One of the hallmarks of the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball program under coach Scott DeJong has been a rugged defense. The Jaguars typically try to wear down their opponents over the course of a 32-minute game. On Tuesday, Centennial's strategy may have benefited from a quirk in the schedule. Its opponent, Mason City, was coming off a 90-78 loss … [Read more...] about Jaguars rely on balanced scoring, rugged defense to beat Mason City
Winter
Centennial boys snap losing skid behind career-highs from Kelling, Brandt
For the first time since Jan. 4, the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team walked off the court Tuesday with a victory. The Jaguars snapped a seven-game losing skid with an 83-56 win over visiting Mason City. They improved to 5-12 on the season, while the Mohawks' record dropped to 6-12. "It was a big shot in the arm for us," said Centennial coach … [Read more...] about Centennial boys snap losing skid behind career-highs from Kelling, Brandt
Centennial girls avenge loss to Ames behind Sauer’s double-double
Kenna Sauer had a sour taste in her mouth following Friday's game at Johnston. Less than 24 hours later, she had a chance to do something about it. The senior forward tied a season-high with 17 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to lead the ninth-ranked Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team to a 47-39 victory at No. 14 Ames on Saturday. "(Friday) … [Read more...] about Centennial girls avenge loss to Ames behind Sauer’s double-double
Ames boys knock off Jaguars to keep conference title hopes alive
The shooting woes continued on Saturday for the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team. The Jaguars shot just 38.6 percent from the field (17-of-44) and dropped a 62-42 decision at Ames for their seventh consecutive loss. Their records fell to 2-7 in the CIML Central Conference and 4-12 overall. During its losing streak, Centennial has made just 40.6 … [Read more...] about Ames boys knock off Jaguars to keep conference title hopes alive
Jaguars connect on just 11-of-46 shots in loss to No. 3 Johnston
The recent frigid temperatures may have cooled off the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team. It took a late 3-point goal by reserve Jenny Hagg to prevent the Jaguars from setting a dubious record on Friday. Hagg connected from behind the arc with 45 seconds left to produce the final points of the game in Centennial's 46-27 loss at third-ranked … [Read more...] about Jaguars connect on just 11-of-46 shots in loss to No. 3 Johnston
Cold-shooting Centennial boys drop their 6th consecutive game
There's still time for the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team to turn its season around. But the Jaguars will need to find some answers for their shooting woes. Centennial scored just 12 points in the first half and went on to suffer a 53-35 loss at Johnston on Friday, its sixth in a row. The Jaguars dropped to 2-6 in the CIML Central Conference … [Read more...] about Cold-shooting Centennial boys drop their 6th consecutive game
Centennial wrestlers top Valley on historic night for Groth, Blubaugh
Jay Groth has been a high school wrestling coach in the Central Iowa Metropolitan League for the last quarter of a century. He accomplished something on Thursday that he had never done before. Groth guided third-ranked Ankeny Centennial to a 40-24 victory over No. 7 Valley in the regular-season finale for both teams at Centennial. It was Groth's first … [Read more...] about Centennial wrestlers top Valley on historic night for Groth, Blubaugh
Girls’ pairings announced: Hawkettes, Jaguars to host 5A regional semifinals
The Class 5A regional basketball pairings have been announced by the Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union. Ankeny has been placed in Region 2, while Ankeny Centennial has been placed in Region 8. The Hawkettes (7-10) are seeded second in their bracket. They will host a semifinal game against Des Moines East (9-7) or Des Moines North (2-14) on Feb. 16 at … [Read more...] about Girls’ pairings announced: Hawkettes, Jaguars to host 5A regional semifinals
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 33
Check out the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by the Ankeny office of Iowa Realty. Ankeny Fanatic publisher Dan Holm breaks down the home stretch of the basketball season with Ankeny Centennial girls' standout Meg Burns and Ankeny boys' coach Brandt Carlson. … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 33
Blimpie Sub of the Week: Scott Talmadge, Ankeny Centennial wrestling
Sophomore Scott Talmadge is a member of the Ankeny Centennial wrestling team. Talmadge has helped the Jaguars to a 17-0 record and a No. 3 ranking in Class 3A according to the Iowa Wrestling Coaches Association dual rankings. "Scott has done a great job filling in at 126 pounds and has wrestled tough and worked hard to overcome an early season … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Scott Talmadge, Ankeny Centennial wrestling
