(Story by Gabe Ploeger) The Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team just couldn’t get the shots to fall. Sixth-ranked Dowling Catholic outscored No. 2 Centennial in all four quarters and cruised to a 60-34 win over the visiting Jaguars on Friday. The Maroons bounced back from a 55-42 loss to No. 5 Valley on Tuesday, which could be a sign of things to … [Read more...] about ‘Give Dowling credit’: No. 6 Maroons hand cold-shooting Centennial its first loss
Winter
‘It was a good road win’: Centennial boys top Urbandale on Fontana’s birthday
Bob Fontana celebrated his birthday on Tuesday with a season-opening victory. His Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team jumped out to an early lead and led all the way in a 64-51 win at Urbandale in a CIML Conference game. "It was a good road win and a good way to start the season," said Fontana. "You never know what to expect the first game. You're … [Read more...] about ‘It was a good road win’: Centennial boys top Urbandale on Fontana’s birthday
Ankeny girls rack up 7 falls, roll past Valley in CIML Conference opener
The Ankeny girls' wrestling team will find out in the next couple of days where it stands among the state's elite squads. Ankeny coach Dustin Roland was hoping that his team would be tested on Tuesday, but that didn't turn out to be the case. Roland's squad recorded seven falls and won five other matches by forfeit to beat Valley, 72-12, in its CIML … [Read more...] about Ankeny girls rack up 7 falls, roll past Valley in CIML Conference opener
Centennial girls dominate boards, force 26 turnovers in victory at Urbandale
On a night when the shots weren't falling at a high rate for the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team, the Jaguars found other ways to dominate their opponent. Fifth-ranked Centennial racked up a 48-19 rebounding advantage and also forced 26 turnovers en route to a 75-33 victory at Urbandale in its CIML Conference opener on Tuesday. The Jaguars … [Read more...] about Centennial girls dominate boards, force 26 turnovers in victory at Urbandale
‘This was a huge win’: Late rally allows Jaguars to knock off No. 2 Pleasant Valley
This wasn't just another November victory for the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team. The fifth-ranked Jaguars scored the final nine points of the game and rallied to beat No. 2 Pleasant Valley, 44-40, on Saturday in Cedar Rapids. The contest was part of the 19th Rivalry Saturday held on the campus of Kirkwood Community College. "To go to a … [Read more...] about ‘This was a huge win’: Late rally allows Jaguars to knock off No. 2 Pleasant Valley
‘We have talent and depth and numbers’: Jaguars boast 8 returning state qualifiers
A year ago, Ankeny Centennial advanced 12 wrestlers to the Class 3A state tournament--the most in school history. Now, eight of those 12 wrestlers are back, the most returning qualifiers the Jaguars have ever had under coach Jay Groth. "We are an experienced crew," Groth said. "We are working hard to raise the bar to get to the next level. We have a … [Read more...] about ‘We have talent and depth and numbers’: Jaguars boast 8 returning state qualifiers
Jaguars return 3 starters from state tourney team, led by all-stater Winkel
On paper, the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team returns some of the key players from last year's squad that posted a 16-8 record and qualified for the Class 4A state tournament. Centennial coach Bob Fontana knows, however, that another successful season is not guaranteed. "We do have a nucleus to build around and having experience can be … [Read more...] about Jaguars return 3 starters from state tourney team, led by all-stater Winkel
Hot-shooting Jaguars rout Roosevelt, will face No. 2 Pleasant Valley on Saturday
The Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team won't have many games like Tuesday's season opener against visiting Des Moines Roosevelt. Perhaps the fifth-ranked Jaguars won't have any like it. Centennial raced out to a 54-6 halftime lead and rolled to a 73-18 victory over the Roughriders in a non-conference game. "We shot the ball well. We were … [Read more...] about Hot-shooting Jaguars rout Roosevelt, will face No. 2 Pleasant Valley on Saturday
Cleveland, McGrew pin their way to titles, lead Ankeny to team crown at Nevada
After winning the Central Iowa Kickoff on Saturday at Nevada, the Ankeny girls' wrestling team has earned a little bit of a break. Ankeny won't compete again until Nov. 28, when it faces Valley in its CIML Conference opener at Johnston. "We have a number of girls banged up already this season so we are excited to have some recovery time over the … [Read more...] about Cleveland, McGrew pin their way to titles, lead Ankeny to team crown at Nevada
‘They have lots of abilities they bring to the table’: Pratt, Crawford to lead Jaguars
When the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team opens its season on Tuesday with a non-conference game against visiting Des Moines Roosevelt, the Jaguars will start a lineup consisting of five underclassmen. That's because there are no seniors on the squad's roster. "I do think we have had (this situation) before, but rarely," said Centennial coach … [Read more...] about ‘They have lots of abilities they bring to the table’: Pratt, Crawford to lead Jaguars
