Ankeny Fanatic

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Dru McAnelly

Balanced scoring helps Hawkettes to easy victory over North

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For the second time in two nights, the Ankeny girls' basketball team had a balanced scoring attack, putting three players in double figures. This time, it resulted in a win. The Hawkettes bounced back from Monday's loss at Mason City with a 63-24 victory over visiting Des Moines North on Tuesday. They raised their record to 2-1 on the season. "The … [Read more...] about Balanced scoring helps Hawkettes to easy victory over North

Hawkettes hold off No. 13 D.M. East in season opener, 45-38

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Dru McAnelly wiped the sweat off his brow after watching his Ankeny girls' basketball team open the season with a hard-fought victory. The Hawkettes took the lead for good with a 14-2 run in the second half and then held off 13th-ranked Des Moines East, 45-38, in a CIML non-conference game on Tuesday at Ankeny. "East is an extremely long, athletic, … [Read more...] about Hawkettes hold off No. 13 D.M. East in season opener, 45-38

McCullough, Hawkettes look to build on last year’s success

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The Ankeny girls' basketball team advanced to a Class 5A regional final last year for the first time since the split into two high schools. The Hawkettes also reached double digits in victories for the first time, finishing with an 11-12 record in their second season under coach Dru McAnelly. Now, McAnelly's goal is to take the program to even greater … [Read more...] about McCullough, Hawkettes look to build on last year’s success

McAnelly tells Hawkettes, ‘Don’t you dare put your heads down’ after season-ending loss

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The Dowling Catholic girls' basketball team entered Tuesday's Class 5A regional final against visiting Ankeny as a prohibitive favorite. That didn't make the Hawkettes' season-ending loss any easier to swallow. The third-ranked Maroons got 30 points from sophomore sensation Caitlin Clark and pulled away in the second half for a 68-41 victory to advance … [Read more...] about McAnelly tells Hawkettes, ‘Don’t you dare put your heads down’ after season-ending loss

Valley’s Young, Dowling’s Clark to provide huge tests for Jaguars, Hawkettes

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In order to reach the state tournament, the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball teams will both have to figure out a way to slow down one of the nation's top players. The fifth-ranked Jaguars (19-3) will host No. 12 Valley (12-10) in a Class 5A regional final on Tuesday at 7 p.m. It will be a matchup of the last two state champions--Centennial … [Read more...] about Valley’s Young, Dowling’s Clark to provide huge tests for Jaguars, Hawkettes

Hawkettes celebrate tournament victory by doing the Hokey Pokey

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Apparently, there is a second girls' basketball coach in Ankeny who likes to celebrate big victories by doing the Hokey Pokey. Scott DeJong started the tradition during his long run at Ankeny High School, where he guided the Hawkettes to six state championships. He then continued the ritual when he moved across town to Ankeny Centennial, where he led the … [Read more...] about Hawkettes celebrate tournament victory by doing the Hokey Pokey

Young leads the way as Valley girls avenge loss to Hawkettes

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Valley's Zoe Young showed again on Friday why she's considered one of the nation's top girls' basketball players in the Class of 2019. Young, a Maryland recruit, made a trio of 3-point goals and scored 19 points to lead the 12th-ranked Tigers to a 68-58 victory over No. 15 Ankeny at Valley. The junior guard also had eight rebounds, three assists, two … [Read more...] about Young leads the way as Valley girls avenge loss to Hawkettes

Hawkettes rout Roosevelt for their 10th win of the season

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Dru McAnelly checked off another box Tuesday following the latest victory by his Ankeny girls' basketball team. The 15th-ranked Hawkettes rolled to a 69-30 win at Des Moines Roosevelt in a CIML non-conference game, allowing them to even their record at 10-10. "We've been calling it a season of firsts, starting with getting rated and getting our first … [Read more...] about Hawkettes rout Roosevelt for their 10th win of the season

