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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

‘It was just a matter of time’: Hawkettes stifle Ames for first conference victory

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Ashley Harrington knew that the Ankeny girls' basketball team was going to win its first conference game. She just didn't know when. Friday turned out to be the night as Harrington scored 16 points to lead the Hawkettes to a 60-49 victory at Ames. They improved to 1-7 in the CIML Central Conference and 7-10 overall, while Ames' records fell to 3-5 and … [Read more...] about ‘It was just a matter of time’: Hawkettes stifle Ames for first conference victory

Clark’s defense proves to be difference in Dowling’s win over Centennial girls

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The Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team held Dowling Catholic star Caitlin Clark to just two 3-point goals during Friday's game at Centennial. The Iowa recruit found other ways to score, though, and finished with 32 points in leading the second-ranked Maroons to a 56-49 victory. Clark wreaked havoc on defense, turning several steals into layups at … [Read more...] about Clark’s defense proves to be difference in Dowling’s win over Centennial girls

Ankeny trio, Centennial’s Neils capture individual titles at CIML Invitational

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If Friday's CIML Invitational at Southeast Polk was any indication of what's going to happen later this month at the Class 3A state wrestling tournament, then both Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial could make a lot of noise at Wells Fargo Arena. The eighth-ranked Jaguars placed second in Friday's 16-team tournament, while the No. 7 Hawks took fourth. It was … [Read more...] about Ankeny trio, Centennial’s Neils capture individual titles at CIML Invitational

Hawk bowlers come from behind to beat Dowling; Hawkettes also prevail

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Don't ever count out the Ankeny boys' bowling team. Head coach Lane Richtsmeier certainly won't following Wednesday's dual meet at Val Lanes. The Hawks rallied from a sizable deficit to beat Dowling Catholic by a score of 2,996 to 2,952. It was a season-high total for the Ankeny boys' squad. "I'm going to start calling them 'The Comeback Kids,'" … [Read more...] about Hawk bowlers come from behind to beat Dowling; Hawkettes also prevail

Centennial shortstop Gray to play baseball at Wartburg College

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Ankeny Centennial shortstop Keaton Gray has committed to play baseball for Wartburg College. The senior announced his decision via Twitter earlier this week. "I’m very excited to announce that I have committed to continue my academic and baseball career at Wartburg College," Gray tweeted. "I’m very thankful for the opportunities that I have been given … [Read more...] about Centennial shortstop Gray to play baseball at Wartburg College

Jaguars take down No. 1 Waukee, give Fontana his 400th career victory

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Bob Fontana's 400th career coaching victory is one that he'll never forget. The sixth-ranked Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team led almost the entire way and posted a 78-70 victory at No. 1 Waukee on Tuesday, allowing Fontana to reach the milestone. Afterwards, Fontana told his team outside the locker room that he'd rather have a state tournament … [Read more...] about Jaguars take down No. 1 Waukee, give Fontana his 400th career victory

No. 5 Waukee girls start fast, finish strong in win over Centennial

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A slow start doomed the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team on Tuesday. The 10th-ranked Jaguars fell behind after the first quarter, 25-7, and eventually dropped a 55-33 decision in a non-conference game at No. 5 Waukee. It was their lowest offensive output of the season and their lowest total overall since a 46-27 loss at Johnston last year. "It … [Read more...] about No. 5 Waukee girls start fast, finish strong in win over Centennial

‘We were playing uphill all night’: Ankeny boys tumble to Roughriders

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Something about the Ankeny boys' basketball team brings out the best in Des Moines Roosevelt. The Roughriders--who upset Ankeny in last year's Class 4A substate tournament--knocked off the ninth-ranked Hawks again on Tuesday in a non-conference game at Roosevelt. They posted a 65-60 victory to improve to 4-8 on the season. Ankeny's record dropped to … [Read more...] about ‘We were playing uphill all night’: Ankeny boys tumble to Roughriders

Ankeny girls snap five-game losing streak with victory at Roosevelt

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The reward finally came for the Ankeny girls' basketball team. After suffering back-to-back losses to a pair of ranked opponents by a combined five points, the Hawkettes earned a close win of their own on Tuesday with a 48-45 victory at Des Moines Roosevelt in a non-conference game. They improved their record to 6-10 while snapping a five-game losing … [Read more...] about Ankeny girls snap five-game losing streak with victory at Roosevelt

Blimpie Sub of the Week: Cade Macke, Ankeny Centennial boys’ basketball

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Senior guard Cade Macke has helped the sixth-ranked Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team to a 14-1 record. He is averaging 1.8 points per game. Macke is shooting 33.3 percent from 3-point range (5-of-15). He has scored a season-high five points on three different occasions. "The thing that stands out about Cade is that he is always there for his … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Cade Macke, Ankeny Centennial boys’ basketball

TOUGH AS NEILS: Unbeaten Centennial senior wins crown at Ed Winger Invite

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One of the reasons Ankeny Centennial wrestling coach Jay Groth wanted his team to compete in the Ed Winger Invitational was to prepare the Jaguars for the stretch run of the season. It remains to be seen how things will turn out. On Saturday, Centennial placed sixth in the 19-team field at the Urbandale tournament. The eighth-ranked Jaguars racked up … [Read more...] about TOUGH AS NEILS: Unbeaten Centennial senior wins crown at Ed Winger Invite

Busy week for Hawk wrestlers ends with win over Dowling, Dave Ewing Duals title

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The Ankeny wrestlers got some much-needed time on the mat last week. After placing third in their own Bob Sharp Invitational on Jan. 20, the Hawks celebrated their Senior Night on Thursday with a 42-33 victory over visiting Dowling Catholic. They then defeated five more opponents on Saturday to win the Dave Ewing Duals at Ankeny. "Some of our kids … [Read more...] about Busy week for Hawk wrestlers ends with win over Dowling, Dave Ewing Duals title

Ames girls top Jaguars after forcing OT on miraculous basket at buzzer

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Sometimes, the ball doesn't bounce your way. Or, the questionable call that could have gone either way doesn't go in your favor. The 10th-ranked Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team experienced both of those things Friday on the same play--a miraculous basket by Ames' Teagan Lipsey that forced overtime and eventually helped the No. 12 Little … [Read more...] about Ames girls top Jaguars after forcing OT on miraculous basket at buzzer

‘I think he’s ready for those moments’: Bayless sinks game-winner for Hawks

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Braxton Bayless has been playing like an all-stater this season for the Ankeny boys' basketball team. The senior guard delivered once again on Friday. Bayless scored a career-high 31 points, including the game-winning basket with 2 seconds left, as the ninth-ranked Hawks posted a 65-63 victory over visiting Urbandale. He is now averaging 23.7 points … [Read more...] about ‘I think he’s ready for those moments’: Bayless sinks game-winner for Hawks

McAleer’s career night helps Centennial boys pull away from Little Cyclones

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A 29-3 run that spanned both halves allowed the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team to post a 50-29 victory over visiting Ames on Friday. The sixth-ranked Jaguars trailed, 16-11, before scoring the last 10 points of the first half. They then outscored Ames in the third quarter, 16-3, to build a 37-19 advantage. "It was a slow-paced game the first … [Read more...] about McAleer’s career night helps Centennial boys pull away from Little Cyclones