Ankeny Fanatic

Your Ankeny Sports Resource

Winter

Another heartbreaking loss to Valley ends Jaguars’ postseason run

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It shouldn't surprise anyone that Friday's Class 4A substate semifinal between the Ankeny Centennial and Valley boys' basketball teams came down to the last possession. Whenever these two CIML Central Conference rivals collide, the game often is decided in the final seconds. On Friday, second-seeded Valley escaped with a 48-46 victory in overtime when … [Read more...] about Another heartbreaking loss to Valley ends Jaguars’ postseason run

Jaguars’ 10-game winning streak ends with loss to Valley in regional final

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This wasn't the same Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team that was riding a 10-game winning streak. It certainly wasn't the same Valley squad that had lost six consecutive games earlier this season. The 12th-ranked Tigers used a 25-point fourth quarter to post a 58-44 victory in a Class 5A regional final on Tuesday at No. 5 Centennial. The game was … [Read more...] about Jaguars’ 10-game winning streak ends with loss to Valley in regional final

Olson, Wycoff, McCullough earn all-district honors

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Seniors Chloe Olson and Sydney Wycoff of Ankeny Centennial have been named to the Class 5A West all-district girls' basketball team along with junior Sara McCullough of Ankeny. The all-district teams were selected by the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association. Olson, a forward, has led the Jaguars to a 19-3 record and a No. 5 ranking in Class 5A. She leads the … [Read more...] about Olson, Wycoff, McCullough earn all-district honors

Jaguars survive dogfight against Lincoln, advance to substate semifinal

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Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball coach Bob Fontana was hoping that his players learned a valuable lesson on Friday night. Monday's game against the same opponent showed that the Jaguars possibly didn't get the message. Three days after Centennial let up in the second half of a 66-52 victory over Des Moines Lincoln in its regular-season finale, the … [Read more...] about Jaguars survive dogfight against Lincoln, advance to substate semifinal

Centennial girls fight off pesky Urbandale squad, will host Valley next

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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

Monroe has no answers for Biscoglia Buzzsaw, earns repeat runner-up finish

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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

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  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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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  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

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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

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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

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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

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  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

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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