Survive and advance. That's what it's all about for the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team at this time of the year. The fifth-ranked Jaguars fought off a pesky Urbandale squad to post a 52-39 victory in a Class 5A regional semifinal on Saturday at Centennial. The win was the 10th in a row for Centennial (19-3), but it didn't come … [Read more...] about Centennial girls fight off pesky Urbandale squad, will host Valley next
Winter
Monroe has no answers for Biscoglia Buzzsaw, earns repeat runner-up finish
Ankeny Centennial's Ben Monroe ran into a proverbial buzzsaw on Saturday night at Wells Fargo Arena. You might even call it a Biscoglia Buzzsaw. Waukee's top-ranked Kyle Biscoglia turned in a dominating performance to win his third state wrestling title, posting a 9-2 decision over the sixth-ranked Monroe in the Class 3A championship match at 120 … [Read more...] about Monroe has no answers for Biscoglia Buzzsaw, earns repeat runner-up finish
Dominating wins send Rathjen, Monroe to Saturday’s finals
Ankeny's Caleb Rathjen and Ankeny Centennial's Ben Monroe share at least one trait in common. They both look comfortable on Iowa's biggest wrestling stage. The duo posted dominating wins on Friday night at Wells Fargo Arena to advance to Saturday's championship matches in the Class 3A state tournament. "It feels great. It's an awesome … [Read more...] about Dominating wins send Rathjen, Monroe to Saturday’s finals
Jaguars roll past Lincoln in preview of substate opener
The Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team didn't want to end the regular season with a four-game losing streak. Mission accomplished. The Jaguars jumped out to a 33-8 halftime lead and cruised to a 66-52 victory over visiting Des Moines Lincoln in a CIML non-conference game on Friday. The win snapped a three-game skid for Centennial, which improved … [Read more...] about Jaguars roll past Lincoln in preview of substate opener
Ankeny’s Rathjen, Centennial’s Monroe earn berths in Class 3A semifinals
Ankeny's Caleb Rathjen and Ankeny Centennial's Ben Monroe are both headed to the Class 3A semifinals of the state wrestling tournament on Friday night. The second-ranked Rathjen pinned No. 7 Jakey Penrith of Cedar Falls in 3 minutes 11 seconds in a quarterfinal match at 113 pounds on Friday morning at Wells Fargo Arena. The freshman won for the 19th time … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Rathjen, Centennial’s Monroe earn berths in Class 3A semifinals
Jaguars advance duo to quarterfinals; 4 others alive in consolation bracket
Six of Ankeny Centennial's eight state qualifiers are still alive following Thursday's opening session in the Class 3A state wrestling tournament at Wells Fargo Arena. Ben Monroe at 120 pounds and Logan Neils at 160, who are both ranked sixth at their respective weights, each won by a major decision in the first round. Four of their teammates then won … [Read more...] about Jaguars advance duo to quarterfinals; 4 others alive in consolation bracket
Centennial, Ankeny wrestlers boast high hopes heading into state
Ankeny Centennial's eight state wrestling qualifiers aren't content with just making it to Wells Fargo Arena. Neither are the two qualifiers from Ankeny High School. "We're happy that we qualified, but we're not satisfied," said Centennial coach Jay Groth, whose team advanced the most wrestlers in the five-year history of the school. "We want to get up … [Read more...] about Centennial, Ankeny wrestlers boast high hopes heading into state
Blimpie Sub of the Week: Lizzy Johnson, Ankeny Centennial girls’ basketball
Junior Lizzy Johnson of the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team is the Ankeny Fanatic Sub of the Week sponsored by Blimpie. Johnson has helped the Jaguars to an 18-3 record and a No. 5 ranking in Class 5A. She is averaging 1.4 points and 1.1 rebounds per game heading into postseason play. Johnson is also a standout on the Centennial girls' soccer … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Lizzy Johnson, Ankeny Centennial girls’ basketball
Hot-shooting Johnston hands Jaguars their 3rd straight loss
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
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