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
News
‘My hat’s off to Ames’: Little Cyclones end Ankeny’s season with huge 2nd half
The first half of Friday's game at Ames could not have gone much better for the Ankeny boys' basketball team. Unfortunately, the second half could not have gone any worse. After building a 39-26 halftime lead, the Hawks were outscored in the final two periods, 46-12, and dropped a 72-51 decision in a Class 4A substate semifinal. They finished an … [Read more...] about ‘My hat’s off to Ames’: Little Cyclones end Ankeny’s season with huge 2nd half
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 214
In the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by Coldwell Banker Mid-America, publisher Dan Holm breaks down the boys' basketball postseason with coaches Brandt Carlson of Ankeny and Bob Fontana of Ankeny Centennial and previews the girls' state tournament with Centennial senior post player Kennedy White. … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 214
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
Hawkettes’ valiant effort falls short in regional final at No. 5 Davenport North
Ankeny's dream of qualifying for the girls' state basketball tournament will have to wait at least another year. The 12th-ranked Hawkettes led for much of the game before falling at No. 5 Davenport North, 65-61, in a Class 5A regional final on Tuesday. The Wildcats (21-2) advanced to next week's state tournament at Wells Fargo Arena, while Ankeny finished … [Read more...] about Hawkettes’ valiant effort falls short in regional final at No. 5 Davenport North
Unhittable Brecht named DI Baseball Pitcher of the Week, earns B1G honor too
If former Ankeny pitcher Brody Brecht continues to throw like he did on Saturday, he may have to reconsider his dual sport career at the University of Iowa. The sophomore righthander was named the DI Baseball Pitcher of the Week, it was announced on Monday. Then, on Tuesday, he was tabbed the Big Ten Co-Pitcher of the Week along with Dominic Pianto … [Read more...] about Unhittable Brecht named DI Baseball Pitcher of the Week, earns B1G honor too
Ankeny place-kicker Warner verbally commits to play for Simpson College
Like a lot of athletes, Ankeny football player Keeghan Warner wanted to continue his career at the collegiate level, but part of his decision-making process included financial considerations. Warner, a place-kicker, found the right fit in Simpson College. He announced his verbal commitment to the Storm over the weekend. "I looked at a pretty good … [Read more...] about Ankeny place-kicker Warner verbally commits to play for Simpson College
‘It’s what we needed’: Aguirre scores 27, leads Hawks to lopsided substate win
With an 8-14 record, the Ankeny boys' basketball team didn't win enough games to earn a first-round bye in postseason play. That was just fine with junior Lio Aguirre. Aguirre poured in 27 points to lead the Hawks to a 76-52 victory over visiting Ottumwa in a Class 4A substate quarterfinal on Monday. The Bulldogs, who had won their previous two games … [Read more...] about ‘It’s what we needed’: Aguirre scores 27, leads Hawks to lopsided substate win
Hawk wrestlers place 10th, Jaguars finish 12th in Class 3A state tournament
It was a rollercoaster Saturday for the Ankeny wrestling team during the consolation finals of the Class 3A state tournament at Wells Fargo Arena. The Hawks went 3-7 on the day and finished in 10th place overall with 89.5 points. Still, they had six placewinners for the first time under coach Jack Wignall. "It was a really fun tournament," said … [Read more...] about Hawk wrestlers place 10th, Jaguars finish 12th in Class 3A state tournament
‘We found a way to win’: Ankeny girls advance with late rally against Wolves
Saturday's game against visiting Waukee Northwest put a lot of stress on Ankeny girls' basketball coach Dru McAnelly. "I think I lost a year of my life because of that game," McAnelly said. In the end, though, the 12th-ranked Hawkettes held off Northwest for a 56-54 victory in a Class 5A regional semifinal. They defeated the Wolves for the third time … [Read more...] about ‘We found a way to win’: Ankeny girls advance with late rally against Wolves
