Ankeny Fanatic

Your Ankeny Sports Resource

Bob Fontana

Centennial boys convert 16-of-21 free throws, hang on to beat Urbandale

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After building a 46-32 lead at the end of three quarters, the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team appeared to be on its way to a comfortable victory in its season opener on Tuesday. But Urbandale refused to go away in the CIML Conference contest. The visiting J-Hawks opened the final period with a 17-6 run and closed the gap to 52-49 with 1 minute … [Read more...] about Centennial boys convert 16-of-21 free throws, hang on to beat Urbandale

With 13 players battling for playing time, Jaguars to rely on depth, chemistry

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There is no shortage of players battling for playing time on the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team. The Jaguars return four key players from last year's squad that posted a 12-10 record, but nine other players are also in the mix to earn spots in the team's rotation. "We have 13 guys that will compete for playing time, so those who 'bring it' … [Read more...] about With 13 players battling for playing time, Jaguars to rely on depth, chemistry

Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny football team (pre-Pezzetti era)

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Ankeny's success on the football field didn't begin with coach Jerry Pezzetti's arrival in 1969. In the previous four decades, Ankeny racked up 11 undefeated seasons, including five in a row from 1933-37 that resulted in a 44-game winning streak. The Hawks also went unbeaten in 1943, 1946, 1950, 1957, 1959 and 1961. Unlike today, most of the stars of … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny football team (pre-Pezzetti era)

‘It was a tough game’: Jaguars close out season with loss to Hoover, Henderson

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When the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team posted a 50-41 victory over Des Moines Hoover on Jan. 18, the Huskies played without their leading scorer, Chase Henderson. The junior guard showed on Friday just how valuable he is. Henderson poured in a game-high 23 points despite battling some foul trouble and the Huskies avenged that loss with a … [Read more...] about ‘It was a tough game’: Jaguars close out season with loss to Hoover, Henderson

‘It was very disappointing’: Jaguars let lead slip away, fall in OT at Urbandale

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A second-half scoring drought proved to be costly for the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team in its regular-season finale on Friday at Urbandale. The J-Hawks rallied from a 27-15 halftime deficit to forge a 44-44 tie at the end of regulation, then outscored No. 10 Centennial in overtime, 11-7, to post a 55-51 victory in the non-conference … [Read more...] about ‘It was very disappointing’: Jaguars let lead slip away, fall in OT at Urbandale

Centennial boys cruise past Polar Bears, raise their overall record to 12-8

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Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball coach Bob Fontana went deeper into his bench on Tuesday night. Coming off a hard-fought win over Marshalltown 24 hours earlier, the 10th-ranked Jaguars went on the road and posted a 76-48 victory over Des Moines North in a non-conference contest. "We were able to play 10 or 11 kids throughout the game on a regular … [Read more...] about Centennial boys cruise past Polar Bears, raise their overall record to 12-8

No. 10 Centennial boys use late 10-1 run to hold off Marshalltown, Thomas

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Chris Louis breathed a sigh of relief following Monday's boys' basketball game against visiting Marshalltown. The senior guard scored six consecutive points in the final minute as 10th-ranked Ankeny Centennial held off a late Bobcats' rally to post a 76-71 victory in a make-up CIML Iowa Conference contest. The Jaguars bounced back from an 81-79 … [Read more...] about No. 10 Centennial boys use late 10-1 run to hold off Marshalltown, Thomas

‘I know I can hit that shot’: Aguirre’s OT buzzer-beater lifts Ankeny past Jaguars

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Ankeny's Lio Aguirre hadn't make a basket all night. He couldn't have picked a better time to sink his only shot. Aguirre made a jumper at the buzzer to give the sixth-ranked Hawks an 81-79 overtime victory against visiting Ankeny Centennial on Friday. The sophomore forward had missed a shot in the waning seconds of Tuesday's game at Des Moines Hoover, … [Read more...] about ‘I know I can hit that shot’: Aguirre’s OT buzzer-beater lifts Ankeny past Jaguars

Centennial boys pull away in 4th quarter for 49-40 victory over Dowling

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The Dowling Catholic boys' basketball team entered Tuesday's non-conference game at Ankeny Centennial with a 6-11 record. Centennial coach Bob Fontana wouldn't let his players be fooled by the Maroons' .353 winning percentage. "In the latest BC Moore rankings, Dowling had the toughest schedule in the state," Fontana said. "They've lost to a lot of … [Read more...] about Centennial boys pull away in 4th quarter for 49-40 victory over Dowling

Without Lipsey, Little Cyclones hold off Centennial to clinch share of CIML crown

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Bob Fontana wasn't sure how much his Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team had improved since the Jaguars lost to top-ranked Ames, 58-38, a month ago. Friday's rematch at Ames produced some mixed results. No. 10 Centennial battled Ames down to the wire before dropping a 44-37 decision, but the Little Cyclones earned the victory without their … [Read more...] about Without Lipsey, Little Cyclones hold off Centennial to clinch share of CIML crown

Snyder scores season-high 18 points, leads Jaguars past Davenport West

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Ankeny Centennial's Jackson Snyder is going to wait until after the basketball season to undergo surgery for a torn labrum. The senior guard hasn't been slowed by the injury. Snyder sat out three games after getting hurt, then returned to the court on Friday and scored 12 points in the Jaguars' 80-75 victory at Marshalltown. On Saturday, he poured … [Read more...] about Snyder scores season-high 18 points, leads Jaguars past Davenport West

Hawks, Jaguars could see familiar opponents in Class 4A substate play

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The Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball teams could see some familiar opponents in substate play. The Iowa High School Athletic Association announced its postseason assignments on Friday. The eighth-ranked Hawks (12-2) have been placed in Class 4A Substate 1, while the Jaguars (9-6) have been placed in Substate 2. Ankeny will be joined in … [Read more...] about Hawks, Jaguars could see familiar opponents in Class 4A substate play

Red-hot Jaguars hold off Marshalltown’s late rally for 5th consecutive victory

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Earlier this month, the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team was reeling after suffering four straight losses by an average of 18.5 points. Now, the Jaguars are one of the hottest teams in the CIML. Centennial placed four players in double figures and held off a late rally by host Marshalltown to post an 80-75 victory on Friday, its fifth in a row. … [Read more...] about Red-hot Jaguars hold off Marshalltown’s late rally for 5th consecutive victory

Centennial boys get off to fast start, beat Scarlets for their 4th straight victory

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There was no chance the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team was going to overlook Des Moines East in Tuesday's non-conference game. The host Scarlets entered the contest with an unimpressive 3-9 record, but they snapped an eight-game losing skid with a 67-62 win over Fort Dodge on Saturday and then followed with a 72-57 victory over Des Moines North … [Read more...] about Centennial boys get off to fast start, beat Scarlets for their 4th straight victory

Kelling’s monster game allows Jaguars to hold off Mason City, Miner in double OT

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After suffering through a four-game losing streak, the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team is now riding a three-game winning streak. But the latest win on Friday against visiting Mason City didn't come easily. The Jaguars finally prevailed, 89-82, in double overtime, overcoming a 38-point performance by Mason City's Cory Miner. "Mason City … [Read more...] about Kelling’s monster game allows Jaguars to hold off Mason City, Miner in double OT