Ankeny Fanatic

Your Ankeny Sports Resource

Winter

State tourney preview: Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for Class 5A quarterfinals

by

The players on the court may not be the only people wearing shorts on Monday at Wells Fargo Arena. With a forecast calling for a high temperature of 75 degrees, it's not going to feel like girls' state basketball tournament weather in Des Moines. But perhaps the unseasonably warm February day will be appropriate--because the action on the court could be … [Read more...] about State tourney preview: Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for Class 5A quarterfinals

‘We don’t win the game without them’: Klingner, Smith help Jags past Roosevelt

by

All season long, senior point guard Luke Winkel has been carrying a heavy load for the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team. On Friday at Centennial, two junior reserves--Cabryn Klingner and Will Smith--helped the 10th-ranked Jaguars keep their season alive. Klingner scored all eight of his points in the first half, then Smith had all eight of his … [Read more...] about ‘We don’t win the game without them’: Klingner, Smith help Jags past Roosevelt

‘Our kids really stepped up’: Jaguars roll past S.C. East, earn another trip to state

by

The Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team is headed back to Wells Fargo Arena. The fifth-ranked Jaguars advanced to the state tournament for the fourth consecutive year by defeating No. 10 Sioux City East, 53-25, in a Class 5A regional final on Tuesday at Centennial. This time, coach Scott DeJong's squad didn't have to sweat out a close game in the … [Read more...] about ‘Our kids really stepped up’: Jaguars roll past S.C. East, earn another trip to state

Martin, Crawford lead No. 5 Jaguars past Sioux City North in postseason opener

by

Ava Martin wasn't going to let a gash on her head take her out of the lineup for the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team. The junior guard made 4-of-7 3-point shots and scored 12 points to help the fifth-ranked Jaguars to a 64-30 victory over visiting Sioux City North in a Class 5A regional semifinal on Saturday. She wore a bandage across her … [Read more...] about Martin, Crawford lead No. 5 Jaguars past Sioux City North in postseason opener

Winkel reaches milestone as Jags beat Johnston to close out regular season

by

The Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team closed out the regular season Thursday on a high note. The 10th-ranked Jaguars jumped out to a 17-8 lead at the end of the first quarter and went on to post a 59-40 victory over visiting Johnston, allowing them to complete a sweep of the season series. "We got off to a great start," said Centennial coach Bob … [Read more...] about Winkel reaches milestone as Jags beat Johnston to close out regular season

‘We played a lot better the 2nd half’: Jags solve zone defense, beat Winterset

by

It took awhile for the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team to figure out its opponent's zone defense on Monday night. After trailing by one point at halftime, the 10th-ranked Jaguars pulled away in the second half for a 59-47 non-conference win over visiting Winterset, the No. 7 team in Class 3A. It wasn't pretty, but Centennial improved to 15-6 … [Read more...] about ‘We played a lot better the 2nd half’: Jags solve zone defense, beat Winterset

Jaguars fall short against Dowling, will await 4A substate pairings on Monday

by

After playing one of its best games of the season on Friday, the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team looked like a different squad less than 24 hours later. The eighth-ranked Jaguars dropped a 52-48 decision to visiting Dowling Catholic in a CIML Conference game on Saturday afternoon. The Maroons, who swept the season series, were coming off a 65-60 … [Read more...] about Jaguars fall short against Dowling, will await 4A substate pairings on Monday

‘It was a hard-fought game’: Jags edge Waukee NW, end regular season at 12-8

by

(Story by Gabe Ploeger) In a game that never lacked competitive spirit, the fifth-ranked Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team closed out the regular season on Friday with a 48-44 victory over visiting Waukee Northwest, the No. 12 squad in Class 5A. The Jaguars outscored Northwest in the fourth quarter, 13-9, to break away from a 35-35 tie. “It … [Read more...] about ‘It was a hard-fought game’: Jags edge Waukee NW, end regular season at 12-8

‘We defended the jungle’: Centennial boys shut down Wolves for 49-35 victory

by

(Story by Gabe Ploeger) The Waukee Northwest boys' basketball team had won six straight games and nine of their last 10, and the 10th-ranked Wolves intended to keep that hot streak going. But No. 8 Ankeny Centennial had their own plans. The Jaguars relied on a stingy defense to beat visiting Northwest, 49-35, in a CIML Conference game on … [Read more...] about ‘We defended the jungle’: Centennial boys shut down Wolves for 49-35 victory

