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
Cody McCullough
Bayless, McCullough named to Register’s Class 4A all-state first team
Ankeny's Braxton Bayless and Ankeny Centennial's Cody McCullough racked up some more postseason honors on Friday. The two boys' basketball standouts were both named to the Class 4A all-state first team by The Des Moines Register. The duo was previously selected to the Class 4A first team by the Iowa Print Sports Writers Association. Bayless, a senior … [Read more...] about Bayless, McCullough named to Register’s Class 4A all-state first team
Bayless, McCullough, Crews, Johnson earn all-state honors from IPSWA
Four of the state's top 24 boys' basketball players in Class 4A played for either state champion Ankeny or CIML Central Conference champ Ankeny Centennial, according to the Iowa Print Sports Writers Association. Senior guard Braxton Bayless of Ankeny and senior forward Cody McCullough of Centennial were both selected to the Class 4A all-state first team … [Read more...] about Bayless, McCullough, Crews, Johnson earn all-state honors from IPSWA
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 87
Check out the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by the Ankeny office of Iowa Realty. Ankeny boys' basketball coach Brandt Carlson and one of his top players, Jordan Kumm, stopped by to recap the Hawks' state championship with Ankeny Fanatic publisher Dan Holm, who also interviewed Tim Scheib--one of the players on Ankeny's 1995 … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 87
‘He’s an animal’: McCullough sets school record with 24 rebounds in Jaguars’ loss
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
‘They found a weakness in our defense’: Waukee boys avenge loss to Jaguars
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
The wait is over: Fontana’s Jaguars earn their first trip to Wells Fargo Arena
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
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
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
No. 2 Jaguars hold off Ankeny, capture first conference crown since 2015
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
‘It’s a really great feeling’: Jaguars edge Ankeny to clinch conference title
Ankeny Centennial's Cody McCullough wasn't happy when he missed a free throw with 9 seconds left in Friday's game at Ankeny. The miss allowed the Hawks to have an opportunity to win the game on the final possession. Braxton Bayless fired a pass to Jaxon Smith in the left corner, but Smith's 3-point try bounced off the rim in the final seconds. … [Read more...] about ‘It’s a really great feeling’: Jaguars edge Ankeny to clinch conference title
Jaguars take down No. 1 Waukee, give Fontana his 400th career victory
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
DOUBLE TROUBLE: McCullough, Johnson lead Jaguars past Ankeny boys
A dynamic duo emerged for the Ankeny boys' basketball team on Monday. Ankeny Centennial's twin towers were just a little bit better. Post players Cody McCullough and Micah Johnson combined for 46 points and 33 rebounds against Ankeny's undersized squad to lead the sixth-ranked Jaguars to a 69-61 victory at Centennial. The No. 9 Hawks had won the last … [Read more...] about DOUBLE TROUBLE: McCullough, Johnson lead Jaguars past Ankeny boys
Central Bank Athlete of the Month: Cody McCullough, Centennial senior
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 78
Check out the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by the Ankeny office of Iowa Realty. Ankeny Centennial assistant boys' basketball coach Bobby Sandquist and senior post player Cody McCullough, along with Ankeny head coach Brandt Carlson and junior forward Brecken Manus, stopped by to discuss their big wins on Tuesday and to preview … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 78
Centennial boys overcome offensive woes to beat Roosevelt, stay unbeaten
On a night when the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team struggled to find the basket, the Jaguars overcame their offensive woes with another strong defensive performance. Centennial allowed a season-low for points as the Jaguars rolled to a 56-35 victory over visiting Des Moines Roosevelt on Tuesday. The Roughriders' leading scorer, Romanique Hellems, … [Read more...] about Centennial boys overcome offensive woes to beat Roosevelt, stay unbeaten
Johnson commits to Missouri school; McCullough will play for Wayne State
Ankeny Centennial basketball standouts Micah Johnson and Cody McCullough both revealed their college choices within minutes of each other on Sunday night. Johnson has verbally committed to play for Missouri S & T, while McCullough is headed to Wayne State College. Both players announced their decisions via Twitter. "It was a hard decision," said … [Read more...] about Johnson commits to Missouri school; McCullough will play for Wayne State
Ankeny duo named to all-conference first team along with McCullough
The CIML Central Conference boys' basketball first team includes a trio of players from Ankeny. Senior guard Dillon Carlson and junior guard Braxton Bayless of Ankeny were both named to the team along with junior forward Cody McCullough of Ankeny Centennial. The all-conference teams were selected by the league's coaches. Bayless led the Hawks to a 13-8 … [Read more...] about Ankeny duo named to all-conference first team along with McCullough
Locure overcomes foul trouble, leads North boys to victory over Jaguars
Des Moines North basketball star Tyreke Locure got into some foul trouble during Tuesday's game against visiting Ankeny Centennial. But the senior point guard, who has often been plagued by foul problems, knows how to handle those situations. He picked up three fouls in the first quarter and got his fourth foul in the third quarter, but did not foul … [Read more...] about Locure overcomes foul trouble, leads North boys to victory over Jaguars
Revive Clinic and Spa Preps of the Week: Hoop stars Cody and Sara McCullough
Cousins Sara and Cody McCullough have grown up on the opposite sides of Ankeny's crosstown rivalry. Sara, a senior forward, is the leading scorer and rebounder for the Ankeny girls' basketball team, which dropped a 47-32 decision at Ankeny Centennial on Friday. The Northern Iowa recruit has averaged 13.8 points and 8.4 rebounds per game while helping the … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Preps of the Week: Hoop stars Cody and Sara McCullough