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Dru McAnelly

‘We got very stagnant’: Cold-shooting Ankeny girls tumble to No. 8 S.E. Polk

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With the final seconds of the first half ticking off the clock on Tuesday night, Southeast Polk guard Alyssa Bartlett hurried the ball up the court during a CIML Conference girls' basketball game at Ankeny. Bartlett dribbled behind her back to avoid an Ankeny defender, then launched a 3-point shot from half-court that swished through the net as time … [Read more...] about ‘We got very stagnant’: Cold-shooting Ankeny girls tumble to No. 8 S.E. Polk

Without injured Moser, Hawkettes’ valiant effort falls short against No. 2 Johnston

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For more than a half, the Ankeny girls' basketball team had defending Class 5A state champion Johnston on the ropes on Friday night. The ninth-ranked Hawkettes jumped out to a 19-8 lead in the first quarter and held a 30-27 advantage at halftime before No. 2 Johnston took control and pulled away for a 68-59 victory in a CIML Conference game at Ankeny. The … [Read more...] about Without injured Moser, Hawkettes’ valiant effort falls short against No. 2 Johnston

Gage, Hawkettes hold off furious Waukee rally to win CIML Conference opener

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When the Ankeny girls' basketball team went through a scoring drought on Tuesday, the Hawkettes relied on their defense to win their CIML Conference opener. Ninth-ranked Ankeny led by as many as 16 points in both halves before No. 14 Waukee staged a huge rally on its home court, closing to within two points late in the game before the Hawkettes held on … [Read more...] about Gage, Hawkettes hold off furious Waukee rally to win CIML Conference opener

‘We have high goals this year’: Hawkettes raise the bar after record-setting season

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The bar has been raised for the Ankeny girls' basketball program. The Hawkettes enjoyed a record-setting season last year under coach Dru McAnelly, posting a 16-7 mark and earning a share of the CIML Iowa Conference title. They also reached a Class 5A regional final before dropping a 49-47 decision at second-ranked Des Moines Roosevelt. Now, the Ankeny … [Read more...] about ‘We have high goals this year’: Hawkettes raise the bar after record-setting season

HAWKETTE HEARTBREAK: Davison’s buzzer-beater ends Ankeny’s season

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Dru McAnelly is going to remember the journey more than the end result. The Ankeny girls' basketball coach tried to keep his emotions in check after his team closed out an historic season with a heartbreaking loss on Wednesday. "I told (the players) after the game that this is the group that got this program over the hump," said McAnelly. "We've … [Read more...] about HAWKETTE HEARTBREAK: Davison’s buzzer-beater ends Ankeny’s season

SURVIVE AND ADVANCE: Hawkettes nip Waukee, will play Riders for state berth

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It's been a magical season for the Ankeny girls' basketball team. The Hawkettes didn't want it to end on Saturday night. Tenth-ranked Ankeny scored the last five points of the game to beat visiting Waukee, 44-40, in a Class 5A regional semifinal. The Hawkettes avenged a 53-45 loss at Waukee on Jan. 18. "We definitely had a lot of motivation coming … [Read more...] about SURVIVE AND ADVANCE: Hawkettes nip Waukee, will play Riders for state berth

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

‘They’re in a different league’: Dragons roll past Ankeny despite Jacks’ 21 points

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The Class 5A regional girls' basketball pairings are expected to be announced in the next couple of days. Ankeny coach Dru McAnelly is probably hoping not to see top-ranked Johnston in the Hawkettes' bracket. The host Dragons improved their record to 19-0 with a 79-49 victory over No. 12 Ankeny in a non-conference game on Monday. Only one opponent, No. … [Read more...] about ‘They’re in a different league’: Dragons roll past Ankeny despite Jacks’ 21 points

Hawkettes earn shot to play for league crown with victory over Mason City

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There was a lot at stake when the Ankeny girls' basketball team played at Ankeny Centennial last month. Now, Friday's rematch at Ankeny will carry even more importance. The 12th-ranked Hawkettes kept their CIML Iowa Conference title hopes alive with a 61-40 victory over visiting Mason City on Friday. They can earn a share of the crown by defeating No. … [Read more...] about Hawkettes earn shot to play for league crown with victory over Mason City

Hawkettes rally for dramatic victory, keep their Iowa Conference title hopes alive

