Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball coach Bob Fontana tried to look on the bright side Wednesday following his team's season-ending loss at Wells Fargo Arena. "We can be sad that we didn't win today, but let's be dang glad that it happened because you'd much rather have your season end here than before you get here," said Fontana. "This is a resilient … [Read more...] about Cold shooting, foul trouble prove costly for Jaguars in loss to No. 3 Waukee NW
Winter
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 216
In the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by Coldwell Banker Mid-America, publisher Dan Holm breaks down the Class 4A quarterfinals of the boys' state basketball tournament with coach Bob Fontana of Ankeny Centennial and previews the rest of the tournament. … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 216
CLASS 4A QUARTERFINAL: Waukee Northwest 55, Ankeny Centennial 37
The third time was not a charm for the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team. After losing twice to third-ranked Waukee Northwest during the regular season, the No. 10 Jaguars dropped a 55-37 decision to their CIML Conference rival in a Class 4A quarterfinal on Wednesday at Wells Fargo Arena. The Wolves (22-2) had won the first two meetings by scores of … [Read more...] about CLASS 4A QUARTERFINAL: Waukee Northwest 55, Ankeny Centennial 37
Boys’ state preview: Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for the Class 4A quarterfinals
Last week, top-ranked Pleasant Valley capped off an undefeated season by winning the girls' Class 5A state basketball title. Now, the No. 1 Cedar Rapids Kennedy boys' team will try to accomplish the same feat. The Class 4A tournament gets under way Wednesday at Wells Fargo Arena. Whichever team cuts down the nets on Friday night will have to win three … [Read more...] about Boys’ state preview: Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for the Class 4A quarterfinals
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Drew Schreurs, Ankeny Centennial boys’ hoops
Senior guard Drew Schreurs has helped the 10th-ranked Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team to a 16-7 record. He scored seven points and grabbed three rebounds to help his team to a 54-47 win over No. 8 Cedar Falls in a Class 4A substate final on Tuesday at Marshalltown, allowing the Jaguars to advance to the state tournament for the second time in school … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Drew Schreurs, Ankeny Centennial boys’ hoops
Centennial’s Bryan among 23 players named to IBCA academic all-state team
Ankeny Centennial senior forward Evan Bryan has been named to the academic all-state team by the Iowa Basketball Coaches Association. He was one of 23 players selected to the squad by a panel from more than 120 applicants. Bryan has averaged 10.5 points and 4.0 rebounds per game while helping the 10th-ranked Jaguars to a 16-7 record. He is shooting a … [Read more...] about Centennial’s Bryan among 23 players named to IBCA academic all-state team
After leading Jaguars to semifinals, Pratt named to Class 5A all-tournament team
Sophomore forward Jaeden Pratt of Ankeny Centennial has been named to the Class 5A all-tournament team at the girls' state basketball tournament in Des Moines. Pratt was honored on Friday night following the Class 5A championship game at Wells Fargo Arena. She averaged 9.5 points and 5.5 rebounds while leading the Jaguars to the semifinals of the … [Read more...] about After leading Jaguars to semifinals, Pratt named to Class 5A all-tournament team
‘We just came up short’: Jaguars suffer late scoring drought, tumble to Johnston
Thursday morning's Class 5A semifinal showdown between second-ranked Johnston and No. 6 Ankeny Centennial turned into a backyard brawl at the girls' state basketball tournament. Playing for the third time this season, the CIML Conference rivals waged a fierce defensive battle before the Dragons scored the final six points of the game to emerge with a … [Read more...] about ‘We just came up short’: Jaguars suffer late scoring drought, tumble to Johnston
An all-CIML title game?: Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for the Class 5A semifinals
There was only one upset in Monday's Class 5A quarterfinals at the girls' state basketball tournament, where sixth-seeded Ankeny Centennial avenged last year's quarterfinal loss to Waterloo West with a 60-51 win over the No. 3 Wahawks. In the other three games, the higher seeds all won by an average of 17 points. Three teams from the CIML Conference--No. … [Read more...] about An all-CIML title game?: Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for the Class 5A semifinals
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 215
In the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by Coldwell Banker Mid-America, publisher Dan Holm previews the boys' state basketball tournament with coach Bob Fontana of Ankeny Centennial and breaks down the semifinal matchups in the girls' tournament with coach Scott DeJong of Centennial. Coldwell Banker realtor Cody Pasa also makes … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 215
‘We’re on top of the world’: Jaguars rally past Cedar Falls, earn 2nd trip to state
