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The wait is over: Fontana’s Jaguars earn their first trip to Wells Fargo Arena

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When Bob Fontana returned to his hometown of Ankeny in 2013 to build the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball program from scratch, one of his primary goals was to get the Jaguars to the state tournament in the next few years. It took a little longer than he would have liked, but the wait was worth it. On Tuesday, Fontana guided the top-ranked Jaguars to … [Read more...] about The wait is over: Fontana’s Jaguars earn their first trip to Wells Fargo Arena

‘It’s just the best feeling ever’: Hawks outlast Sioux City East for trip to state

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Braxton Bayless draped the state qualifier banner around his body and beamed with joy as he pranced around the Fort Dodge gym. The senior guard had just fulfilled a lifelong dream--leading his Ankeny boys' basketball team to the Class 4A state tournament. "It's the best feeling I've had my whole career," said Bayless. "It's just the best feeling … [Read more...] about ‘It’s just the best feeling ever’: Hawks outlast Sioux City East for trip to state

Blimpie Sub of the Week: Elle Street, Ankeny Centennial girls’ basketball

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Sophomore guard Elle Street is a member of the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team. She helped the Jaguars to a 13-10 record this season. Street averaged 2.2 points and 1.3 rebounds per game. She also contributed 20 assists, 12 steals and nine blocks. "Elle is one of our best athletes and used those abilities to defend the best players in the … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Elle Street, Ankeny Centennial girls’ basketball

TWICE AS NICE: Jaguars, Hawks both advance to Class 4A state tournament

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The Ankeny boys' basketball team is headed to the state tournament for the first time since 2012. Crosstown rival Ankeny Centennial will be making the trip to Wells Fargo Arena for the first time ever. Both squads qualified for the Class 4A tournament with victories on Tuesday. Top-ranked Centennial posted a 58-42 win over Johnston in a substate final … [Read more...] about TWICE AS NICE: Jaguars, Hawks both advance to Class 4A state tournament

Ex-Ankeny wrestler Anderson forced to end career due to multiple concussions

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Spencer Anderson has been wrestling and playing soccer for most of his life. When Anderson graduated from Ankeny High School in 2018, he elected to attend Simpson College in Indianola, where he would focus on just one sport--wrestling. Now, Anderson has been forced to give up that sport as well. After suffering multiple concussions over the last … [Read more...] about Ex-Ankeny wrestler Anderson forced to end career due to multiple concussions

Centennial, Ankeny boys to play for state tournament berths on Tuesday

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A trip to the Class 4A state tournament is only 32 minutes away for the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball teams. The top-ranked Jaguars (22-1) will meet CIML Central Conference rival Johnston (15-7) in a substate final on Tuesday at Southeast Polk, while the Hawks (17-5) will face Sioux City East (17-4) at Fort Dodge. Both games begin at 7 … [Read more...] about Centennial, Ankeny boys to play for state tournament berths on Tuesday

Campbell’s Cowan named Big South Starting Pitcher of the Week for 2nd time

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The transition to the Division I level has been a smooth one for former Ankeny Centennial pitcher Cam Cowan. For the second time this season, Cowan has been named the Big South Starting Pitcher of the Week, as announced by the league office on Monday. Making his third start of 2020, Cowan tossed seven shutout innings in Campbell's 5-0 combined shutout … [Read more...] about Campbell’s Cowan named Big South Starting Pitcher of the Week for 2nd time

‘I’ve got more soccer in me’: Ankeny goalkeeper Frederick to play for Simpson

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Ankeny's Brenny Frederick wasn't sure if she wanted to continue playing soccer. Once she decided that she did, it wasn't difficult for the senior goalkeeper to make her future plans. Frederick has committed to play for Simpson College next year. "Playing soccer was the tough decision. Playing for Simpson was an easy decision," said Frederick. … [Read more...] about ‘I’ve got more soccer in me’: Ankeny goalkeeper Frederick to play for Simpson

Ex-Ankeny star Manning to be inducted into IGHSAU Basketball Hall of Fame

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Former Ankeny star Maddie Manning will be inducted into the Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union Basketball Hall of Fame during the state tournament on Saturday at Wells Fargo Arena. Manning will be enshrined along with former Bedford standout Connie Shafar and former Marion star Morgan Paige. The trio will be inducted at halftime of the Class 2A … [Read more...] about Ex-Ankeny star Manning to be inducted into IGHSAU Basketball Hall of Fame

