Ankeny senior Carson Johnson was determined to end his high school career at the boys' state basketball tournament. His teammates played a huge role in helping him get back to Wells Fargo Arena. Lio Aguirre scored a game-high 22 points, Cash Schoolen had all eight of his points in the first few minutes, and the eighth-ranked Hawks cruised to a 64-41 … [Read more...] about ‘We’ve worked all year for this’: Hawks top crosstown rival, earn trip to 4A tourney
Bob Fontana
‘We just couldn’t get stops’: Jaguars finish at 17-7 after falling to Ankeny boys, 64-41
The Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team picked a bad night to have its worst offensive performance of the season. The 10th-ranked Jaguars shot just 34.6 percent from the field (18-of-52) and dropped a 64-41 decision to No. 8 Ankeny in a Class 4A substate final on Tuesday at Southeast Polk. It was a season-low output for Centennial, which finished … [Read more...] about ‘We just couldn’t get stops’: Jaguars finish at 17-7 after falling to Ankeny boys, 64-41
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 251
In the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by Coldwell Banker Mid-America, publisher Dan Holm previews the boys’ substate basketball final with coaches Brandt Carlson of Ankeny and Bob Fontana of Ankeny Centennial and breaks down Centennial's quarterfinal loss to Waukee in the girls' state tournament with Jaguars assistant coach … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 251
‘We don’t win the game without them’: Klingner, Smith help Jags past Roosevelt
All season long, senior point guard Luke Winkel has been carrying a heavy load for the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team. On Friday at Centennial, two junior reserves--Cabryn Klingner and Will Smith--helped the 10th-ranked Jaguars keep their season alive. Klingner scored all eight of his points in the first half, then Smith had all eight of his … [Read more...] about ‘We don’t win the game without them’: Klingner, Smith help Jags past Roosevelt
Winkel reaches milestone as Jags beat Johnston to close out regular season
The Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team closed out the regular season Thursday on a high note. The 10th-ranked Jaguars jumped out to a 17-8 lead at the end of the first quarter and went on to post a 59-40 victory over visiting Johnston, allowing them to complete a sweep of the season series. "We got off to a great start," said Centennial coach Bob … [Read more...] about Winkel reaches milestone as Jags beat Johnston to close out regular season
‘We played a lot better the 2nd half’: Jags solve zone defense, beat Winterset
It took awhile for the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team to figure out its opponent's zone defense on Monday night. After trailing by one point at halftime, the 10th-ranked Jaguars pulled away in the second half for a 59-47 non-conference win over visiting Winterset, the No. 7 team in Class 3A. It wasn't pretty, but Centennial improved to 15-6 … [Read more...] about ‘We played a lot better the 2nd half’: Jags solve zone defense, beat Winterset
Jaguars fall short against Dowling, will await 4A substate pairings on Monday
After playing one of its best games of the season on Friday, the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team looked like a different squad less than 24 hours later. The eighth-ranked Jaguars dropped a 52-48 decision to visiting Dowling Catholic in a CIML Conference game on Saturday afternoon. The Maroons, who swept the season series, were coming off a 65-60 … [Read more...] about Jaguars fall short against Dowling, will await 4A substate pairings on Monday
‘We defended the jungle’: Centennial boys shut down Wolves for 49-35 victory
(Story by Gabe Ploeger) The Waukee Northwest boys' basketball team had won six straight games and nine of their last 10, and the 10th-ranked Wolves intended to keep that hot streak going. But No. 8 Ankeny Centennial had their own plans. The Jaguars relied on a stingy defense to beat visiting Northwest, 49-35, in a CIML Conference game on … [Read more...] about ‘We defended the jungle’: Centennial boys shut down Wolves for 49-35 victory
Centennial boys defeat Rams again, will host Waukee Northwest, Dowling next
Tuesday's game was far from perfect for the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team. But the eighth-ranked Jaguars were good enough to emerge with a victory. Centennial overcame a 36-27 rebounding disadvantage to beat visiting Southeast Polk, 64-53, for the second time this season. The final score was almost identical to last month's 64-55 outcome at … [Read more...] about Centennial boys defeat Rams again, will host Waukee Northwest, Dowling next
Johnson outduels Winkel in shootout, leads Ankeny boys past No. 8 Centennial
Two of the state's best boys' basketball players put on a dazzling display Friday at the Ankeny gym. Only one of them walked away with a victory. Ankeny's Carson Johnson poured in 38 points to offset a career-high 37 from Ankeny Centennial's Luke Winkel and the Hawks avenged an earlier loss with a 76-63 win. "It's always a great rivalry," said … [Read more...] about Johnson outduels Winkel in shootout, leads Ankeny boys past No. 8 Centennial
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 247
