Ankeny Fanatic

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Cleao Murray

‘It was an amazing run’: DeJong retires after 37 seasons, record 7 state titles

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When Scott DeJong came to Ankeny in 1993 to take over the girls' basketball program, he replaced a legendary coach in Dick Rasmussen. Now, more than three decades later, DeJong has put an end to his own legendary career. The only head coach in Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball history, DeJong announced his retirement on Tuesday--shortly after giving … [Read more...] about ‘It was an amazing run’: DeJong retires after 37 seasons, record 7 state titles

Murray scores 17 points in final game as Vikings fall in 2nd round of NAIA Tourney

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Cleao Murray and the Grand View women's basketball team closed out the season on Saturday with a 71-60 loss to top-seeded Indiana Wesleyan in the second round of the NAIA National Tournament at Marion, Ind. Murray, a former Ankeny Centennial star, scored 17 points in her final game for the Vikings. She also had four rebounds and five steals. Grand View … [Read more...] about Murray scores 17 points in final game as Vikings fall in 2nd round of NAIA Tourney

Ex-Centennial hoops standout Murray reaches 1,000-point career milestone

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Former Ankeny Centennial basketball standout Cleao Murray recently surpassed the 1,000-point career milestone at the collegiate level. Murray, a junior guard, has helped Grand View to a 23-7 record in her second season with the Vikings. She scored 165 points in her freshman year at Missouri Western before transferring to Grand View. Murray scored 555 … [Read more...] about Ex-Centennial hoops standout Murray reaches 1,000-point career milestone

Grand View’s Murray named to Heart of America Athletic Conference first team

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Grand View junior Cleao Murray has been named to the Heart of America Athletic Conference women's basketball first team. The junior guard has helped the Vikings to a 23-6 record heading into Friday's game at home against Benedictine College (Kan.) in the semifinals of the conference tournament. Murray, a former Ankeny Centennial … [Read more...] about Grand View’s Murray named to Heart of America Athletic Conference first team

Murray named Heart of America Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Week

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Former Ankeny Centennial basketball standout Cleao Murray was named the Heart of America Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Week on Monday after leading the Grand View women's team to a pair of victories. Murray, a junior guard, scored 31 points on 13-of-18 shooting in an 83-64 win over visiting Graceland on Wednesday. She then had 18 points on … [Read more...] about Murray named Heart of America Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Week

Cold-shooting Grand View drops 72-53 decision in first round of NAIA tourney

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A rough shooting night resulted in a season-ending loss for Cleao Murray and the Grand View women's basketball team. The fifth-seeded Vikings shot just 27.5 percent from the field (19-of-69) and dropped a 72-53 decision to No. 12 seed Indiana South Bend in the opening round of the NAIA Championship on Friday at Madison, S.D. Indiana South Bend (31-1) … [Read more...] about Cold-shooting Grand View drops 72-53 decision in first round of NAIA tourney

Murray leads Grand View to conference tourney title, into NAIA Championship

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Cleao Murray has led the Grand View women's basketball team to unprecedented heights. The former Ankeny Centennial star scored 19 points to help the Vikings to a 65-62 victory over visiting Benedictine (Kan.) in the championship game of the Heart of America Conference Tournament on Tuesday at Sisam Arena. She went 8-of-19 from the field, including 2-of-6 … [Read more...] about Murray leads Grand View to conference tourney title, into NAIA Championship

‘It’s been a good switch for me’: Murray returns home, helps Vikings to 11-1 start

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The transition to the NAIA level is going smoothly for former Ankeny Centennial basketball standout Cleao Murray. After spending one year at Missouri Western, Murray returned home and has helped the Grand View women's team to an 11-1 start this season, including an 8-1 record in the Heart of America Athletic Conference. The 5-foot-8 sophomore guard scored … [Read more...] about ‘It’s been a good switch for me’: Murray returns home, helps Vikings to 11-1 start

COMING HOME: Missouri Western’s Murray to transfer to Grand View

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Former Ankeny Centennial basketball standout Cleao Murray is coming home. After spending one season at Missouri Western, Murray has decided to transfer to Grand View University in Des Moines. She announced her commitment via Twitter on Wednesday. "I picked Grand View because I really enjoyed my visit and the people I met on campus when I was there," … [Read more...] about COMING HOME: Missouri Western’s Murray to transfer to Grand View

Murray takes her game to another level, scores career-high 17 points for Griffons

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Cleao Murray is making a rapid adjustment to the NCAA Division II level. The former Ankeny Centennial guard scored a career-high 17 points on Saturday as the Missouri Western women's basketball team lost to visiting Fort Hays State, 64-58, in a rematch of last year's NCAA Central Region championship. The true freshman made 7-of-11 shots from the … [Read more...] about Murray takes her game to another level, scores career-high 17 points for Griffons