Burns named to all-conference 1st team; Runchey, Pitz earn 2nd-team honors

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Ankeny Centennial standout Meg Burns has been unanimously selected to the CIML Central Conference first team by a vote of the league's girls' basketball coaches. She led the Jaguars to a 13-10 record this season. Burns, a senior guard, averaged a team-high 12.2 points per game and shot 48.4 percent from 3-point range, making 61-of-126 attempts. The … [Read more...] about Burns named to all-conference 1st team; Runchey, Pitz earn 2nd-team honors

Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Nic Worsham, ACA boys’ basketball

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Senior center Nic Worsham led the Ankeny Christian Academy boys' basketball team to a 21-4 record this season. The Eagles advanced to a Class 1A substate final before falling to third-ranked West Fork, 61-54, on Saturday at Nevada. Worsham averaged a team-high 13.1 points and 7.8 rebounds per game. He also led the Eagles with 36 blocks and tied for the … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Nic Worsham, ACA boys’ basketball

Eagles’ season ends with 61-54 loss to No. 3 West Fork in substate final

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A furious rally by the Ankeny Christian Academy boys' basketball team came up short in a Class 1A substate final on Saturday at Nevada. The Eagles trailed third-ranked West Fork by 22 points in the second half before closing the gap to 52-49 with 4 minutes 22 seconds left. However, West Fork outscored ACA the rest of the way, 9-5, to hold on for a 61-54 … [Read more...] about Eagles’ season ends with 61-54 loss to No. 3 West Fork in substate final

‘I still desire to be a head football coach’: Rhoads lands bigger challenge at U of A

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Paul Rhoads still yearns to be a head football coach again. A move to the Arizona desert may help him get there. The Ankeny native and former Iowa State head coach is getting ready for spring ball at the University of Arizona, where he was named the defensive coordinator in late December. He spent the last two seasons on the staff of UCLA coach Chip … [Read more...] about ‘I still desire to be a head football coach’: Rhoads lands bigger challenge at U of A

‘They threw a lot of junk at us’: Hawks solve Fort Dodge’s defense in 66-46 win

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The Fort Dodge boys' basketball team tried several different defenses on Friday in an effort to slow down Ankeny star Braxton Bayless. None of them were very successful. Bayless poured in 26 points, 19 of them in the first half, to lead the Hawks to a 66-46 victory in a Class 4A substate semifinal at Ankeny. "They threw a lot of junk at us, but we … [Read more...] about ‘They threw a lot of junk at us’: Hawks solve Fort Dodge’s defense in 66-46 win

Kelling, No. 1 Centennial boys roll past Roughriders in postseason opener

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Ankeny Centennial's Preston Kelling drove to the basket on Friday with a Des Moines Roosevelt defender right at his side. Kelling then rose up and threw down a monster dunk late in the first half of a Class 4A boys' basketball substate semifinal at Centennial. "I was feeling it at the time," Kelling said. "I was feeling good. It was just in the … [Read more...] about Kelling, No. 1 Centennial boys roll past Roughriders in postseason opener

Jaguars, Hawks open substate play at home against familiar opponents

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The road to the state tournament begins on Friday night for both the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball teams. The top-ranked Jaguars (21-1) will host Des Moines Roosevelt (7-14) in a Class 4A Substate 6 semifinal, while the Hawks (16-5) will host Fort Dodge (3-19) in a Substate 1 semifinal. Both games begin at 7 p.m. Centennial enters the … [Read more...] about Jaguars, Hawks open substate play at home against familiar opponents

Ankeny Christian holds off Madrid, will play No. 3 West Fork for trip to state

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During the first quarter of Thursday's game against Madrid, the Ankeny Christian Academy boys' basketball team struggled to solve the Tigers' zone defense. The Eagles fell into an early 14-5 hole and appeared to be in danger of being blown out in a Class 1A district final at Ankeny. The deficit grew to double digits when Madrid's CJ Dean opened the … [Read more...] about Ankeny Christian holds off Madrid, will play No. 3 West Fork for trip to state