Centennial boys defeat Rams again, will host Waukee Northwest, Dowling next

by

Tuesday's game was far from perfect for the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team. But the eighth-ranked Jaguars were good enough to emerge with a victory. Centennial overcame a 36-27 rebounding disadvantage to beat visiting Southeast Polk, 64-53, for the second time this season. The final score was almost identical to last month's 64-55 outcome at … [Read more...] about Centennial boys defeat Rams again, will host Waukee Northwest, Dowling next

Crawford avoids major injury, scores 18 points in Jaguars’ victory over S.E. Polk

by

Many of the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball fans held their breath when standout guard Mya Crawford suffered an injury Tuesday during a game against visiting Southeast Polk. Crawford hyperextended her knee with 2 minutes 38 seconds left in the second quarter and was helped off the court. "It didn't look good," said Centennial coach Scott DeJong. … [Read more...] about Crawford avoids major injury, scores 18 points in Jaguars’ victory over S.E. Polk

Ankeny girls finish 7th at state behind placewinners McGrew, Bratland, Bockes

by

It was a memorable state tournament for the Ankeny girls' wrestling team. Ankeny placed seventh in the two-day event that concluded on Friday night at Xtream Arena in Coralville, finishing with 86 points. The team had placed 40th a year ago in its inaugural season. "I think it is absolutely amazing to have seen our program grow so much in one year," … [Read more...] about Ankeny girls finish 7th at state behind placewinners McGrew, Bratland, Bockes

Ankeny girls advance 2 wrestlers to semifinals, sit in 4th place at state meet

by

Ankeny's Hayden Bratland and Haylee McGrew are both headed to the semifinals of the girls' state wrestling tournament on Friday. Bratland and McGrew each won three matches on Thursday at Xtream Arena in Coralville, helping Ankeny move into fourth place heading into the final day of the meet. "Up and down, it was an emotional day. But we ended with some … [Read more...] about Ankeny girls advance 2 wrestlers to semifinals, sit in 4th place at state meet

Jaguars roll to victory over North after dropping to No. 8 in latest 4A rankings

by

The Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team dropped to No. 8 in the latest Class 4A rankings from the Iowa High School Athletic Association, making Monday's non-conference game against visiting Des Moines North all the more important. The Jaguars are fighting for a No. 1 seed in a substate tournament, which will go to the top eight teams in the final … [Read more...] about Jaguars roll to victory over North after dropping to No. 8 in latest 4A rankings

‘We’ve improved’: Centennial girls suffer another close loss to top-4 opponent

by

The gauntlet continued on Monday for the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team. Facing a top-four opponent for the third time in a week, the fifth-ranked Jaguars got off to a slow start on their home court and eventually dropped a 51-45 decision to No. 3 Dowling Catholic. "We played hard enough, but we've just got to play a little bit better," said … [Read more...] about ‘We’ve improved’: Centennial girls suffer another close loss to top-4 opponent

Vaske, Oakie lead 4 players in double figures as Jaguars roll past C.R. Prairie

by

A fast start ignited the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team to a 78-44 victory over visiting Cedar Rapids Prairie in a non-conference game on Saturday. The fifth-ranked Jaguars jumped out to a 30-11 lead at the end of the first quarter. They eventually built a 67-33 advantage after three periods. "We got off to a great start," said Centennial … [Read more...] about Vaske, Oakie lead 4 players in double figures as Jaguars roll past C.R. Prairie

Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Dana Cleveland, Ankeny girls’ wrestling

by

Senior Dana Cleveland is one of eight state qualifiers for the Ankeny girls' wrestling team. She is ranked fourth at 145 pounds with a 37-1 record. The state tournament will be held on Thursday and Friday at Xtream Arena in Coralville. Cleveland, who placed fourth at 135 last year, will meet Annabelle Stelpflug of Iowa City High in her opening … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Dana Cleveland, Ankeny girls’ wrestling

‘It was a great game’: Jaguars take No. 1 Johnston down to wire before falling

by

The Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team has significantly closed the gap on the state's top-ranked squad. The No. 5 Jaguars battled visiting Johnston down to the wire on Friday before dropping a 64-59 decision. The Dragons had won the first meeting, 64-37, on Dec. 12. "It was a great game," said Centennial coach Scott DeJong. "Our team has really … [Read more...] about ‘It was a great game’: Jaguars take No. 1 Johnston down to wire before falling