Dru McAnelly

A four-game stretch over the next six days--all of them against ranked opponents--will severely challenge the Ankeny girls' basketball team. There won't be much time for the 13th-ranked Hawkettes to celebrate a huge win--or to hang their heads following a tough loss. That's why Ankeny coach Dru McAnelly said his team would quickly move on from … [Read more...] about Hawkettes begin difficult four-game stretch with 69-50 loss at No. 9 Dowling

The Ankeny girls' basketball team moved into sole possession of second place in the CIML Iowa Conference on Friday. The 13th-ranked Hawkettes posted a 66-40 victory at Fort Dodge. That win, coupled with Ames' 71-53 loss to Mason City, allowed Ankeny to break a second-place tie with the Little Cyclones. However, Ames will host the Hawkettes on Saturday. … [Read more...] about Hawkettes cruise past Fort Dodge, move into sole possession of 2nd place

It would have been easy for the Ankeny girls' basketball team to overlook visiting Mason City on Tuesday. The Mohawks lost their first eight games of the season, including a 71-47 decision to Ankeny on Dec. 11. But Mason City had been playing much better of late, scoring 69 points in a loss to sixth-ranked Cedar Falls on Dec. 19. And the Mohawks … [Read more...] about Hawkettes shut down Mason City, will play Ames next in battle for 2nd place

After a couple of losses against top-five teams, the Ankeny girls' basketball squad got a breather on Friday night. The Hawkettes scored the first 21 points of the game and went on to defeat visiting Marshalltown, 56-17, in a CIML Iowa Conference contest. It was the fewest points allowed by Ankeny since the 2017-18 season, when the Hawkettes posted a … [Read more...] about Struggling Bobcats provide breather for Ankeny girls after back-to-back losses

The Ankeny girls' basketball team remained unbeaten with a 74-44 victory over visiting Fort Dodge on Friday. The Hawkettes jumped out to a 23-10 lead at the end of the first quarter. They extended the margin to 45-24 at halftime. "I thought we ran in transition very well and did an extremely good job at making the extra pass," said Ankeny coach Dru … [Read more...] about Hawkettes remain unbeaten, gear up for Monday’s showdown at No. 3 Waukee

Overcoming a slow start, the Ankeny girls' basketball team battled back for a 54-50 victory at Pella on Tuesday. The Hawkettes fell behind after the first quarter, 16-9. They rallied to take a 29-26 halftime lead, then held off the Little Dutch down the stretch in the non-conference game. "It was kind of an ugly, hard-fought win," said Ankeny coach Dru … [Read more...] about Hawkettes battle back from early deficit to post 54-50 victory at Pella

The Ankeny girls' basketball team got double-digit scoring from four different players and opened its season with a 71-47 victory at Mason City on Friday. Ankeny coach Dru McAnelly often stresses the importance of having three players score in double figures. Four is even better. "I think our winning percentage is definitely way higher when we have … [Read more...] about Hawkettes overcome ‘tricky situation’, romp past Mason City in opener

Ankeny senior Abby Johnson has been waiting nearly two years to get back on the basketball court. Now, she'll have to wait a little longer. Johnson, who missed her entire junior season due to a knee injury, is now fully healthy. But she and her teammates are currently unable to practice while the Ankeny school district has moved to virtual … [Read more...] about Healthy Hawkettes welcome Johnson back along with 3 other starters

The Ankeny girls' basketball players would like nothing more than another chance to play third-ranked Johnston. The two teams can only meet again in a Class 5A regional final on Feb. 25. But if it happens, that means Ankeny has defeated Des Moines North and No. 14 Council Bluffs Lincoln in the first two rounds of the postseason. Johnston showed on … [Read more...] about Hawkettes fall to Johnston in finale, but could get rematch in regional final

Once the shots started falling for the Ankeny girls' basketball team on Tuesday, they just kept dropping. The Hawkettes made 15 3-point goals and rolled to a 78-46 victory at Des Moines Hoover in a non-conference game. It was their highest offensive output of the season and their highest in four years under coach Dru McAnelly. "Hoover isn't very good, … [Read more...] about Hawkettes make 15 3-point goals, score season-high 78 points at Hoover