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The Ankeny girls' basketball team's bid to win the CIML Iowa Conference title was hanging by a thread on Tuesday at Fort Dodge. Trailing by 58-51 late in the fourth quarter, the 10th-ranked Hawkettes appeared to be dangerously close to falling out of championship contention. But Ankeny then rallied for 10 consecutive points down the stretch, posting a … [Read more...] about Hawkettes rally for dramatic victory, keep their Iowa Conference title hopes alive

Ankeny girls romp past Little Cyclones, get their swagger and confidence back

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Monday's game against visiting Ames gave the Ankeny girls' basketball team a chance to reset mentally. Coming off its worst loss of the season, the 10th-ranked Hawkettes placed four players in double figures and rolled to a 77-19 victory in a CIML Iowa Conference contest. "We just kind of needed to recharge the battery and clear the mindset," said … [Read more...] about Ankeny girls romp past Little Cyclones, get their swagger and confidence back

‘Sometimes it’s just one of those nights’: Hawkettes suffer worst loss of season

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It's been a season of memorable moments for the Ankeny girls' basketball team. Friday's game at Waukee Northwest will be a forgettable one. The 10th-ranked Hawkettes got off to a slow start and never really recovered in a 63-25 loss to No. 12 Northwest, which avenged an earlier 44-41 defeat at Ankeny. It was by far the worst loss of the season for … [Read more...] about ‘Sometimes it’s just one of those nights’: Hawkettes suffer worst loss of season

‘It’s just a huge win in so many ways’: Hawkettes’ late rally stuns No. 5 Dowling

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The last two Tuesday nights ended in disappointment for the Ankeny girls' basketball team. The 12th-ranked Hawkettes experienced a much better feeling this time. Ankeny dominated the fourth quarter to rally for a 35-29 victory over No. 5 Dowling Catholic in a non-conference game on Tuesday at the AHS gym. The Hawkettes erased a 28-21 deficit with a … [Read more...] about ‘It’s just a huge win in so many ways’: Hawkettes’ late rally stuns No. 5 Dowling

‘We played much better defense’: Ankeny girls rout Marshalltown to end skid

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After giving up more than 50 points in back-to-back losses to Ankeny Centennial and Waukee, the Ankeny girls' basketball team focused on its defensive intensity during the practices before Friday's game at Marshalltown. The 12th-ranked Hawkettes responded with a 49-15 road victory that allowed them to keep pace with No. 4 Centennial in the CIML Iowa … [Read more...] about ‘We played much better defense’: Ankeny girls rout Marshalltown to end skid

‘We didn’t bring it’: Hawkettes struggle at both ends in 53-45 loss at Waukee

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When the Ankeny girls' basketball team struggles on defense, it can often lead to some poor offensive possessions. That's what happened on Tuesday as the 10th-ranked Hawkettes suffered a 53-45 loss at Waukee in a non-conference game. While the Warriors connected on 8-of-21 3-point attempts (38.1 percent), Ankeny could not find its shooting stroke from … [Read more...] about ‘We didn’t bring it’: Hawkettes struggle at both ends in 53-45 loss at Waukee

CENTENNIAL REIGN: Jags’ dominance over rival continues with 57-37 victory

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Cleao Murray and her teammates on the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball squad have never lost to crosstown rival Ankeny. They'd like to keep it that way. Murray scored 16 points and the seventh-ranked Jaguars defeated No. 8 Ankeny, 57-37, in a CIML Iowa Conference showdown on Tuesday at Centennial. The win allowed Centennial to pull into a … [Read more...] about CENTENNIAL REIGN: Jags’ dominance over rival continues with 57-37 victory

Hawkettes extend winning streak to 5 heading into showdown at Centennial

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A 31-point first quarter ignited the Ankeny girls' basketball team to a 69-15 victory at Des Moines East in a non-conference game on Saturday. The eighth-ranked Hawkettes jumped out to a 31-5 lead and extended the margin to 41-10 at halftime. They cruised to their fifth consecutive win, improving to 9-2 on the season. "The girls came out focused and … [Read more...] about Hawkettes extend winning streak to 5 heading into showdown at Centennial

Hawkettes build big lead, then hold off Mason City for 4th straight victory

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The Ankeny girls' basketball team has found a winning formula. The eighth-ranked Hawkettes again relied on some balanced scoring and a strong defensive effort to post a 47-42 victory at Mason City on Friday. It marked the fourth straight game and the seventh time in the last eight contests that Ankeny finished with three scorers in double … [Read more...] about Hawkettes build big lead, then hold off Mason City for 4th straight victory