Dru McAnelly is a big fan of the Iowa Hawkeyes, who defeated Rutgers on Saturday on a miracle 3-pointer at the buzzer. About 30 minutes before Joe Weiskamp banked in the game-winner for the Hawkeyes from the corner, McAnelly's Ankeny girls' basketball team was in a similar position, down two points with the ball in the final seconds. However, the … [Read more...] about McCullough scores 1,000th career point in Hawkettes’ season-ending loss to East
Dru McAnelly
Johnston girls top Hawkettes, are ‘No. 1 in the state for a reason’
The Ankeny girls' basketball team nearly upset Johnston on Dec. 21, building a 13-point halftime lead before dropping a 66-64 decision to the host Dragons. On Friday, third-ranked Johnston was ready for the rematch right from the opening tip. The Dragons jumped out to an early 15-7 lead and went on to post a 65-50 victory at Ankeny in the … [Read more...] about Johnston girls top Hawkettes, are ‘No. 1 in the state for a reason’
Johnson provides ‘extra punch on offense’, leads Hawkettes past Hoover
The return of Abby Johnson could make the Ankeny girls' basketball team a dangerous opponent in postseason play. Johnson scored 17 points on Tuesday in her second game back from a foot injury as the Hawkettes rolled to a 58-26 victory over visiting Des Moines Hoover. "I feel like I'm getting stronger and more confident with each game I play," said … [Read more...] about Johnson provides ‘extra punch on offense’, leads Hawkettes past Hoover
Hawkettes outlast Clark, Dowling to earn their biggest victory under McAnelly
It's been a season full of adversity for the Ankeny girls' basketball team. Friday's thrilling victory over 11th-ranked Dowling Catholic may have been a turning point for the Hawkettes. Ankeny rallied from a 15-point deficit on its home court to post a 64-61 win over the Maroons, overcoming a 47-point performance by Dowling's Caitlin Clark. "There … [Read more...] about Hawkettes outlast Clark, Dowling to earn their biggest victory under McAnelly
Girls’ pairings announced: Hawkettes, Jaguars to host 5A regional semifinals
The Class 5A regional basketball pairings have been announced by the Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union. Ankeny has been placed in Region 2, while Ankeny Centennial has been placed in Region 8. The Hawkettes (7-10) are seeded second in their bracket. They will host a semifinal game against Des Moines East (9-7) or Des Moines North (2-14) on Feb. 16 at … [Read more...] about Girls’ pairings announced: Hawkettes, Jaguars to host 5A regional semifinals
Hawkettes hold off Roosevelt’s rally for much-needed win
Ankeny girls' basketball coach Dru McAnelly breathed a sigh of relief following Monday's game against visiting Des Moines Roosevelt. The Hawkettes built a 16-point lead in the first half before holding on down the stretch for a 56-52 victory. It was just their second win in the last nine games since sophomore forward Abby Johnson suffered a deep bone … [Read more...] about Hawkettes hold off Roosevelt’s rally for much-needed win
Hawkettes rally behind Christmann, but Ames holds on for 47-45 victory
Perhaps one of these days the Ankeny girls' basketball team will be back to full strength. Until then, however, the Hawkettes could have more nights like Friday, when they battled 14th-ranked Ames down to the wire before dropping a 47-45 decision at Ankeny. "It's kind of been the story of our year," Ankeny coach Dru McAnelly said of his team's various … [Read more...] about Hawkettes rally behind Christmann, but Ames holds on for 47-45 victory
Surging Urbandale girls avenge earlier loss to continue Hawkettes’ slide
When the Ankeny girls' basketball team hosted Urbandale on Thursday, it was a matchup between two teams whose fortunes have been reversed since the last time they met on Dec. 14. Ankeny posted a 46-40 triumph at Urbandale last month, but suffered a huge blow in that game when sophomore forward Abby Johnson suffered a deep bone bruise in her foot with … [Read more...] about Surging Urbandale girls avenge earlier loss to continue Hawkettes’ slide
McAnelly: Hawkettes ‘learn valuable lesson’ in 71-43 loss to No. 4 Valley
The Ankeny girls' basketball team ran into a buzzsaw on Tuesday at Valley. The fourth-ranked Tigers raced out to a 31-7 lead in the first half and cruised to a 71-43 victory over No. 15 Ankeny. The Hawkettes lost for the seventh time in their last nine games, dropping to 6-8 on the season. "It was kind of Southeast Polk all over again," said Ankeny … [Read more...] about McAnelly: Hawkettes ‘learn valuable lesson’ in 71-43 loss to No. 4 Valley
Keahna-Harris emerges as major force in Jaguars’ victory over Ankeny
In her first two seasons on the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team, forward Alexandria Keahna-Harris served as a role player for the Jaguars. Now, the 5-foot-10 junior is becoming a major force for coach Scott DeJong's squad. On Friday, Keahna-Harris scored a game-high 12 points and also grabbed six rebounds to lead the 12th-ranked Jaguars to a … [Read more...] about Keahna-Harris emerges as major force in Jaguars’ victory over Ankeny