No. 7 Ankeny girls rout DC-G, then post 42-39 win over No. 1 Waverly-Shell Rock
A year ago, the Ankeny girls' wrestling team opened its inaugural season with a pair of losses to Dallas Center-Grimes and Waverly-Shell Rock. On Tuesday at Dallas Center-Grimes, Ankeny avenged those losses in impressive fashion. After opening the season with a 72-9 victory over Dallas Center-Grimes, seventh-ranked Ankeny then followed with a 42-39 win … [Read more...] about No. 7 Ankeny girls rout DC-G, then post 42-39 win over No. 1 Waverly-Shell Rock
Centennial point guard Winkel to play basketball next year at St. Cloud State
Ankeny Centennial basketball standout Luke Winkel has made his college plans. The senior point guard announced on social media Monday that he will continue his career at St. Cloud State, an NCAA Division II program and a member of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. "Throughout the recruiting process, I met a lot of great people and had nice … [Read more...] about Centennial point guard Winkel to play basketball next year at St. Cloud State
‘It could be a special season’: Ankeny girls’ wrestling team sets higher goals
The expectations have been raised for the Ankeny girls' wrestling program. Ankeny advanced eight wrestlers to the state tournament in its inaugural season and graduated just one of those qualifiers. The team has also added a pair of talented newcomers in freshman Hayden Bratland and junior Haylee McGrew, who both won matches over the second-ranked girls … [Read more...] about ‘It could be a special season’: Ankeny girls’ wrestling team sets higher goals
‘I always wanted to stay close to home’: Crawford commits to play for Bulldogs
Ankeny Centennial junior Mya Crawford has verbally committed to play for the Drake women's basketball program. The versatile wing player announced her decision via social media on Friday. "I would like to take the time to thank all of my teammates, friends, and family for being my biggest supporters," she tweeted. "Thank you to ALL of my coaches who … [Read more...] about ‘I always wanted to stay close to home’: Crawford commits to play for Bulldogs
‘I’m so excited to be a Redbird!’: Versatile Pratt to play basketball at Illinois State
Ankeny Centennial junior Jaeden Pratt is enjoying another outstanding volleyball season. Her future, though, is on the basketball court. Pratt has verbally committed to play that sport at Illinois State, beginning in 2025. She announced her decision via social media on Thursday. "I visited a lot of schools that were around the Midwest, but something … [Read more...] about ‘I’m so excited to be a Redbird!’: Versatile Pratt to play basketball at Illinois State
Centennial senior Porter receives Karon Brown Award from IGHSAU
Ankeny Centennial senior Averi Porter has been named the recipient of the Karon Brown Award by the Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union. The award is a tribute to Brown, who served the IGHSAU for 43 years, most recently as the Senior Associate Director. "I was aware that I was up for the award, but I was shocked when I heard that I was the loan … [Read more...] about Centennial senior Porter receives Karon Brown Award from IGHSAU
Clark, White help SW Iowa team to crown at Pizza Ranch All-Star games
Ankeny Centennial seniors Makenna Clark and Kennedy White helped the Southwest Iowa girls' team to the championship of the 2023 Pizza Ranch All-Star basketball games on Saturday at Dallas Center-Grimes. Centennial's Scott DeJong coached the team along with Kylee Boettcher of Panorama. White scored 10 points as Southwest Iowa defeated the Northwest Iowa … [Read more...] about Clark, White help SW Iowa team to crown at Pizza Ranch All-Star games
‘CCU has just what I was looking for’: White to join Phipps at Division II school
Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball standout Kennedy White is following in the footsteps of another ex-Jaguar. White has committed to play for Colorado Christian University, an NCAA Division II school in Lakewood, Colo. One of her new teammates will be Maggie Phipps, who was an all-state guard at Centennial two years ago. "I talked to Maggie about CCU … [Read more...] about ‘CCU has just what I was looking for’: White to join Phipps at Division II school
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Nick Vaske, Ankeny Centennial boys’ hoops
Junior guard Nick Vaske helped the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team to a 16-8 record this season. He made 3-of-4 attempts from 3-point range and scored 10 points in the Jaguars' 55-37 loss to Waukee Northwest in the Class 4A quarterfinals on Wednesday at Wells Fargo Arena. Vaske started all 24 games, averaging 9.1 points and 4.5 rebounds. He shot … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Nick Vaske, Ankeny Centennial boys’ hoops
Cold shooting, foul trouble prove costly for Jaguars in loss to No. 3 Waukee NW
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