Murray, Pitz earn all-state honors from Iowa Girls’ Coaches Association

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Chalk up another postseason honor for the duo of Cleao Murray and Jenna Pitz. The two girls' basketball standouts have both received all-state honors from the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association. Murray, a senior guard at Ankeny Centennial, was named to the Class 5A second team. Pitz, a junior guard at Ankeny, was a third-team pick. Both players were … [Read more...] about Murray, Pitz earn all-state honors from Iowa Girls’ Coaches Association

Murray, Pitz earn all-state honors from Iowa Print Sports Writers Association

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Girls' basketball standouts Cleao Murray of Ankeny Centennial and Jenna Pitz of Ankeny have received all-state honors from the Iowa Print Sports Writers Association. Murray, a senior guard, was named to the Class 5A first team. Pitz, a junior guard, was a third-team selection. Murray led the Jaguars to a 20-4 record and a repeat appearance in the Class … [Read more...] about Murray, Pitz earn all-state honors from Iowa Print Sports Writers Association

Unanimous picks Murray, Pitz joined on all-conference first team by White, Jacks

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Guards Cleao Murray of Ankeny Centennial and Jenna Pitz of Ankeny were both unanimous picks to the CIML Iowa Conference first team by a vote of the league's girls' basketball coaches. Murray and Pitz led their teams to a share of the conference title this season. Ankeny and Centennial tied for the crown with Waukee Northwest. Murray, a senior, helped … [Read more...] about Unanimous picks Murray, Pitz joined on all-conference first team by White, Jacks

‘We knew it was a tough draw’: Talented Wahawks end Centennial’s bid for crown

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The Class 5A field for this year's girls' state basketball tournament might be one of the best ever. It's certainly the deepest. Sixth-ranked Waterloo West showed that it may be the most talented team in Class 5A with a 67-59 victory over No. 3 Ankeny Centennial in the quarterfinals on Monday at Wells Fargo Arena. The Wahawks (22-2) advanced to … [Read more...] about ‘We knew it was a tough draw’: Talented Wahawks end Centennial’s bid for crown

‘We left it all out on the court’: Jaguars fall to hot-shooting Waterloo West, 67-59

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The Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team didn't go down without a fight. The third-ranked Jaguars made several runs in the second half but came up short against No. 6 Waterloo West, 67-59, in the quarterfinals of the Class 5A state tournament on Monday at Wells Fargo Arena. "I think we left it all out on the court," said Centennial senior Cleao … [Read more...] about ‘We left it all out on the court’: Jaguars fall to hot-shooting Waterloo West, 67-59

Centennial’s Murray joins Ankeny’s Gage, Pitz on Class 5A West all-district team

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Ankeny Centennial senior Cleao Murray has been named to the Class 5A West all-district girls' basketball team along with Ankeny standouts Savannah Gage and Jenna Pitz. The teams were selected by the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association. Murray, a 5-foot-8 guard, has helped the Jaguars to a 20-3 record and a berth in next week's Class 5A state tournament at … [Read more...] about Centennial’s Murray joins Ankeny’s Gage, Pitz on Class 5A West all-district team

‘There’s nothing like it!’: Centennial girls are headed back to Wells Fargo Arena

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Ankeny Centennial's Cleao Murray stood at the charity stripe in the final seconds of Wednesday's game against visiting Sioux City East with a chance to send her team to the girls' state basketball tournament. She wasn't going to let this opportunity slip away. Murray made four straight free throws in the final 7.8 seconds and the third-ranked Jaguars … [Read more...] about ‘There’s nothing like it!’: Centennial girls are headed back to Wells Fargo Arena

After their bus breaks down, Bobcats get thumped by Centennial in regional game

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Scott DeJong told his Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball players to be prepared for anything prior to Saturday's Class 5A regional semifinal against visiting Marshalltown. That turned out to be some good advice. The Bobcats arrived late for the game after their bus broke down on the way to Ankeny. The contest started about 30 minutes later than … [Read more...] about After their bus breaks down, Bobcats get thumped by Centennial in regional game

AN HISTORIC WIN: Hawkettes rally past Centennial, defeat rival for first time

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It took nearly a decade for the Ankeny girls' basketball team to finally defeat its crosstown rival. When it finally happened on Friday night, the 12th-ranked Hawkettes also captured a share of the CIML Iowa Conference title. The Ankeny players doused coach Dru McAnelly with Gatorade in the locker room after the host Hawkettes rallied past No. 2 Ankeny … [Read more...] about AN HISTORIC WIN: Hawkettes rally past Centennial, defeat rival for first time