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball coach Bob Fontana wasn't sure what to expect when former Ankeny player Jaron Crews transferred across town in the offseason. As a sophomore at Ankeny last year, Crews averaged 7.0 points per game. But he also shot 37.5 percent from 3-point range, which was one of the Jaguars' glaring weaknesses a year ago. "I knew his … [Read more...] about ‘He just keeps getting better and better’: Crews leads Jaguars to 6-0 start