No. 6 Waukee girls roll past Hawkettes, keep pace with Centennial

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The Ankeny girls' basketball team didn't have an answer for Waukee's diverse offensive attack on Friday. The sixth-ranked Warriors relied on their superior size to score numerous baskets in the paint, but they also connected for nine 3-point goals en route to a 66-44 victory at No. 15 Ankeny. "They're who they are for a reason--they're very good," … [Read more...] about No. 6 Waukee girls roll past Hawkettes, keep pace with Centennial

Jaguars, Hawkettes to host regional semifinals on Feb. 17

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The Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team won't even have to leave its own gym in order to qualify for the Class 5A state tournament at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines. The fifth-ranked Jaguars earned a No. 1 seed in Region 5 after posting a 50-42 overtime victory against Des Moines East on Tuesday at Centennial. They raised their record to 15-3 on the … [Read more...] about Jaguars, Hawkettes to host regional semifinals on Feb. 17

Hawkettes get back to .500 mark with win over Fort Dodge

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  For much of the first half on Tuesday, the Ankeny girls' basketball team let visiting Fort Dodge dictate the pace of the game. "They play a defense that is just kind of helter skelter," Ankeny coach Dru McAnelly said of the Dodgers, "and we were playing right into the hands of it. We were a little robotic, and they were kind of eating us up … [Read more...] about Hawkettes get back to .500 mark with win over Fort Dodge

Centennial girls dominate second half, pull away from Hawkettes

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The Ankeny girls' basketball team used a strong defensive effort to build a 16-13 halftime lead at Ankeny Centennial on Friday. In the second half, the Jaguars' defense was even better. Seventh-ranked Centennial held the No. 15 Hawkettes to just five points in the final two quarters while pulling away for a 39-21 victory. The Jaguars improved their … [Read more...] about Centennial girls dominate second half, pull away from Hawkettes

Ankeny teams enter Friday’s rematch at Centennial with plenty of confidence

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If Friday's basketball doubleheader at Ankeny Centennial is as entertaining as last month's rivalry games at Ankeny, then fans of the Hawks and Jaguars will be in for a treat. Both the girls' and boys' games came down to the last possession on Dec. 21, when Centennial posted a pair of narrow wins. The Jaguars escaped with a 43-41 victory in the opener as … [Read more...] about Ankeny teams enter Friday’s rematch at Centennial with plenty of confidence

Hawkettes focus on themselves, respond with ‘satisfying’ victory at East

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The Ankeny girls' basketball team didn't spend much time preparing for Tuesday's opponent. Ankeny coach Dru McAnelly wanted his players to focus on themselves after losing five of their previous six games. It paid off with a 67-58 victory at Des Moines East in a CIML non-conference game. "I actually spent the least amount of time on our opponent … [Read more...] about Hawkettes focus on themselves, respond with ‘satisfying’ victory at East

Mason City girls use big third quarter to beat Hawkettes

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Two girls' basketball teams in search of a consistent second scorer collided on Tuesday at Ankeny High School. Visiting Mason City may have found one in Anna Deets, who made four 3-point goals and scored 19 points to help the Mohawks to a 65-56 victory in a CIML non-conference game. Deets provided plenty of support for teammate Megan Meyer, who matched … [Read more...] about Mason City girls use big third quarter to beat Hawkettes

Hawkettes overcome 12-point deficit, beat defending 5A state champs

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  A couple of unlikely heroes emerged on Friday for the Ankeny girls' basketball team. Reserves Reilly and Abby Johnson combined for eight points in the second quarter to spark the Hawkettes to a come-from-behind 59-53 victory over visiting Valley, the defending state champion and the No. 12 team in Class 5A. Ankeny trailed, 19-7, before … [Read more...] about Hawkettes overcome 12-point deficit, beat defending 5A state champs

McCullough’s big night not enough for Hawkettes in loss to Waukee

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When Sara McCullough made her first 3-point shot on Friday, she knew it was going to be a good night. "Oh my gosh, my shot was on," McCullough said. "I don't know what was going through my head. I wasn't really thinking. I just kind of played." McCullough went on to score a career-high 27 points, including five 3-pointers, but it wasn't enough as the … [Read more...] about McCullough’s big night not enough for Hawkettes in loss to Waukee