Harrington, Kueker ignite Hawkettes past Ottumwa at Wells Fargo Arena
Ankeny's Ashley Harrington and Jaelynn Kueker are used to fighting for 50/50 balls on the soccer field. The duo can also make those winning plays on the basketball court. Harrington and Kueker came up with several loose balls and combined for 22 points Tuesday to help the Ankeny girls' basketball team to a 53-36 victory over Ottumwa at Wells Fargo … [Read more...] about Harrington, Kueker ignite Hawkettes past Ottumwa at Wells Fargo Arena
Clark scores 33, leads Dowling girls to win over Hawkettes
Another strong effort by the Ankeny girls' basketball team came up short on Friday as the Hawkettes dropped a 57-48 decision at ninth-ranked Dowling Catholic. It was Ankeny's third consecutive loss, all of them on the road, since sophomore forward Abby Johnson suffered a deep bone bruise in her foot during the Hawkettes' victory at Urbandale on Dec. 14. … [Read more...] about Clark scores 33, leads Dowling girls to win over Hawkettes
Deep bone bruise will sideline Ankeny’s Johnson for another month
The Ankeny girls' basketball team will likely be without its second-leading scorer and rebounder for another month. An MRI on Thursday revealed that sophomore forward Abby Johnson suffered a deep bone bruise in her foot during the Hawkettes' 46-40 victory at Urbandale on Dec. 14. "She'll be in a walking boot for two weeks and will then have at least … [Read more...] about Deep bone bruise will sideline Ankeny’s Johnson for another month
Hawkettes lead most of the way before falling at No. 2 Johnston
The Ankeny girls' basketball team nearly pulled off a monumental upset on Friday. Instead, the Hawkettes had to settle for a moral victory. "I couldn't be more proud of a group of girls," Ankeny coach Dru McAnelly said after his team led most of the way before dropping a 66-64 decision at second-ranked Johnston. "Coming in to play the No. 2 team in the … [Read more...] about Hawkettes lead most of the way before falling at No. 2 Johnston
Short-handed Hawkettes fall to Ames without Johnson, McCullough
The odds were against the Ankeny girls' basketball team before Tuesday's game at 14th-ranked Ames even tipped off. The Hawkettes took the court without their top two scorers and rebounders, Sara McCullough and Abby Johnson. McCullough was out with an illness, while Johnson tore some tendons on the top of her foot during Friday's game at Urbandale and will … [Read more...] about Short-handed Hawkettes fall to Ames without Johnson, McCullough
Hawkettes snap two-game skid with hard-fought victory at Urbandale
Ankeny's Kayla Pitz stood at the charity stripe and ignored the chants from the rowdy Urbandale student section. The junior guard made four consecutive free throws in the final 40 seconds to seal the Hawkettes' 46-40 victory in a CIML Central Conference girls' basketball game on Friday. She went 7-of-8 from the line and had nine of her 11 points in the … [Read more...] about Hawkettes snap two-game skid with hard-fought victory at Urbandale
Dynamic duo leads No. 8 S.E. Polk girls past Hawkettes
When it comes to potent girls' basketball duos, there might not be a better 1-2 punch in the state than Southeast Polk's Grace Larkins and Maggie McGraw. The two standouts combined for 55 points Tuesday to lead the eighth-ranked Rams to a 71-47 victory over No. 13 Ankeny at Southeast Polk. "We came out a little flat, and those two girls got going early … [Read more...] about Dynamic duo leads No. 8 S.E. Polk girls past Hawkettes
Jaguars overcome slow start, pull away from Ankeny in 2nd half
Ankeny Centennial's Rachel Schon has yet to lose a game to Ankeny during her high school basketball career. She'd like to keep it that way. Schon scored 16 of her 18 points in the second half as the 10th-ranked Jaguars pulled away on Friday for a 49-27 victory at No. 13 Ankeny. The Jaguars improved to 11-0 all-time in the series. "It's so fun … [Read more...] about Jaguars overcome slow start, pull away from Ankeny in 2nd half
McCullough racks up 21 points, 17 rebounds in Hawkettes’ victory
The Des Moines Lincoln girls' basketball team didn't have an answer for Ankeny's Sara McCullough. McCullough recorded a double-double by halftime of Tuesday's game at Ankeny, racking up 13 points and 10 rebounds. The Northern Iowa recruit finished with 21 points and 17 rebounds as the Hawkettes rolled to a 74-39 victory. "Sara got going early," said … [Read more...] about McCullough racks up 21 points, 17 rebounds in Hawkettes’ victory
Hawkettes blow past Fort Dodge, improve their record to 3-1
The Ankeny girls' basketball team had started slowly in each of its first three games of the season. The Hawkettes didn't have another slow start on Friday. Ankeny jumped out to a 9-0 lead right away, later scored 22 consecutive points before halftime, and rolled to a 66-28 victory at Fort Dodge. The Hawkettes improved their record to 3-1 on the … [Read more...] about Hawkettes blow past Fort Dodge, improve their record to 3-1