The future looks very bright for Class 5A girls' basketball in the state of Iowa. Six sophomores and a pair of freshmen were among the players named to the Class 5A all-state teams by the Iowa Print Sports Writers Association, who selected the squads during a meeting on Saturday in conjunction with a panel of coaches. Ankeny star Savannah Gage and … [Read more...] about YOUTH MOVEMENT: Gage, Pratt among 6 sophs to earn Class 5A all-state honors
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A TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE: Fontana visits with pair of Ankeny legends
Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball coach Bob Fontana has been busy preparing his team for this week's Class 4A state tournament, but he still took some time on Sunday to visit Barney Alleman and Keith Hildreth, two former Ankeny players who played in three consecutive state tournaments in 1948-50. A third former player, Vern Herring, was unable to make it. … [Read more...] about A TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE: Fontana visits with pair of Ankeny legends
Simpson’s Dunwoody named ARC Pitcher of the Week after tossing gem
Simpson College freshman Easton Dunwoody has been named the American Rivers Conference Pitcher of the Week after earning his first collegiate victory on the mound. Dunwoody, a former Ankeny standout, made his second career start in Saturday's second game, helping the Storm to a 4-1 win over St. Olaf. It was the team's first triumph of the … [Read more...] about Simpson’s Dunwoody named ARC Pitcher of the Week after tossing gem
‘We’ve got some great athletes’: Jaguars boast 15 returning state qualifiers
With 120 athletes on the roster, the Ankeny Centennial girls' track team boasts a lot of depth in multiple areas. New head coach Tyler Asbe, who spent the last two seasons as an assistant for the Ankeny girls' team, likes what he has seen thus far from his squad. "The practices are going really well," said Asbe. "The girls have come to practice with … [Read more...] about ‘We’ve got some great athletes’: Jaguars boast 15 returning state qualifiers
Unanimous pick Gage earns all-league first-team honors along with Clark, Pratt
Ankeny sophomore guard Savannah Gage has been named to the CIML Conference girls' basketball first team along with a pair of Ankeny Centennial players--senior guard Makenna Clark and sophomore forward Jaeden Pratt. Gage, who led the Hawkettes to a 12-11 record this season, was one of five unanimous picks to the squad. She averaged 16.6 points per game, … [Read more...] about Unanimous pick Gage earns all-league first-team honors along with Clark, Pratt
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
‘Together We Rise’: Hawkettes return 16 qualifiers, look to contend for 4A crown
A year ago, the Ankeny girls' track team nearly captured a trophy at the Class 4A state meet, finishing just 1.5 points out of third place. The Hawkettes, who placed seventh with 44.5 points, might have enough talent back from that squad to earn some hardware this spring. Ankeny boasts 16 returning state qualifiers for new head coach T.J. Jumper, who … [Read more...] about ‘Together We Rise’: Hawkettes return 16 qualifiers, look to contend for 4A crown
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
‘What more could a guy ask for?’: Ankeny native Bauer named to replace Nelson
It turns out that the successor to Ankeny football coach Rick Nelson was already on his coaching staff. Assistant coach Jeff Bauer has been named to replace Nelson, who announced in early January that he was leaving to return to his previous position as the offensive line coach at Northern Iowa. "This is what I'm supposed to be doing," said Bauer, an … [Read more...] about ‘What more could a guy ask for?’: Ankeny native Bauer named to replace Nelson
Ankeny’s Gage, Pitz earn all-district honors along with Centennial duo
Ankeny girls' basketball standouts Savannah Gage and Jenna Pitz have been named to the Class 5A West all-district team for the second straight year. The duo was joined on the squad by a pair of Ankeny Centennial players, Makenna Clark and Jaeden Pratt. The all-district teams were selected by the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association. Gage, a sophomore guard, … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Gage, Pitz earn all-district honors along with Centennial duo
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