Dinnebier, Warriors snap 7-game losing streak to Centennial girls
The Waukee girls' basketball team finally found a way to beat Ankeny Centennial. The emergence of sophomore guard Katie Dinnebier had a lot to do with it. Dinnebier scored 18 of her 26 points in the second half to lead the eighth-ranked Warriors to a 63-52 victory at No. 11 Centennial on Saturday. The win snapped Waukee's seven-game losing streak … [Read more...] about Dinnebier, Warriors snap 7-game losing streak to Centennial girls
No. 1 Waukee boys are ‘well-oiled machine’ in victory over Jaguars
A season-ending knee injury to one of its best players hasn't slowed down the Waukee boys' basketball team. The top-ranked Warriors improved their record to 13-0 with a 59-36 victory at Ankeny Centennial on Saturday. They are one of only 12 remaining unbeaten teams in the state. It was Waukee's second game without senior guard Noah Hart, who underwent … [Read more...] about No. 1 Waukee boys are ‘well-oiled machine’ in victory over Jaguars
Jaguars overcome Clark’s 40 points, rally past Dowling for huge win
Don't ever count out the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team. After scoring just 13 points in the first half of Friday's game at Dowling Catholic, the Jaguars appeared to be on their way to a loss that would have allowed third-ranked Johnston to clinch at least a share of the CIML Central Conference title. But a different Centennial team emerged … [Read more...] about Jaguars overcome Clark’s 40 points, rally past Dowling for huge win
Dowling Catholic boys hand Jaguars their fourth consecutive loss
It's been a tough year for the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team. On Friday night, things went from bad to worse for the Jaguars, who dropped a 53-50 decision at Dowling Catholic before their bus broke down on the way home. "You coach long enough, and you're going to get a little bit of everything," said Centennial coach Bob Fontana. "That's … [Read more...] about Dowling Catholic boys hand Jaguars their fourth consecutive loss
Class 4A boys’ basketball substate assignments announced
The road to Wells Fargo Arena won't be an easy one for the Ankeny boys' basketball team. It will likely be even tougher for Ankeny Centennial. The Class 4A substate assignments have been announced by the Iowa High School Athletic Association. Pairings will be posted the second week of February, but both the Hawks and Jaguars could face formidable … [Read more...] about Class 4A boys’ basketball substate assignments announced
Watch LIVE: Waukee vs. Centennial hoops Saturday at 1 p.m.
In coordination with the Central Iowa Sports Network, you can watch Saturday's Waukee vs. Ankeny Centennial basketball doubleheader LIVE here on AnkenyFanatic.com. … [Read more...] about Watch LIVE: Waukee vs. Centennial hoops Saturday at 1 p.m.
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 32
Check out the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by the Ankeny office of Iowa Realty. Ankeny Fanatic publisher Dan Holm breaks down the home stretch of the wrestling season with Ankeny assistant coach Derrick Huber and Hawks' 195-pounder Cole Rathjen, along with Centennial coach Jay Groth and Jaguars' 220-pounder Lane Pruisner. … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 32
Jaguars topple Johnston, capture CIML Central Conference championship
The CIML Central Conference wrestling title was at stake on Thursday at Ankeny Centennial. The Jaguars, who are fourth in the Class 3A dual rankings, captured the league crown with a 44-24 victory over No. 13 Johnston. "It was nice to win it," said Centennial coach Jay Groth. "We mentioned it a few times in practice this week, but our guys definitely … [Read more...] about Jaguars topple Johnston, capture CIML Central Conference championship
Locure overcomes foul trouble, leads North boys to victory over Jaguars
Des Moines North basketball star Tyreke Locure got into some foul trouble during Tuesday's game against visiting Ankeny Centennial. But the senior point guard, who has often been plagued by foul problems, knows how to handle those situations. He picked up three fouls in the first quarter and got his fourth foul in the third quarter, but did not foul … [Read more...] about Locure overcomes foul trouble, leads North boys to victory over Jaguars
Centennial girls roll past North for their 4th consecutive victory
There won't be any more cupcakes on the schedule for the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team. The 12th-ranked Jaguars rolled to a 67-19 victory at Des Moines North on Tuesday, extending their winning streak to four games. But the schedule only gets tougher from here on out. Six of Centennial's seven remaining opponents are currently ranked. The … [Read more...] about Centennial girls roll past North for their 4th consecutive victory

















