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Dru McAnelly

‘It was just a matter of time’: Hawkettes stifle Ames for first conference victory

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Ashley Harrington knew that the Ankeny girls' basketball team was going to win its first conference game. She just didn't know when. Friday turned out to be the night as Harrington scored 16 points to lead the Hawkettes to a 60-49 victory at Ames. They improved to 1-7 in the CIML Central Conference and 7-10 overall, while Ames' records fell to 3-5 and … [Read more...] about ‘It was just a matter of time’: Hawkettes stifle Ames for first conference victory

Ankeny girls snap five-game losing streak with victory at Roosevelt

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The reward finally came for the Ankeny girls' basketball team. After suffering back-to-back losses to a pair of ranked opponents by a combined five points, the Hawkettes earned a close win of their own on Tuesday with a 48-45 victory at Des Moines Roosevelt in a non-conference game. They improved their record to 6-10 while snapping a five-game losing … [Read more...] about Ankeny girls snap five-game losing streak with victory at Roosevelt

Hawkettes lose another heartbreaker, fall to No. 9 Urbandale in OT

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Ankeny girls' basketball coach Dru McAnelly isn't fond of moral victories. But that's exactly what his short-handed squad came away with on Friday. The Hawkettes battled ninth-ranked Urbandale into overtime before dropping a 59-57 decision at Ankeny. It was another strong effort by McAnelly's team that wasn't rewarded with a win. "That's a top-10 … [Read more...] about Hawkettes lose another heartbreaker, fall to No. 9 Urbandale in OT

Hawkettes pass ‘test of character’, but Valley girls escape with victory

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After losing to its crosstown rival on Monday, the Ankeny girls' basketball team was anxious to get back on the court. The Hawkettes didn't have to wait too long. Ankeny hosted 15th-ranked Valley on Tuesday and battled the Class 5A defending state champion down to the wire before dropping a 62-59 decision. "It was good to try to get back in the … [Read more...] about Hawkettes pass ‘test of character’, but Valley girls escape with victory

Burns leads the way at both ends as Centennial girls roll past Hawkettes

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The Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team sometimes struggles to score. But the Jaguars' defense never seems to take a day off. On Monday, 10th-ranked Centennial excelled at both ends of the floor as the Jaguars cruised to a 57-29 victory over visiting Ankeny. "We had some possessions where we really locked into them well," said Centennial coach … [Read more...] about Burns leads the way at both ends as Centennial girls roll past Hawkettes

Hawkettes respond to coach’s challenge, but rally falls short at No. 2 Johnston

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Ankeny girls' basketball coach Dru McAnelly issued a challenge to his players on Thursday. The Hawkettes responded in a big way. After trailing by 36-18 at halftime, Ankeny pulled within five points of second-ranked Johnston with about 5 minutes left to play before the host Dragons held on for a 70-60 victory. The outcome was a big improvement for … [Read more...] about Hawkettes respond to coach’s challenge, but rally falls short at No. 2 Johnston

‘We’ve just got to flush it’: Hawkettes suffer their worst loss under McAnelly

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It was just one of those nights for the Ankeny girls' basketball team. The Hawkettes fell into a 26-4 hole at the end of the first quarter during Tuesday's game at fourth-ranked Dowling Catholic. They never recovered after that and eventually dropped a 77-27 decision. It was Ankeny's worst loss under coach Dru McAnelly and was the Hawkettes' worst … [Read more...] about ‘We’ve just got to flush it’: Hawkettes suffer their worst loss under McAnelly

Hawkettes use 19-0 run to beat Ottumwa, snap 4-game losing skid

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A 19-0 run in the second quarter helped the Ankeny girls' basketball team snap a four-game losing skid on Tuesday. The Hawkettes built a 37-19 halftime advantage at Ottumwa and went on to post a 62-45 victory over the Bulldogs in a non-conference game. "I thought we could press and really bother them and then fall back," said Ankeny coach Dru … [Read more...] about Hawkettes use 19-0 run to beat Ottumwa, snap 4-game losing skid

Hawkettes lose Trimble for the season, tumble to Ames after slow start

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The Ankeny girls' basketball team suffered its fourth consecutive loss on Friday. Off the court, the Hawkettes were also dealt a major blow. Senior forward Holly Trimble, who was averaging 4.0 points and 3.5 rebounds per game, has been ruled out for the season. She has been battling a rare bone growth disorder and will have surgery on Jan. … [Read more...] about Hawkettes lose Trimble for the season, tumble to Ames after slow start

