Ankeny Fanatic

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Bob Fontana

Jaguars roll to season-opening win with ‘total team effort’

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After losing its last two season openers, the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team was determined to get off on the right foot. Thanks to a crucial 6-minute stretch, the Jaguars accomplished their goal. Centennial overcame an early deficit and then pulled away to defeat visiting Southeast Polk, 62-45, in its season opener on Tuesday. The Jaguars led … [Read more...] about Jaguars roll to season-opening win with ‘total team effort’

Centennial boys boast tall front line, inexperienced backcourt

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The Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team appears to be loaded with frontline players. The Jaguars could be a little thin in the backcourt, though, following the graduation of all-state guard Hunter Strait, who is now playing a key role as a freshman at Truman State. "Our returning players that played the most are all frontline players, so I would … [Read more...] about Centennial boys boast tall front line, inexperienced backcourt

After coach departs, Kasperbauer leaves Truman State for Kirkwood

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When Hunter Strait signed a letter of intent to play for Truman State, the Ankeny Centennial point guard thought he was going to be reunited on the basketball court with former teammate Connor Kasperbauer. Now, the reunion appears to be off. Kasperbauer has decided to transfer to Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids. His departure came after … [Read more...] about After coach departs, Kasperbauer leaves Truman State for Kirkwood

Strait earns third-team all-state honors from IPSWA

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If the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team needed a basket, coach Bob Fontana usually put the ball in Hunter Strait's hands. If Fontana wanted to get one of the other Jaguars going offensively, he would rely on his senior point guard to deliver an assist. Strait's ability to score and to distribute the ball has been recognized by the Iowa Print … [Read more...] about Strait earns third-team all-state honors from IPSWA

Another heartbreaking loss to Valley ends Jaguars’ postseason run

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It shouldn't surprise anyone that Friday's Class 4A substate semifinal between the Ankeny Centennial and Valley boys' basketball teams came down to the last possession. Whenever these two CIML Central Conference rivals collide, the game often is decided in the final seconds. On Friday, second-seeded Valley escaped with a 48-46 victory in overtime when … [Read more...] about Another heartbreaking loss to Valley ends Jaguars’ postseason run

Jaguars survive dogfight against Lincoln, advance to substate semifinal

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Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball coach Bob Fontana was hoping that his players learned a valuable lesson on Friday night. Monday's game against the same opponent showed that the Jaguars possibly didn't get the message. Three days after Centennial let up in the second half of a 66-52 victory over Des Moines Lincoln in its regular-season finale, the … [Read more...] about Jaguars survive dogfight against Lincoln, advance to substate semifinal

Hawks, Jaguars to begin postseason play with rematches

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The boys' basketball postseason gets under way for the Class 4A teams on Monday night. Both Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial will face a rematch in the quarterfinal round. The third-seeded Jaguars (13-8) host sixth-seeded Des Moines Lincoln (5-17) at 7 p.m. The Railsplitters have lost 10 of their last 11 games, including a 66-52 decision at Centennial in the … [Read more...] about Hawks, Jaguars to begin postseason play with rematches

Jaguars roll past Lincoln in preview of substate opener

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The Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team didn't want to end the regular season with a four-game losing streak. Mission accomplished. The Jaguars jumped out to a 33-8 halftime lead and cruised to a 66-52 victory over visiting Des Moines Lincoln in a CIML non-conference game on Friday. The win snapped a three-game skid for Centennial, which improved … [Read more...] about Jaguars roll past Lincoln in preview of substate opener

Hot-shooting Johnston hands Jaguars their 3rd straight loss

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  The Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team appears to have solved some of its recent offensive woes. Now, the Jaguars may have to focus on the defensive end of the court. Johnston made 11 3-point goals in the first three quarters and went on to post a 68-57 victory in a CIML non-conference game on Tuesday, handing the visiting Jaguars … [Read more...] about Hot-shooting Johnston hands Jaguars their 3rd straight loss

Cold-shooting Jaguars tumble to Waukee in battle for league crown

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With less than 2 minutes left in Friday's game, Waukee forward Nathan Johnson leaped high in the air for an alley-oop near the basket. Johnson was unable to corral the pass, which was tipped by an Ankeny Centennial defender. But the ball went in the hoop anyway. It was that kind of night for the Jaguars. Waukee used an 11-0 run in the third quarter … [Read more...] about Cold-shooting Jaguars tumble to Waukee in battle for league crown

