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Bob Fontana

‘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

Centennial, Ankeny boys to play for state tournament berths on Tuesday

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A trip to the Class 4A state tournament is only 32 minutes away for the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball teams. The top-ranked Jaguars (22-1) will meet CIML Central Conference rival Johnston (15-7) in a substate final on Tuesday at Southeast Polk, while the Hawks (17-5) will face Sioux City East (17-4) at Fort Dodge. Both games begin at 7 … [Read more...] about Centennial, Ankeny boys to play for state tournament berths on Tuesday

Kelling, No. 1 Centennial boys roll past Roughriders in postseason opener

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Ankeny Centennial's Preston Kelling drove to the basket on Friday with a Des Moines Roosevelt defender right at his side. Kelling then rose up and threw down a monster dunk late in the first half of a Class 4A boys' basketball substate semifinal at Centennial. "I was feeling it at the time," Kelling said. "I was feeling good. It was just in the … [Read more...] about Kelling, No. 1 Centennial boys roll past Roughriders in postseason opener

Jaguars romp past Lincoln, will take 21-1 record into postseason play

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The top-ranked Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team completed the best regular season in school history with a 79-54 victory over visiting Des Moines Lincoln on Friday. It was the 15th straight win for the Jaguars, who improved to 21-1 heading into postseason play. Lincoln's record dropped to 12-9. "I'm real proud of the guys," said Centennial coach … [Read more...] about Jaguars romp past Lincoln, will take 21-1 record into postseason play

Jaguars roll past Fort Dodge, become first 20-win team in school history

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The Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team achieved another milestone on Tuesday. The top-ranked Jaguars became the winningest team in school history with an 83-51 victory at Fort Dodge. They extended their winning streak to 14 games while raising their record to 20-1. It's the program's first 20-win season under coach Bob Fontana. His previous best … [Read more...] about Jaguars roll past Fort Dodge, become first 20-win team in school history

‘I’m happy for our seniors’: Jaguars cut down nets after beating Urbandale

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The Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team had to wait a week to cut down the nets. The top-ranked Jaguars clinched the outright CIML Central Conference title on Feb. 7 with a 50-48 victory at Ankeny, so they waited until after Friday's 62-48 win over visiting Urbandale to bring down the nets in the Centennial gym. Each of the players and coaches … [Read more...] about ‘I’m happy for our seniors’: Jaguars cut down nets after beating Urbandale

Centennial boys enjoy record-setting night in victory over Mohawks

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After rising to the No. 1 spot in the latest Class 4A rankings by the Associated Press, the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team extended its winning streak to 12 games with a 97-61 non-conference victory at Mason City on Tuesday. The Jaguars tied the school record for most points in a game. They also scored 97 in a win at Des Moines East three years … [Read more...] about Centennial boys enjoy record-setting night in victory over Mohawks

No. 2 Jaguars hold off Ankeny, capture first conference crown since 2015

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Braxton Bayless wouldn't hesitate to pass the ball to Jaxon Smith again. Smith missed a potential game-winning 3-pointer in the final seconds of Friday's Jag-Hawk rematch at Ankeny, allowing the second-ranked Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team to escape with a 50-48 victory. "I'll give it to him 100 percent of the time if he's wide open like … [Read more...] about No. 2 Jaguars hold off Ankeny, capture first conference crown since 2015

Jag-Hawk II: Boys to play for league crown; Girls’ game more about pride

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A lot will be at stake on Friday when the two Ankeny boys' basketball teams meet for the second time in less than three weeks. Second-ranked Ankeny Centennial heads across town for a rematch against the Hawks, who will be looking to avenge a 69-61 loss at Centennial on Jan. 20. The Jaguars (7-1, 16-1) can clinch the outright CIML Central Conference title … [Read more...] about Jag-Hawk II: Boys to play for league crown; Girls’ game more about pride

Centennial boys earn 10th straight win, hand Scarlets their 31st loss in a row

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It would have been easy for the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team to overlook its opponent on Tuesday. Des Moines East entered the non-conference game at Centennial with a 1-57 record over the last three years. The Scarlets' last two losses, which came by margins of 16 and 14 points, were their closest games of this season. "You just hope in … [Read more...] about Centennial boys earn 10th straight win, hand Scarlets their 31st loss in a row

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

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

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

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

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

Jaguars avoid letdown, convert 30-of-33 free throws in win over North

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Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball coach Bob Fontana was hoping that his team could avoid a letdown after Monday's huge victory over Ankeny. He should not have been worried. The sixth-ranked Jaguars returned to the court on Tuesday and defeated visiting Des Moines North, 85-74, in a non-conference game. They improved to 12-1 on the season, while … [Read more...] about Jaguars avoid letdown, convert 30-of-33 free throws in win over North