Hot-shooting Urbandale girls hand Hawkettes their 3rd straight loss

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The Ankeny girls' basketball team tried to counter Urbandale's superior size with a zone defense. The ninth-ranked J-Hawks spoiled the strategy with some deadly outside shooting. Urbandale made nine 3-point goals and defeated the visiting Hawkettes, 65-50, in a CIML Central Conference game on Friday. Jada Gyamfi and Faith Putz each had a trio of … [Read more...] about Hot-shooting Urbandale girls hand Hawkettes their 3rd straight loss

‘Fearless’ Hawkettes battle back, but fall short against No. 2 S.E. Polk

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The Ankeny girls' basketball team took a step forward Tuesday night despite suffering a 74-61 loss to visiting Southeast Polk. The second-ranked Rams shot 61.3 percent from the field, including 11-of-19 from 3-point range, while raising their record to 7-0. But Ankeny coach Dru McAnelly was not unhappy with his team's defensive effort. "I actually … [Read more...] about ‘Fearless’ Hawkettes battle back, but fall short against No. 2 S.E. Polk

Clark, Gaber lead No. 3 Dowling girls past Hawkettes in conference opener

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Ankeny girls' basketball coach Dru McAnelly wasn't worried about stopping Dowling Catholic star Caitlin Clark heading into Friday's CIML Central Conference opener. It was fellow senior Grace Gaber who concerned McAnelly the most. "Going into the game, obviously Caitlin is going to get her (points). That's just a given," McAnelly said of Clark, the Iowa … [Read more...] about Clark, Gaber lead No. 3 Dowling girls past Hawkettes in conference opener

Hawkettes extend winning streak, will host showdown against Dowling next

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The Ankeny girls' basketball team will take a four-game winning streak into its CIML Central Conference opener on Friday. The Hawkettes rolled to a 54-18 victory at Des Moines Lincoln on Tuesday to raise their record to 4-1. The Railsplitters dropped to 0-3. "It was a nice team win," said Ankeny coach Dru McAnelly. "Once again, we shared the ball very … [Read more...] about Hawkettes extend winning streak, will host showdown against Dowling next

Hawkettes record 15 steals, romp past East for 3rd straight victory

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There wasn't much of a buzz in the Des Moines East gym on Monday night. A sparse crowd forced the Ankeny girls' basketball team to create its own excitement. The Hawkettes jumped out to a 21-7 lead in the first quarter and rolled to a 59-28 victory over East in a CIML make-up game. "I told the girls before the game that there was no boys' game, and … [Read more...] about Hawkettes record 15 steals, romp past East for 3rd straight victory

‘A breath of fresh air’: Trimble returns to lineup, helps Hawkettes to 57-36 win

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Holly Trimble stepped on the basketball court Friday for the first time this season. The senior forward is hoping to stay there. Trimble scored eight points in her season debut to help the Ankeny girls' squad to a 57-36 victory over visiting Fort Dodge. She sat out the first two games while battling a rare bone growth disorder. "I just started my … [Read more...] about ‘A breath of fresh air’: Trimble returns to lineup, helps Hawkettes to 57-36 win

Pitz scores career-high 19 points in Hawkettes’ victory over North

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Like a lot of teams, the Ankeny girls' basketball squad showed a lot of improvement between its first and second games. The Hawkettes dominated from the start and rolled to a 52-32 victory at Des Moines North on Tuesday, evening their record at 1-1. The Polar Bears dropped to 0-3. "We had great energy from the opening tip tonight," said Ankeny coach … [Read more...] about Pitz scores career-high 19 points in Hawkettes’ victory over North

Blimpie Sub of the Week: Calyssa Wright, Ankeny girls’ basketball

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Junior forward Calyssa Wright is a member of the Ankeny girls' basketball team. She played in seven games last year as a sophomore, but is expected to play a major role this season for the Hawkettes. Wright scored eight points and grabbed six rebounds in Ankeny's season-opening 83-61 loss to visiting Mason City on Nov. 22. She then had seven points on … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Calyssa Wright, Ankeny girls’ basketball

Deets pours in 39 points, leads Mason City girls past Ankeny in season opener

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Both the Ankeny and Mason City girls' basketball teams entered Friday's season opener with some question marks. The Mohawks, who are 13th in Class 4A in the preseason rankings, appear to have found some answers. Anna Deets made six of her team's 11 3-point goals and poured in 39 points to lead Mason City to an 83-61 victory at Ankeny. The senior guard … [Read more...] about Deets pours in 39 points, leads Mason City girls past Ankeny in season opener

Ankeny girls look for up-tempo attack to overcome lack of height

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When the Ankeny girls' basketball team opens the season on Friday against visiting Mason City, the Hawkettes will try to make up for their lack of height with an up-tempo attack. Ankeny will no longer be able to rely on all-state forward Sara McCullough, who is now playing for Northern Iowa. The Hawkettes will also be without junior forward Abby Johnson … [Read more...] about Ankeny girls look for up-tempo attack to overcome lack of height