Ankeny Fanatic

Your Ankeny Sports Resource

Winter

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

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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

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(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

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(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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

Cleveland, Bratland claim titles, lead Ankeny to overall crown at super regional

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For the second straight year, the Ankeny girls' wrestling team has qualified eight competitors for the state tournament. Ankeny easily won a super regional meet on Friday at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines. The team racked up 277 points, 100 more than runner-up Dallas Center-Grimes. Ankeny crowned two individual champions and had three other … [Read more...] about Cleveland, Bratland claim titles, lead Ankeny to overall crown at super regional

No. 3 Warriors rally past Centennial boys, close in on CIML Conference crown

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The third-ranked Waukee boys' basketball team showed on Tuesday why the Warriors will probably win the CIML Conference title. The host Warriors overcame a 14-point deficit in the second quarter to beat No. 5 Ankeny Centennial, 70-56, for the second time this season. They improved to 11-1 in the league and 11-4 overall, while the Jaguars' records dropped … [Read more...] about No. 3 Warriors rally past Centennial boys, close in on CIML Conference crown

Waukee girls lead from start to finish, snap Jaguars’ 6-game winning streak

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The fifth-ranked Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team just couldn't get over the hump on Tuesday at No. 4 Waukee. The Warriors scored the game's first seven points and led all the way en route to a 60-53 victory. The loss snapped Centennial's six-game winning streak. "We didn't come out well at all, and it was disappointing," said Centennial coach … [Read more...] about Waukee girls lead from start to finish, snap Jaguars’ 6-game winning streak

Ankeny girls’ team wins Pleasantville Duals, finishes season with 23-2 record

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The Ankeny girls' wrestling team easily defeated four opponents on Monday at the Pleasantville Duals. Ankeny posted wins over Albia (48-27), Ballard (60-9), Cardinal (73-0) and Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont (48-33). Coach Dustin Roland's team finished the season with a 23-2 dual record. Ankeny used a lineup comprised mostly of junior varsity … [Read more...] about Ankeny girls’ team wins Pleasantville Duals, finishes season with 23-2 record

Centennial boys rout Waterloo West for most lopsided victory in school history

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The outcome of Saturday's non-conference boys' basketball game at Ankeny Centennial was decided shortly after the contest began. The sixth-ranked Jaguars jumped out to a 30-8 lead in the first quarter, built a 53-10 halftime advantage and rolled to an 87-25 victory over visiting Waterloo West. It was the most lopsided win in school history, eclipsing … [Read more...] about Centennial boys rout Waterloo West for most lopsided victory in school history

Winkel scores career-high 34, outduels Uecker in Jaguars’ win over Urbandale

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Two of the top boys' basketball scorers in the CIML Conference collided on Thursday at Ankeny Centennial. The matchup proved to be highly entertaining. Luke Winkel scored a career-high 34 points to lead the sixth-ranked Jaguars to a 73-64 win over visiting Urbandale, which got 31 points from Grant Uecker in a losing effort. "Give some credit to … [Read more...] about Winkel scores career-high 34, outduels Uecker in Jaguars’ win over Urbandale

Martin’s big first half sparks Centennial girls to 47-25 victory over Urbandale

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On most nights, the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team can rely on double-figure scoring from the duo of Mya Crawford and Jaeden Pratt. Against visiting Urbandale on Thursday, the fifth-ranked Jaguars got an unexpected spark from junior guard Ava Martin. Martin scored 13 of her 15 points in the first half and also grabbed seven rebounds to lead … [Read more...] about Martin’s big first half sparks Centennial girls to 47-25 victory over Urbandale