Only one loss separates the top five boys' basketball teams in the CIML Conference, but the upcoming week should help differentiate the contenders from the pretenders. Second-ranked Valley leads the logjam at the top of the league standings with a 7-1 record. The Tigers are followed closely by No. 8 Waukee (6-1), No. 5 Johnston (7-2), No. 3 Waukee … [Read more...] about CIML Conference basketball standings
News
No. 2 Valley boys use 12-0 run in 4th quarter to thwart Hawks’ upset bid
(Story by Stephen McDaniel) For three and a half quarters, it felt like the Ankeny boys' basketball team had second-ranked Valley on the ropes and on the verge of a major victory. But a 12-0 run and one too many trips to the free-throw line for Valley helped the Tigers escape out of Ankeny with a 64-60 win on Friday. “We played really hard and … [Read more...] about No. 2 Valley boys use 12-0 run in 4th quarter to thwart Hawks’ upset bid
Gage surpasses 1,000-point milestone, leads Ankeny past Tigers to end skid
(Story by Stephen McDaniel) Over the course of her career, Savannah Gage has scored countless baskets and accumulated many points in the process. But her 14 points on Friday night gave the Ankeny girls' basketball team more than one reason to celebrate. Gage not only helped the 15th-ranked Hawkettes snap a seven-game losing streak in a 52-49 win over … [Read more...] about Gage surpasses 1,000-point milestone, leads Ankeny past Tigers to end skid
‘They beat us in every phase of the game’: No. 3 Wolves roll past Centennial boys
The struggles continued on Friday for the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team. The Jaguars fell behind by 20 points at halftime and eventually dropped a 77-36 decision at third-ranked Waukee Northwest. It was their worst loss of the season. "We were down by nine with 4 minutes left in the second quarter, but then they outscored us by 11 the rest of … [Read more...] about ‘They beat us in every phase of the game’: No. 3 Wolves roll past Centennial boys
‘We’ve got to make better adjustments’: Jags’ lead slips away in loss at Northwest
For the third time in the last four games, the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team let a halftime lead slip away. The fourth-ranked Jaguars were able to recover in those previous games to defeat Cedar Rapids Prairie and Ankeny, but they weren't as fortunate on Friday at No. 3 Waukee Northwest. The Wolves used a 15-1 run in the third quarter to … [Read more...] about ‘We’ve got to make better adjustments’: Jags’ lead slips away in loss at Northwest
Northern Iowa’s Anderson named Big 12 Conference Wrestler of the Week
Northern Iowa's Trever Anderson has been named the Big 12 Conference's Wrestler of the Week, as announced by the league office on Wednesday. The selection is the first weekly conference honor of his career. Anderson's selection comes after the Panther redshirt sophomore helped set the tone for UNI with a key upset victory in its 24-9 dual win over … [Read more...] about Northern Iowa’s Anderson named Big 12 Conference Wrestler of the Week
No. 1 S.E. Polk completes dominant win over Ankeny matmen before empty gym
Emotions were running high on Thursday night as two of the state's top wrestling teams in Class 3A collided in a CIML Conference dual at the Ankeny High School gym. The final six matches of top-ranked Southeast Polk's dominant win over No. 4 Ankeny were contested before an empty gym after the referee ejected the entire crowd due to some unruly fans and … [Read more...] about No. 1 S.E. Polk completes dominant win over Ankeny matmen before empty gym
‘That should do a lot for his confidence’: Keller’s pin seals Jaguars’ win at Dowling
After losing four of the first five matches, the Ankeny Centennial wrestlers won seven of the next eight bouts and posted a 45-33 victory at Dowling Catholic on Thursday. The sixth-ranked Jaguars raised their records to 4-1 in the CIML Conference and 9-3 overall, but coach Jay Groth still had some concerns after the meet. "We need to continue to not … [Read more...] about ‘That should do a lot for his confidence’: Keller’s pin seals Jaguars’ win at Dowling
Centennial lineman Juravich commits to play football at William Jewell College
Ankeny Centennial offensive lineman Lucas Juravich has committed to play football at William Jewell College. Juravich announced his decision on social media earlier this week. "I want to thank my mom, dad and all my siblings for pushing me farther than I thought I could go," Juravich tweeted on X. Juravich was part of one of the state's best … [Read more...] about Centennial lineman Juravich commits to play football at William Jewell College
No. 8 Ankeny swimmers rebound from loss to Dowling with victory over S.E. Polk
The eighth-ranked Ankeny boys' swimming team bounced back from Tuesday's loss to Dowling Catholic with a 121-49 victory over No. 14 Southeast Polk on Thursday at Trail Point Aquatics Center. The Hawks won nine of the 11 events while raising their records to 2-3 in the CIML Conference and 3-3 overall. They swept the top two places in two of the three … [Read more...] about No. 8 Ankeny swimmers rebound from loss to Dowling with victory over S.E. Polk
