The Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team appears to have solved some of its recent offensive woes. Now, the Jaguars may have to focus on the defensive end of the court. Johnston made 11 3-point goals in the first three quarters and went on to post a 68-57 victory in a CIML non-conference game on Tuesday, handing the visiting Jaguars … [Read more...] about Hot-shooting Johnston hands Jaguars their 3rd straight loss
Winter
Centennial advances 8 wrestlers to state, the most in school history
Jay Groth was hoping to advance all 14 of his Ankeny Centennial wrestlers to this week's state tournament at Wells Fargo Arena. He'll have to settle for just eight. The Jaguars advanced the most qualifiers in school history while placing second in a Class 3A district tournament on Saturday at Dallas Center-Grimes. They racked up 227 points to finish … [Read more...] about Centennial advances 8 wrestlers to state, the most in school history
Strong finish allows Jaguars to capture CIML Central Conference crown
When Scott DeJong goes to sleep at night, he probably dreams of new ways to stop his opponents. That's how much his Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team focuses on defense. On Friday, the fifth-ranked Jaguars allowed just one point over the last 3 1/2 minutes and rallied for a 45-35 victory over No. 6 Waukee, spoiling the Warriors' Senior Night. … [Read more...] about Strong finish allows Jaguars to capture CIML Central Conference crown
Cold-shooting Jaguars tumble to Waukee in battle for league crown
With less than 2 minutes left in Friday's game, Waukee forward Nathan Johnson leaped high in the air for an alley-oop near the basket. Johnson was unable to corral the pass, which was tipped by an Ankeny Centennial defender. But the ball went in the hoop anyway. It was that kind of night for the Jaguars. Waukee used an 11-0 run in the third quarter … [Read more...] about Cold-shooting Jaguars tumble to Waukee in battle for league crown
Hawks to visit Ames, Jaguars to host Lincoln in substate play
The Ankeny boys' basketball team was expecting to head north for its postseason opener later this month. It turns out that the Hawks won't have to go as far up I-35 as they thought. Fifth-seeded Ankeny will play at fourth-seeded Ames in a Class 4A Substate 8 quarterfinal on Feb. 19 at 7 p.m. The Little Cyclones (7-11) are currently on a … [Read more...] about Hawks to visit Ames, Jaguars to host Lincoln in substate play
Centennial boys, girls to play at Waukee for Central Conference crowns
A pair of championships will be at stake on Friday night at the Waukee Fieldhouse. Waukee will host a basketball doubleheader against Ankeny Centennial, beginning with the girls' game at 6:15 p.m. The winner of both contests will capture the CIML Central Conference title. "I think it's important that we win the conference because it will build our … [Read more...] about Centennial boys, girls to play at Waukee for Central Conference crowns
Jaguars earn rematch against Johnston, but then fall in regional final
In just six days, the Ankeny Centennial wrestling team closed the gap considerably on fifth-ranked Johnston. The No. 9 Jaguars just didn't close it far enough. The Dragons advanced to next week's state duals tournament with a 35-30 victory over visiting Centennial in a Class 3A regional final on Wednesday. The Jaguars, who dropped a 44-22 decision at … [Read more...] about Jaguars earn rematch against Johnston, but then fall in regional final
Loss at Fort Dodge could cost Jaguars No. 2 seed in substate tourney
Tuesday's loss at Fort Dodge could have some costly ramifications for the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team. The Jaguars suffered a 50-37 loss that ended their two-game winning streak and dropped their record to 12-6 on the season. The outcome could have an effect on the seedings for the Class 4A Substate 7 tournament, which will be determined on … [Read more...] about Loss at Fort Dodge could cost Jaguars No. 2 seed in substate tourney
Centennial girls shake off slow start, beat Dodgers for 8th straight win
It took awhile for the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team to take control of Tuesday's game at Fort Dodge. The fifth-ranked Jaguars trailed in the second quarter, 19-16, before scoring the last nine points of the half. They then used a 24-4 run in the third quarter to pull away for a 62-41 victory in a CIML non-conference game. "We kind of had a … [Read more...] about Centennial girls shake off slow start, beat Dodgers for 8th straight win
Blimpie Sub of the Week: Kyle Janssen, Ankeny Centennial wrestling
Freshman Kyle Janssen of the Ankeny Centennial wrestling team is the Ankeny Fanatic Sub of the Week sponsored by Blimpie. Janssen has helped Centennial to a 21-8 mark that set a school record for most dual-meet victories in a season. The Jaguars will compete in a Class 3A regional dual on Wednesday at Johnston, beginning with a first-round matchup against … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Kyle Janssen, Ankeny Centennial wrestling
Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Rachel Schon, Ankeny Centennial girls’ basketball
