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‘It’s a really great feeling’: Jaguars edge Ankeny to clinch conference title

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Ankeny Centennial's Cody McCullough wasn't happy when he missed a free throw with 9 seconds left in Friday's game at Ankeny. The miss allowed the Hawks to have an opportunity to win the game on the final possession. Braxton Bayless fired a pass to Jaxon Smith in the left corner, but Smith's 3-point try bounced off the rim in the final seconds. … [Read more...] about ‘It’s a really great feeling’: Jaguars edge Ankeny to clinch conference title

Jaguars close out regular season with victories over Indianola, Valley

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Thursday's triangular meet at Valley provided an opportunity for the Ankeny Centennial wrestlers to see a couple of their potential upcoming opponents. The Jaguars took advantage of the meet to earn a pair of victories. Centennial, the No. 6 team in the Class 3A dual rankings by The Predicament, opened the night with a 34-31 victory over No. 12 … [Read more...] about Jaguars close out regular season with victories over Indianola, Valley

Jag-Hawk II: Boys to play for league crown; Girls’ game more about pride

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A lot will be at stake on Friday when the two Ankeny boys' basketball teams meet for the second time in less than three weeks. Second-ranked Ankeny Centennial heads across town for a rematch against the Hawks, who will be looking to avenge a 69-61 loss at Centennial on Jan. 20. The Jaguars (7-1, 16-1) can clinch the outright CIML Central Conference title … [Read more...] about Jag-Hawk II: Boys to play for league crown; Girls’ game more about pride

Ankeny wrestlers fall into 16-0 hole, then win final 11 matches against Bobcats

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The Ankeny wrestlers tuned up for the postseason with a 65-16 victory at Marshalltown in a non-conference meet on Thursday. The Hawks, who are 13th in the Class 3A dual rankings by The Predicament, improved to 14-5 on the season. Marshalltown dropped to 8-14. "We had some kids get a win tonight that really needed it," said Ankeny coach Jack Wignall. "I … [Read more...] about Ankeny wrestlers fall into 16-0 hole, then win final 11 matches against Bobcats

Coaches vs. Cancer event raises more than $3,000 for American Cancer Society

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More than $3,000 was raised for the American Cancer Society in the Coaches vs. Cancer event on Tuesday at Ankeny Centennial. Ankeny Fanatic, HyVee and Wee's Tees were sponsors of the event. Jason Loutsch, owner of Ankeny Fanatic, donated the funds for the commemorative boys' basketball uniforms, which were auctioned off to raise money for the … [Read more...] about Coaches vs. Cancer event raises more than $3,000 for American Cancer Society

Centennial’s Burnett to play softball at Central College

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Ankeny Centennial shortstop Franie Burnett has committed to play softball for Central College. Burnett, a senior, picked the Dutch over Millikin University in Decatur, Ill. "It was a hard decision," she said. "I was picking between two very good schools and programs." In the end, though, Burnett elected to stay closer to home. She revealed her … [Read more...] about Centennial’s Burnett to play softball at Central College

IHSAA introduces success model for Class 4A football in 2020

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The Iowa High School Athletic Association has announced some changes for the upcoming football season, including a success model that will result in Class 4A being trimmed from 42 schools down to 40. The state is hoping to provide better competitive balance among Iowa's largest schools. Des Moines Hoover, Mason City and Burlington have dropped to Class 3A … [Read more...] about IHSAA introduces success model for Class 4A football in 2020

Centennial boys earn 10th straight win, hand Scarlets their 31st loss in a row

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It would have been easy for the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team to overlook its opponent on Tuesday. Des Moines East entered the non-conference game at Centennial with a 1-57 record over the last three years. The Scarlets' last two losses, which came by margins of 16 and 14 points, were their closest games of this season. "You just hope in … [Read more...] about Centennial boys earn 10th straight win, hand Scarlets their 31st loss in a row

Jaguars roll past D.M. East, snap losing skid behind Murray’s career night

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Breaking out of a recent slump, Cleao Murray scored a career-high 20 points to lead the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team to a 66-23 victory over visiting Des Moines East on Tuesday. Murray--who had averaged just seven points per game over the previous six contests--went 8-for-15 from the field, including 3-of-5 from 3-point range. She also had … [Read more...] about Jaguars roll past D.M. East, snap losing skid behind Murray’s career night