Loss at Fort Dodge could cost Jaguars No. 2 seed in substate tourney

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Tuesday's loss at Fort Dodge could have some costly ramifications for the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team. The Jaguars suffered a 50-37 loss that ended their two-game winning streak and dropped their record to 12-6 on the season. The outcome could have an effect on the seedings for the Class 4A Substate 7 tournament, which will be determined on … [Read more...] about Loss at Fort Dodge could cost Jaguars No. 2 seed in substate tourney

STRAIT SHOOTER: Senior guard surpasses 1,000-point mark, leads Jaguars past Ames

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Ankeny Centennial's Hunter Strait entered Friday's game at Ames in search of a milestone. He left the gym with a much-needed victory as well. Strait scored 22 points to surpass the 1,000-point career mark and the Centennial boys' basketball team rallied in the second half to post a 59-51 victory over the Little Cyclones. "Hitting 1,000 points has … [Read more...] about STRAIT SHOOTER: Senior guard surpasses 1,000-point mark, leads Jaguars past Ames

Centennial boys hit 10 3-pointers, roll to victory over winless Scarlets

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The Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball players were anxious to put Friday's loss to Ankeny behind them. The Jaguars found a good opponent in Des Moines East to do just that. Centennial jumped out to an early 10-0 lead, built a 19-point halftime advantage and rolled to a 77-33 victory over the visiting Scarlets in a CIML non-conference game on … [Read more...] about Centennial boys hit 10 3-pointers, roll to victory over winless Scarlets

Hawks blow big lead, then recover to beat Centennial despite Strait’s 32 points

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The inexperienced Ankeny boys' basketball team appears to be growing up in a hurry. After blowing a 21-point lead in Friday's game at Ankeny Centennial, the Hawks made several big plays down the stretch and then held on for a 56-52 victory over their crosstown rival. The win was Ankeny's fourth in a row and avenged last month's 55-52 loss to the … [Read more...] about Hawks blow big lead, then recover to beat Centennial despite Strait’s 32 points

Ankeny teams enter Friday’s rematch at Centennial with plenty of confidence

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If Friday's basketball doubleheader at Ankeny Centennial is as entertaining as last month's rivalry games at Ankeny, then fans of the Hawks and Jaguars will be in for a treat. Both the girls' and boys' games came down to the last possession on Dec. 21, when Centennial posted a pair of narrow wins. The Jaguars escaped with a 43-41 victory in the opener as … [Read more...] about Ankeny teams enter Friday’s rematch at Centennial with plenty of confidence

Jaguars overcome bus trouble, slow start to defeat Mason City

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It took the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team a little longer than expected to make its trip to Mason City on Tuesday. "There was something wrong with the bus, and we had to pull off the road on the way up there," said Centennial coach Bob Fontana. "We didn't get there until there was 4 minutes left in the first half of the girls' game." It also … [Read more...] about Jaguars overcome bus trouble, slow start to defeat Mason City

Williams, Valley boys halt Jaguars’ winning streak

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Trayvon Williams showed why he was the Class 4A runner-up in the high jump last spring. The Valley junior leaped high to block a potential game-winning shot by Hunter Strait in the final seconds of Friday's boys' basketball game at Ankeny Centennial, allowing the Tigers to escape with a 43-41 victory. "Their length and athleticism gave us some … [Read more...] about Williams, Valley boys halt Jaguars’ winning streak

Red-hot Jaguars top Roosevelt, post their ninth victory in the last 10 games

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  The Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team overcame a slow start to defeat visiting Des Moines Roosevelt, 53-44, in a CIML non-conference game on Tuesday. The Jaguars battled back from an early 16-12 deficit to extend their winning streak to six games. They won for the ninth time in their last 10 contests while raising their record to 9-3 … [Read more...] about Red-hot Jaguars top Roosevelt, post their ninth victory in the last 10 games

Centennial boys top Warriors, take sole possession of league lead

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Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball coach Bob Fontana would rather qualify for the state tournament than win a conference title. If his team continues to play like it did on Friday night, the Jaguars just might be able to accomplish both of those things. Centennial relied on a balanced scoring attack and a stingy defense to beat visiting Waukee, 62-55, … [Read more...] about Centennial boys top Warriors, take sole possession of league lead