In the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by Coldwell Banker Mid-America, publisher Dan Holm previews Friday's Jag-Hawk hoops doubleheader with girls' coaches Nate Tobey of Ankeny and Scott DeJong of Ankeny Centennial along with boys' coaches Brandt Carlson of Ankeny and Bob Fontana of Ankeny Centennial. Coldwell Banker realtor Tom … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 247
Jaguars roll to victory over North after dropping to No. 8 in latest 4A rankings
The Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team dropped to No. 8 in the latest Class 4A rankings from the Iowa High School Athletic Association, making Monday's non-conference game against visiting Des Moines North all the more important. The Jaguars are fighting for a No. 1 seed in a substate tournament, which will go to the top eight teams in the final … [Read more...] about Jaguars roll to victory over North after dropping to No. 8 in latest 4A rankings
Vaske, Oakie lead 4 players in double figures as Jaguars roll past C.R. Prairie
A fast start ignited the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team to a 78-44 victory over visiting Cedar Rapids Prairie in a non-conference game on Saturday. The fifth-ranked Jaguars jumped out to a 30-11 lead at the end of the first quarter. They eventually built a 67-33 advantage after three periods. "We got off to a great start," said Centennial … [Read more...] about Vaske, Oakie lead 4 players in double figures as Jaguars roll past C.R. Prairie
No. 3 Warriors rally past Centennial boys, close in on CIML Conference crown
The third-ranked Waukee boys' basketball team showed on Tuesday why the Warriors will probably win the CIML Conference title. The host Warriors overcame a 14-point deficit in the second quarter to beat No. 5 Ankeny Centennial, 70-56, for the second time this season. They improved to 11-1 in the league and 11-4 overall, while the Jaguars' records dropped … [Read more...] about No. 3 Warriors rally past Centennial boys, close in on CIML Conference crown
Centennial boys rout Waterloo West for most lopsided victory in school history
The outcome of Saturday's non-conference boys' basketball game at Ankeny Centennial was decided shortly after the contest began. The sixth-ranked Jaguars jumped out to a 30-8 lead in the first quarter, built a 53-10 halftime advantage and rolled to an 87-25 victory over visiting Waterloo West. It was the most lopsided win in school history, eclipsing … [Read more...] about Centennial boys rout Waterloo West for most lopsided victory in school history
Winkel scores career-high 34, outduels Uecker in Jaguars’ win over Urbandale
Two of the top boys' basketball scorers in the CIML Conference collided on Thursday at Ankeny Centennial. The matchup proved to be highly entertaining. Luke Winkel scored a career-high 34 points to lead the sixth-ranked Jaguars to a 73-64 win over visiting Urbandale, which got 31 points from Grant Uecker in a losing effort. "Give some credit to … [Read more...] about Winkel scores career-high 34, outduels Uecker in Jaguars’ win over Urbandale
Jirak, Robinson ignite late rally, lead No. 2 Valley boys to 60-59 win over Centennial
Even without Curtis Stinson Jr., the Valley boys' basketball team is still one of the state's most talented squads. The second-ranked Tigers got 19 points from Trevin Jirak and 16 more from Zay Robinson to beat No. 6 Ankeny Centennial, 60-59, in a CIML Conference game on Tuesday at Valley. Stinson, who averages nearly 20 points per game, has not played … [Read more...] about Jirak, Robinson ignite late rally, lead No. 2 Valley boys to 60-59 win over Centennial
Centennial boys use late run to beat S.E. Polk, move into 2nd place in conference
For the second time in four days, the Ankeny Centennial boys' team didn't play its best basketball but still managed to pull out a road victory. The eighth-ranked Jaguars closed out the game with a 15-3 run to post a 64-55 win at Southeast Polk on Friday. "Just like Tuesday night (at Waukee Northwest), we were like a rollercoaster at times," said … [Read more...] about Centennial boys use late run to beat S.E. Polk, move into 2nd place in conference
‘We were good at the right time’: Jaguars use late run to beat NW for first time ever
It wasn't pretty, but the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team finally earned its first victory against Waukee Northwest on Tuesday. There were seven ties and six lead changes before the eighth-ranked Jaguars pulled away down the stretch for a 57-53 win at Northwest. They broke away from a 49-49 tie with an 8-4 run over the final 2 minutes 57 … [Read more...] about ‘We were good at the right time’: Jaguars use late run to beat NW for first time ever
Centennial boys make 13 3-point goals, cruise to 75-38 win at Des Moines Hoover
The Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team connected on 13-of-23 attempts from 3-point range and rolled to a 75-38 victory at Des Moines Hoover in a non-conference game on Thursday. Nick Vaske made four treys and finished with a season-high 17 points as the Jaguars raised their overall record to 6-2. Hoover dropped to 1-5. "We all shot it really … [Read more...] about Centennial boys make 13 3-point goals, cruise to 75-38 win at Des Moines Hoover