Reserves shine as Hawkettes romp past Marshalltown to extend winning streak

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Ankeny girls' basketball coach Dru McAnelly wasn't happy with his team's effort in the first quarter of Tuesday's game against visiting Marshalltown. The Hawkettes held a 12-9 lead after the opening period against a struggling squad that had scored just 14 and 18 points in its previous two losses to fifth-ranked Waukee and No. 11 Valley. "I got after … [Read more...] about Reserves shine as Hawkettes romp past Marshalltown to extend winning streak

Ankeny boys erupt for 96 points in lopsided victory over Marshalltown

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The Ankeny boys' basketball team needed a breather on Tuesday. The Hawks got one. After winning two of its previous three games in the final seconds, ninth-ranked Ankeny raced out to a 45-22 halftime lead and rolled to a 96-50 victory over visiting Marshalltown in a non-conference contest. It was the Hawks' highest offensive output of the … [Read more...] about Ankeny boys erupt for 96 points in lopsided victory over Marshalltown

Hawk bowlers roll 251 in last baker game to edge East, even record at 5-5

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The Ankeny boys' bowling team pulled out another narrow victory on Tuesday to even its overall record at 5-5. The Hawks posted a score of 251 in their final baker game to defeat visiting Des Moines East in a non-conference dual meet at Great Escape. They won by a score of 2,968 to 2,918. Ankeny was coming off a 44-pin win over Dowling Catholic on … [Read more...] about Hawk bowlers roll 251 in last baker game to edge East, even record at 5-5

Blimpie Sub of the Week: Matt Stueckradt, Ankeny boys’ basketball

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Junior guard Matt Stueckradt has helped the ninth-ranked Ankeny boys' basketball team to a 13-3 record. The Hawks rolled to a 96-50 victory over visiting Marshalltown on Tuesday. Stueckradt is averaging 2.1 points per game. He is shooting 29.4 percent from 3-point range (5-of-17). "Matt has played well off the bench," said Ankeny coach Brandt … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Matt Stueckradt, Ankeny boys’ basketball

Former Ankeny catcher played for legendary coach who died in Kobe crash

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The helicopter crash that killed NBA legend Kobe Bryant as well as eight other people sent shock waves across the country on Jan. 26. The tragedy struck closer to home for J.T. Sampson than most Americans. Sampson, a former Ankeny catcher, once played for Orange Coast College baseball coach John Altobelli, who was among the victims along with his wife … [Read more...] about Former Ankeny catcher played for legendary coach who died in Kobe crash

Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Preston Kelling, Centennial boys’ hoops

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Senior guard Preston Kelling has helped the fourth-ranked Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team to a 15-1 record. He scored a season-high 23 points on Tuesday in the Jaguars' 78-70 victory at No. 1 Waukee. Kelling is averaging 8.6 points and 4.8 rebounds per game. He is shooting 46.4 percent from the field (52-of-112). Here is some inside info on … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Preston Kelling, Centennial boys’ hoops

Jaguars, Hawks placed in different substate brackets by IHSAA

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The coaches from the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball teams were hoping to be placed in different substate brackets, which would create the possibility of both squads advancing to the state tournament. They got their wish. The Iowa High School Athletic Association announced its Class 4A assignments on Friday. Ankeny has been placed in … [Read more...] about Jaguars, Hawks placed in different substate brackets by IHSAA

Smith’s late 3-pointer stuns Ames, keeps Hawks in race for conference title

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For the second time in three games, the Ankeny boys' basketball team escaped with a victory on a last-second basket. Jaxon Smith drained a 3-pointer from the left corner with 2 seconds left to give the ninth-ranked Hawks a 45-42 win at Ames on Friday. Smith hit the shot after receiving a pass from Braxton Bayless, whose last-second basket gave Ankeny a … [Read more...] about Smith’s late 3-pointer stuns Ames, keeps Hawks in race for conference title

Jaguars avenge their only loss, move closer to Central Conference crown

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The Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team moved a step closer toward the CIML Central Conference title by avenging its only loss of the season. The fourth-ranked Jaguars closed out Friday's game on a 32-10 run to defeat visiting Dowling Catholic, 63-48. It was Centennial's ninth straight win since suffering a 68-55 loss at Dowling on Jan. 3. "We lost … [Read more...] about Jaguars avenge their only loss, move closer to Central Conference crown