Ankeny Fanatic

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Bob Fontana

Centennial boys outlast Hawks in seesaw battle, clinch share of league crown

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It's a good bet that the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team will be practicing its free throws before Tuesday's game against second-ranked Waukee. The No. 4 Jaguars nearly let Friday's game at Ankeny slip away due to some poor free-throw shooting. They missed all seven of their attempts in the third quarter, which allowed the Hawks to rally from a … [Read more...] about Centennial boys outlast Hawks in seesaw battle, clinch share of league crown

Blimpie Sub of the Week: Chris Louis, Ankeny Centennial boys’ basketball

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Junior guard Chris Louis is a member of the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team. He has helped the fourth-ranked Jaguars to a 9-1 record. Louis is averaging 7.8 points and 2.5 rebounds per game. He scored a career-high 16 points in Centennial's only loss at No. 5 Valley on Jan. 9. “Chris has provided us with an additional offensive threat," said … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Chris Louis, Ankeny Centennial boys’ basketball

Five Centennial players score in double figures as Jaguars top Mason City

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The Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team moved another step closer to the CIML Iowa Conference title with a 76-48 victory over visiting Mason City on Saturday. The win, coupled with Ames' triumph over Ankeny, gives the Jaguars a two-game lead in league play with only three contests remaining. They are now 7-0 in the conference and 9-1 overall. Ames … [Read more...] about Five Centennial players score in double figures as Jaguars top Mason City

Kelling erupts for 16 points in 2nd quarter, leads Jaguars to lopsided win

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A huge second quarter from junior guard Caden Kelling helped the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team to a 75-38 victory over visiting Marshalltown on Friday. Kelling scored 16 of his career-high 18 points in the second quarter as the fourth-ranked Jaguars built a commanding 39-13 halftime lead. His previous career-high of 15 points came in a win over … [Read more...] about Kelling erupts for 16 points in 2nd quarter, leads Jaguars to lopsided win

‘We tried to force them into making tough shots’: Jaguars stifle Hoover boys

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For the second time this season, the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team went on the road Tuesday night and handed another ranked opponent its first loss. The fourth-ranked Jaguars raced out to an early 17-5 lead and went on to defeat No. 9 Des Moines Hoover, 57-49, in a non-conference game. "Hoover's a very solid team," said Centennial coach Bob … [Read more...] about ‘We tried to force them into making tough shots’: Jaguars stifle Hoover boys

‘Our defense was a point of emphasis’: Jaguars allow just 34 points in victory

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The Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team was looking for an improved defensive performance after giving up 83 points in Saturday's loss at Valley. The fifth-ranked Jaguars accomplished their goal on Tuesday. Centennial forced 21 turnovers and rolled to an 80-34 victory over visiting Fort Dodge. The Jaguars are now 5-0 in the CIML Iowa Conference and … [Read more...] about ‘Our defense was a point of emphasis’: Jaguars allow just 34 points in victory

‘We gave them way too many good looks’: Centennial boys fall to Tigers

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It's a good bet that the Valley boys' basketball team won't be unranked much longer. After knocking off seventh-ranked Johnston and No. 8 Southeast Polk earlier in the week, the Tigers remained unbeaten on Saturday with an 83-76 victory over visiting Ankeny Centennial, the No. 3 team in Class 4A. They improved to 4-0 on the season. It was the first … [Read more...] about ‘We gave them way too many good looks’: Centennial boys fall to Tigers

‘I think Lio grew up tonight’: Freshman Aguirre sparks Jaguars past No. 2 Ames

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If the rest of the Central Iowa Metropolitan League didn't know about Ankeny Centennial's Lio Aguirre before Tuesday's game at Ames, they certainly do now. The freshman forward scored 21 points and sparked a huge second-half rally as the sixth-ranked Centennial boys' basketball team rallied for a 55-53 victory over No. 2 Ames. "We're capable of a lot. … [Read more...] about ‘I think Lio grew up tonight’: Freshman Aguirre sparks Jaguars past No. 2 Ames

‘We found a way to win’: Centennial boys use late run to hold off Bobcats

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A 14-3 run to close out the game allowed the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team to escape with a 72-62 victory at Marshalltown on Friday. The eighth-ranked Jaguars improved to 2-0 in the CIML Iowa Conference and 3-0 overall. Marshalltown's records fell to 0-1 and 0-3. "We played in spurts all night," said Centennial coach Bob Fontana. "We found a … [Read more...] about ‘We found a way to win’: Centennial boys use late run to hold off Bobcats