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Savannah Gage, Ankeny girls’ basketball
Sophomore guard Savannah Gage scored 22 points to lead the 12th-ranked Ankeny girls' basketball team to a 56-54 victory over visiting Waukee Northwest in a Class 5A regional semifinal on Saturday. She had 17 of her points in the first half. Gage has helped the Hawkettes to a 12-10 record. She is averaging 16.3 points per game and leads the team with 29 … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Savannah Gage, Ankeny girls’ basketball
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
Ankeny wrestlers fall to 10th, Jaguars drop to 12th after semifinal losses
It was a rough Friday night at Wells Fargo Arena for the Ankeny Centennial wrestling team. Crosstown rival Ankeny fared considerably better in the Class 3A state tournament, especially in the consolation rounds. The Hawks went 6-3 on the back sides of the brackets and are now in 10th place with 81.5 points. Six of Ankeny's nine state qualifiers earned … [Read more...] about Ankeny wrestlers fall to 10th, Jaguars drop to 12th after semifinal losses
‘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
‘That was awesome’: Cale Vandermark, Lucas Bruhl punch tickets to semifinals
Ankeny Centennial freshman Cale Vandermark was getting tired during his quarterfinal match at the Class 3A state wrestling tournament on Thursday. His opponent, though, was beginning to fade as well under the bright lights at Wells Fargo Arena. The sixth-seeded Vandermark got a takedown in the final seconds of regulation to force overtime, then got … [Read more...] about ‘That was awesome’: Cale Vandermark, Lucas Bruhl punch tickets to semifinals
MOVING ON: Ankeny’s Hansen, Anderson advance to semifinals for first time
In each of the last two seasons, Ankeny wrestlers Ben Hansen and Jace Anderson couldn't advance past the quarterfinals of the Class 3A state tournament. On Thursday night at Wells Fargo Arena, the duo smashed through that hurdle in impressive fashion. The third-seeded Hansen posted a 6-2 decision over No. 6 Trevor Oberbroeckling of Southeast Polk in a … [Read more...] about MOVING ON: Ankeny’s Hansen, Anderson advance to semifinals for first time
Revive Clinic and Spa Coach of the Month: Jay Groth, Ankeny Centennial wrestling
The Jaguars are currently tied with Ankeny for 6th place midway through the Class 3A state tournament. … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Coach of the Month: Jay Groth, Ankeny Centennial wrestling
Hinrichs avenges district loss, moves on to quarterfinals along with 3 other Hawks
A huge win by senior Will Hinrichs helped put the Ankeny wrestling team into early contention for a top-five finish in the Class 3A state tournament at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines. The ninth-seeded Hinrichs posted a 7-4 decision over No. 8 Joshua Hemsted of Carlisle in a second-round match at 220 pounds on Wednesday night. He avenged a 5-4 loss in the … [Read more...] about Hinrichs avenges district loss, moves on to quarterfinals along with 3 other Hawks
Ankeny DB Johnson commits to play football at Benedictine College
Ankeny defensive back Reid Johnson has committed to play football at Benedictine College, an NAIA school located in Atchison, Kan. Johnson announced his commitment via Twitter on Wednesday. "COMMITTED!!" he tweeted. "Thank you to my family, friends, and coaches for always supporting me and pushing me. I will be furthering my academic and athletic … [Read more...] about Ankeny DB Johnson commits to play football at Benedictine College
Jaguars advance 4 wrestlers into Thursday’s quarterfinals, sit in 7th place
The Ankeny Centennial wrestling team sits in seventh place with 36 points after Wednesday's opening session of the Class 3A state tournament at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines. The Jaguars qualified a school-record 12 wrestlers for the tournament and advanced four of them into Thursday night's quarterfinals. They are sixth-seeded Cale Vandermark at 106 … [Read more...] about Jaguars advance 4 wrestlers into Thursday’s quarterfinals, sit in 7th place