The Comeback Kids are headed to Wells Fargo Arena. The 10th-ranked Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team erased an early 10-point deficit and went on to defeat No. 8 Cedar Falls, 54-47, in a Class 4A substate final on Tuesday at Marshalltown. The Jaguars (16-7) advanced to the state tournament for the second time in school history. "It feels amazing … [Read more...] about ‘We’re on top of the world’: Jaguars rally past Cedar Falls, earn 2nd trip to state
SWEET REVENGE: Jaguars oust No. 3 Waterloo West, will play Johnston next
A year ago, the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team ended its season with a loss to Waterloo West in the Class 5A quarterfinals. On Monday at Wells Fargo Arena, the Jaguars returned the favor. Sixth-seeded Centennial got 20 points from senior guard Makenna Clark and defeated No. 3 Waterloo West, 60-51, on the opening day of the state … [Read more...] about SWEET REVENGE: Jaguars oust No. 3 Waterloo West, will play Johnston next
Central Bank Athlete of the Month: Mya Crawford, Ankeny Centennial sophomore
The versatile guard scores 10 points and grabs nine rebounds to help the Jaguars to a 60-51 win over Waterloo West in a Class 5A quarterfinal at the girls' state basketball tournament. … [Read more...] about Central Bank Athlete of the Month: Mya Crawford, Ankeny Centennial sophomore
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Makenna Clark, Centennial girls’ hoops
Senior guard Makenna Clark scored six points and grabbed six rebounds to help the sixth-ranked Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team to a 35-32 victory over No. 11 Linn-Mar (Marion) in a Class 5A regional final on Tuesday at Centennial. The Jaguars earned a third consecutive trip to the state tournament for the first time in school history. Clark is … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Makenna Clark, Centennial girls’ hoops
State tourney preview: Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for the Class 5A quarterfinals
In recent years, the Central Iowa Metropolitan League has dominated the girls' Class 5A state basketball tournament. Waukee cruised to the title in 2021, winning its three games at Wells Fargo Arena by an average of 24 points. Then, last year, Johnston reached the championship game for the third straight year and won its second crown in that span in … [Read more...] about State tourney preview: Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for the Class 5A quarterfinals
Jaguars topple Iowa City West, will play No. 8 Cedar Falls for state tourney berth
The Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball players were prepared for a battle on Friday night. The 10th-ranked Jaguars survived their postseason opener, posting a 57-52 win over visiting Iowa City West in a Class 4A substate semifinal. "I thought we adjusted really well after the first quarter to the physicality of the game," said Centennial coach Bob … [Read more...] about Jaguars topple Iowa City West, will play No. 8 Cedar Falls for state tourney berth
IT’S A THREEPEAT!: Centennial girls hold off Linn-Mar, earn another trip to state
The seniors on the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team got one last chance to play on their home court Tuesday night. They didn't want it to be their final game. Kennedy White scored 11 points, Averi Porter dished out six assists and Makenna Clark made a pair of 3-point goals to help the sixth-ranked Jaguars to a 35-32 victory over No. 11 Linn-Mar … [Read more...] about IT’S A THREEPEAT!: Centennial girls hold off Linn-Mar, earn another trip to state
Jaguars rout Urbandale again, will host Linn-Mar for trip to 5A state tournament
The Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team has never qualified for the state tournament in three consecutive seasons. The sixth-ranked Jaguars moved a step closer toward doing just that with a 60-19 victory over visiting Urbandale in a Class 5A regional semifinal on Saturday. They raced out to a 21-0 lead in the first quarter, built a 43-4 advantage at … [Read more...] about Jaguars rout Urbandale again, will host Linn-Mar for trip to 5A state tournament
‘It was a tough road loss’: Jaguars fall to Johnston in final game of regular season
The eighth-ranked Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team closed out the regular season on Friday with a 53-46 loss at Johnston. The Dragons pulled away from a tie in the last 4 minutes to earn their third straight win. They avenged an earlier 63-60 loss at Centennial in double overtime. Johnston finished 7-9 in the CIML Conference and improved to … [Read more...] about ‘It was a tough road loss’: Jaguars fall to Johnston in final game of regular season
‘We just didn’t have a good shooting night’: Jaguars fall at No. 3 Waukee NW
With a five-game winning streak, the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team entered Friday's showdown at Waukee Northwest with a whole lot of confidence. After dropping a 74-48 decision to the third-ranked Wolves, the No. 6 Jaguars will have to regroup. "We just didn't have a good shooting night," said Centennial coach Bob Fontana. "The whole … [Read more...] about ‘We just didn’t have a good shooting night’: Jaguars fall at No. 3 Waukee NW