Crews scores 20, Louis adds 14 in Jaguars’ 78-62 victory over Newton

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A 30-point third quarter helped the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team pull away for a 78-62 victory over visiting Newton in a non-conference game on Tuesday. The eighth-ranked Jaguars improved to 2-0 on the season. The Cardinals dropped to 3-1. "They were unbeaten," said Centennial coach Bob Fontana. "I'd seen them on tape, and I was impressed … [Read more...] about Crews scores 20, Louis adds 14 in Jaguars’ 78-62 victory over Newton

Centennial boys rout Fort Dodge, score most points ever in season opener

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By the end of the third quarter on Friday, the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team had already scored its most points ever in a season-opening game. The ninth-ranked Jaguars used a 35-point period to build a 77-38 advantage after three quarters at Fort Dodge. They went on to post a 95-40 victory over the Dodgers, just two points shy of the school … [Read more...] about Centennial boys rout Fort Dodge, score most points ever in season opener

Crews, McAleer to lead way as Jaguars rebuild after record-setting season

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Following the most successful season in school history, the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team faces a major rebuilding task. The Jaguars return only two starters from a team that posted a 24-3 record and placed fourth in the Class 4A state tournament. "Our kids understand we will have to be a hard-nosed team with great chemistry that plays hard … [Read more...] about Crews, McAleer to lead way as Jaguars rebuild after record-setting season

Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny boys’ basketball team

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It's been more than a month since the Ankeny boys' basketball team capped off an amazing postseason run by winning the Class 4A state title at Wells Fargo Arena. Man, I miss sports. The Hawks' 78-70 victory over Waukee in the championship game was played before a sparse crowd because both schools were limited to just 100 fans due to concern over spread … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny boys’ basketball team

‘He’s an animal’: McCullough sets school record with 24 rebounds in Jaguars’ loss

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Bob Fontana got a little choked up following Friday's Class 4A consolation game at the boys' state basketball tournament. He knew he had coached the seniors on his Ankeny Centennial squad for the last time. "It's real tough with these guys because they've been so good," Fontana said following the Jaguars' 65-58 loss to Cedar Falls at Wells Fargo Arena. … [Read more...] about ‘He’s an animal’: McCullough sets school record with 24 rebounds in Jaguars’ loss

Jaguars tumble to Cedar Falls, finish 4th in their state tournament debut

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The Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team placed fourth in the Class 4A state tournament. The top-seeded Jaguars lost to two-time defending champion Cedar Falls, 65-58, in the consolation final on Friday at Wells Fargo Arena. They finished the best season in school history with a 24-3 record. "I'm very, very proud of these guys," said Centennial … [Read more...] about Jaguars tumble to Cedar Falls, finish 4th in their state tournament debut

‘They found a weakness in our defense’: Waukee boys avenge loss to Jaguars

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When the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team posted a 78-70 victory at Waukee on Jan. 28, the Jaguars looked like a legitimate state championship contender. The loss, though, may have benefited the Warriors as well. Waukee has since reeled off 13 consecutive wins and avenged that loss by defeating top-seeded Centennial, 68-62, in the Class 4A … [Read more...] about ‘They found a weakness in our defense’: Waukee boys avenge loss to Jaguars

‘We survived and advanced’: Jaguars hold off Davenport North in quarterfinals

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The fans of the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team held their collective breath in the final seconds of the Jaguars' first state tournament game ever. Eighth-seeded Davenport North had a chance to pull off a huge upset at the buzzer, but a 3-point shot by Mahki Jacobs bounced off the rim as time expired and top-ranked Centennial escaped with a 53-51 … [Read more...] about ‘We survived and advanced’: Jaguars hold off Davenport North in quarterfinals

The wait is over: Fontana’s Jaguars earn their first trip to Wells Fargo Arena

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When Bob Fontana returned to his hometown of Ankeny in 2013 to build the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball program from scratch, one of his primary goals was to get the Jaguars to the state tournament in the next few years. It took a little longer than he would have liked, but the wait was worth it. On Tuesday, Fontana guided the top-ranked Jaguars to … [Read more...] about The wait is over: Fontana’s Jaguars earn their first trip to Wells Fargo Arena