Rachel Schon is the Ankeny Fanatic prep of the week sponsored by Revive Clinic and Spa. The junior center has helped the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team to a 16-3 record and a No. 5 ranking in Class 5A. Schon is averaging 12.0 points and 5.9 rebounds per game. She is shooting 52.4 percent from the field (66-of-126), including 50 percent from … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Rachel Schon, Ankeny Centennial girls’ basketball
STRAIT SHOOTER: Senior guard surpasses 1,000-point mark, leads Jaguars past Ames
Ankeny Centennial's Hunter Strait entered Friday's game at Ames in search of a milestone. He left the gym with a much-needed victory as well. Strait scored 22 points to surpass the 1,000-point career mark and the Centennial boys' basketball team rallied in the second half to post a 59-51 victory over the Little Cyclones. "Hitting 1,000 points has … [Read more...] about STRAIT SHOOTER: Senior guard surpasses 1,000-point mark, leads Jaguars past Ames
Hot-shooting Jaguars give DeJong his 600th career coaching victory
Fans of the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team came prepared to celebrate on Friday night. The Jaguars' faithful held up signs to congratulate coach Scott DeJong on his 600th career victory following his team's 53-25 win at Ames. Afterwards, DeJong shared the achievement with his players and assistant coaches. "It just means we've had a lot of … [Read more...] about Hot-shooting Jaguars give DeJong his 600th career coaching victory
Centennial’s Strait closing in on 1,000-point milestone
Ankeny Centennial basketball standout Hunter Strait is closing in on a huge accomplishment. The senior guard needs four more points to reach the 1,000-point career mark. He will likely achieve the milestone during Friday's game at Ames. Strait is averaging a team-high 16.9 points per game for the Jaguars. The Truman State recruit has scored 270 points … [Read more...] about Centennial’s Strait closing in on 1,000-point milestone
Johnston wrestlers top Centennial, but Jaguars could get rematch at regional dual
Ankeny Centennial wrestling coach Jay Groth wasn't too excited about Thursday's double dual meet at Johnston. The Jaguars ended the night with a matchup against fifth-ranked Johnston, even though the two teams will likely meet again in a Class 3A regional dual on Wednesday. "It wasn't ideal," Groth said. "Obviously, we were hoping to be one of the … [Read more...] about Johnston wrestlers top Centennial, but Jaguars could get rematch at regional dual
Jaguars, Hawkettes to host regional semifinals on Feb. 17
The Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team won't even have to leave its own gym in order to qualify for the Class 5A state tournament at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines. The fifth-ranked Jaguars earned a No. 1 seed in Region 5 after posting a 50-42 overtime victory against Des Moines East on Tuesday at Centennial. They raised their record to 15-3 on the … [Read more...] about Jaguars, Hawkettes to host regional semifinals on Feb. 17
Centennial girls rally past East in OT, celebrate Senior Night with victory
Down by seven points with less than 4 minutes left to play, the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team was in danger of suffering a rare home-court loss on its Senior Night. But Chloe Olson refused to let it happen. The senior forward scored four points down the stretch to help force overtime, then added a pair of free throws in the extra period as … [Read more...] about Centennial girls rally past East in OT, celebrate Senior Night with victory
Centennial boys hit 10 3-pointers, roll to victory over winless Scarlets
The Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball players were anxious to put Friday's loss to Ankeny behind them. The Jaguars found a good opponent in Des Moines East to do just that. Centennial jumped out to an early 10-0 lead, built a 19-point halftime advantage and rolled to a 77-33 victory over the visiting Scarlets in a CIML non-conference game on … [Read more...] about Centennial boys hit 10 3-pointers, roll to victory over winless Scarlets
Centennial girls build big lead, then hold off Mohawks
One of the state's best girls' basketball players scored 25 points on Tuesday in a game against Ankeny Centennial. It still wasn't nearly enough. The eighth-ranked Jaguars traveled to Mason City for a CIML non-conference contest and came away with a 59-40 victory over the Mohawks, who are ranked seventh in Class 4A. Centennial relied … [Read more...] about Centennial girls build big lead, then hold off Mohawks
Jaguars overcome bus trouble, slow start to defeat Mason City
It took the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team a little longer than expected to make its trip to Mason City on Tuesday. "There was something wrong with the bus, and we had to pull off the road on the way up there," said Centennial coach Bob Fontana. "We didn't get there until there was 4 minutes left in the first half of the girls' game." It also … [Read more...] about Jaguars overcome bus trouble, slow start to defeat Mason City