Ankeny Fanatic Rodcast: Episode 18
In the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic Rodcast, Rod Brannan of Shelter Insurance and Ankeny Fanatic publisher Dan Holm are joined once again by sports fan extraordinaire Tony Rhoads to break down the hottest topics in the world of sports. … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Rodcast: Episode 18
Ex-Ankeny quarterback Kohl announces commitment to Appalachian State
Former Ankeny and Iowa State quarterback JJ Kohl is headed to Appalachian State. The 6-foot-7, 250-pound redshirt freshman announced his decision via social media on Wednesday. "Excited to announce my commitment to App State!" Kohl tweeted on X. Kohl was a two-time all-stater at Ankeny, where he passed for 4,208 yards and 42 touchdowns in his … [Read more...] about Ex-Ankeny quarterback Kohl announces commitment to Appalachian State
‘I couldn’t be happier’: Roland ecstatic despite Ankeny’s losses to top 2 teams
(Story by Stephen McDaniel) It’s not every day that the third-ranked team in Class 2A girls' wrestling can view itself as an underdog going into a triangular. But Tuesday night was the exception for the Ankeny girls' wrestling squad at Northview Middle School. Under one roof, Ankeny hosted and was defeated in two close duals by the only two teams … [Read more...] about ‘I couldn’t be happier’: Roland ecstatic despite Ankeny’s losses to top 2 teams
Hawks use big run to rally past Centennial boys, take 13-12 lead in all-time series
The Ankeny boys' basketball players didn't panic when their crosstown rival surged to a five-point lead in the first half of Tuesday's game at Ankeny Centennial. The Hawks had been in this position before. Ankeny rallied from a five-point halftime deficit to beat the Jaguars a month ago, and the Hawks used a similar rally on Tuesday to pull away for a … [Read more...] about Hawks use big run to rally past Centennial boys, take 13-12 lead in all-time series
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 289
In the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by Revive Dermatology Clinic and Spa, publisher Dan Holm interviews Ankeny boys' basketball coach Brandt Carlson and junior guard Rio Aguirre about the Hawks' 69-51 victory at Ankeny Centennial and the team's 4-4 start to the season with an inexperienced roster. … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 289
‘It felt so relieving’: Smith’s late 3-pointers seal Jaguars’ victory over Ankeny girls
The shots weren't falling on Tuesday night for Tillie Smith. But her teammates on the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball squad told her to keep shooting, and the advice paid off. The senior guard made just 2-of-9 shots from the field and went 2-of-8 from behind the arc, but she connected on a pair of 3-point goals in the final 3 minutes as the … [Read more...] about ‘It felt so relieving’: Smith’s late 3-pointers seal Jaguars’ victory over Ankeny girls
‘This was not our night’: Ankeny swimmers drop 92-78 decision to Dowling Catholic
The Ankeny boys' swimming team won't have any time to dwell on Tuesday's loss to visiting Dowling Catholic. The 11th-ranked Maroons won eight of the 11 events, including all three relays, and posted a 92-78 victory over No. 6 Ankeny at Trail Point Aquatics Center. The loss dropped the Hawks' records to 1-3 in the CIML Conference and 2-3 overall. "This … [Read more...] about ‘This was not our night’: Ankeny swimmers drop 92-78 decision to Dowling Catholic
‘This win stacks up the same as all others’: UNI’s Anderson defeats top-5 opponent
Trever Anderson has had a lot of big wins in his wrestling career. His latest victory was among the biggest yet. Ranked 31st in the country, the former Ankeny star and two-time state champion posted a 5-2 decision over Nebraska's fifth-ranked and returning all-American Caleb Smith at 125 pounds to help Northern Iowa to a 24-9 triumph on Sunday … [Read more...] about ‘This win stacks up the same as all others’: UNI’s Anderson defeats top-5 opponent
CIML Conference basketball standings
This will be a big week for the fourth-ranked Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team. The Jaguars are sitting in fourth place in the CIML Conference with a 3-3 record. They trail the top three teams in Class 5A--Johnston, Dowling Catholic and Waukee Northwest--and are followed closely by four other squads in the middle of the pack. Centennial will … [Read more...] about CIML Conference basketball standings
Hawks knock off Linn-Mar at CIML/MVC Crossover event, will face Centennial next
For the second year in a row, the Ankeny boys' basketball team played in the CIML/MVC Crossover event and came away with an impressive victory. The Hawks broke away from a tie in the fourth quarter to defeat Linn-Mar (Marion), 61-55, on Saturday at the Alliant Energy Powerhouse in Cedar Rapids. "It's a good venue and a fun environment," said Ankeny … [Read more...] about Hawks knock off Linn-Mar at CIML/MVC Crossover event, will face Centennial next