Ankeny basketball star Rio Aguirre didn't want his high school career to come to an end just yet. But neither did the seniors on a potent Waukee Northwest boys' squad. The third-ranked Wolves overcame a career-high 41 points from Aguirre to defeat visiting Ankeny, 82-64, in a Class 4A substate final on Tuesday. "I'm definitely super proud of our … [Read more...] about ‘We just didn’t have enough’: Hawks get 41 points from Aguirre in loss to No. 3 Wolves
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Winkel named to NSIC all-tourney team after leading Huskies to runner-up finish
Former Ankeny Centennial basketball star Luke Winkel was named to the NSIC all-tournament team after leading regular-season champion St. Cloud State to a runner-up finish in the conference tournament. The 19th-ranked Huskies dropped a 76-65 decision to sixth-seeded Minnesota Duluth in the NSIC championship game on Tuesday at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux … [Read more...] about Winkel named to NSIC all-tourney team after leading Huskies to runner-up finish
Denver’s Johnson named Summit League Player of the Year, Newcomer of the Year
Former Ankeny basketball star Carson Johnson has been named the Summit League Men's Basketball Player of the Year, the league office announced on Tuesday in a vote of the league's coaches, media members and sports information directors. The University of Denver sophomore guard was also named the league's Newcomer of the Year and to the all-Summit … [Read more...] about Denver’s Johnson named Summit League Player of the Year, Newcomer of the Year
Ankeny girls surge past Warriors behind barrage of 3s from Baldwin, Schaapveld
The Ankeny girls' basketball team relied heavily on all-state guard Jayla Williams to reach the state tournament for the first time since 2013. But on a day when Williams became the program's all-time leading scorer, it was the squad's supporting cast who led a second-half charge that lifted the sixth-ranked Hawkettes into the Class 5A semifinals at the … [Read more...] about Ankeny girls surge past Warriors behind barrage of 3s from Baldwin, Schaapveld
No. 1 Johnston pulls away after slow start, ends Jags’ season for 3rd time in 4 years
When the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team got a 3-point goal from Faith Perpich to cut Johnston's lead to 17-12 with 3 minutes left in the second quarter of a Class 5A quarterfinal on Monday, the 12th-ranked Jaguars had reason to believe that they might be able to pull off the biggest upset in the history of the state tournament. "It felt really … [Read more...] about No. 1 Johnston pulls away after slow start, ends Jags’ season for 3rd time in 4 years
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Jayla Williams, Ankeny girls’ basketball
Senior guard Jayla Williams has led the sixth-ranked Ankeny girls' basketball team to a 15-8 record. The Creighton recruit ranks among the leaders in Class 5A in scoring (21.1 points), steals (3.5) and field goals made (8.1) per game. Williams scored 23 points on 9-of-17 shooting, grabbed seven rebounds and dished out six assists as Ankeny rolled to a … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Jayla Williams, Ankeny girls’ basketball
‘They fought all the way until the end’: Jags fall at Urbandale, finish year at 9-14
(Story by Stephen McDaniel) The first season of the Matt Delger coaching era officially came to an end on Friday for the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team. Having the season end with a loss will always leave a bitter taste, but the Jaguars feel that there’s been a foundation set in the 2025-26 campaign that Centennial teams of the future will be … [Read more...] about ‘They fought all the way until the end’: Jags fall at Urbandale, finish year at 9-14
Aguirre records rare triple-double, leads Hawks to rout over Valley in substate play
There was no chance that Rio Aguirre and the Ankeny boys' basketball team were going to overlook their first opponent in postseason play. CIML Conference rival Valley entered Friday's game at Ankeny with just two wins, but the Tigers were still the three-time defending Class 4A state champions. And, they were riding the momentum of a 62-59 triumph at … [Read more...] about Aguirre records rare triple-double, leads Hawks to rout over Valley in substate play
‘It seemed like a good time to hang it up’: Groth retires after 34 years as head coach
The only head coach in the history of the Ankeny Centennial wrestling program has departed from his position in style. After guiding junior Max Dhabolt to a second consecutive Class 3A individual state title last weekend, Jay Groth announced his retirement on Thursday after 34 seasons as a head coach. Groth spent two years at Des Moines Hoover and 19 … [Read more...] about ‘It seemed like a good time to hang it up’: Groth retires after 34 years as head coach
Winkel earns repeat all-NSIC first-team honors after helping SCSU to league title
Former Ankeny Centennial basketball star Luke Winkel has been named to the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference first team for the second year in a row, becoming the first St. Cloud State player since Anthony Roberts in 2021-22 to earn first-team honors in consecutive seasons. A sophomore point guard, Winkel has taken on a bigger role this season for … [Read more...] about Winkel earns repeat all-NSIC first-team honors after helping SCSU to league title
Former Ankeny standout Palmer leads way in hot start for Huskies’ softball team
Former Ankeny softball standout Kennedy Palmer is off to a good start in her first season at St. Cloud State. The junior second baseman has helped the Huskies to a 9-1 record after transferring from Iowa Central Community College in Fort Dodge. She leads the team with a .480 batting average. Palmer hit .471 last weekend, going 8-for-17 at the plate, as … [Read more...] about Former Ankeny standout Palmer leads way in hot start for Huskies’ softball team
‘It’s so incredible!’: Ankeny routs S.C. East, advances to state for first time since 2013
(Story by Stephen McDaniel) After 13 years, the wait is officially over. The Ankeny girls' basketball team is headed to the state tournament. The sixth-ranked Hawkettes ended their drought by defeating No. 11 Sioux City East, 60-30, in a Class 5A regional final on Tuesday at Ankeny. “It’s so incredible!” senior guard Ainsley Kiene said with a … [Read more...] about ‘It’s so incredible!’: Ankeny routs S.C. East, advances to state for first time since 2013
‘They deserved this win’: Jaguars knock off No. 4 Cedar Falls, qualify for state tourney
The Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball program made a habit of advancing to the state tournament under Scott DeJong. It appears the Jaguars' tradition will continue without the legendary coach. Twelfth-ranked Centennial used a 7-0 run in the first 2 minutes of the fourth quarter to post a 40-35 victory at No. 4 Cedar Falls in a Class 5A regional final … [Read more...] about ‘They deserved this win’: Jaguars knock off No. 4 Cedar Falls, qualify for state tourney
‘I’m proud of our guys’: Eagles start strong, but eventually tumble to No. 1 St. Edmond
The Ankeny Christian Academy boys' basketball team got off to a promising start in Tuesday's game at Fort Dodge St. Edmond. The early momentum, though, didn't last. The top-ranked Gaels used a 12-0 run to erase a 10-8 deficit and went on to post a 78-58 victory in a Class 1A district final. The loss ended a seven-game winning streak for the Eagles, who … [Read more...] about ‘I’m proud of our guys’: Eagles start strong, but eventually tumble to No. 1 St. Edmond
‘We really wanted to start off hot’: Mitchell, Gorsh lead Jaguars past Fort Dodge boys
With only four wins on the year, the Fort Dodge boys' basketball team entered Monday's game at Ankeny Centennial looking to pull off a postseason surprise. The Jaguars, meanwhile, wanted to quickly squash any hopes for an upset. Centennial used a 15-0 run in the first half to pull away and went on to beat the Dodgers, 56-27, in a Class 4A substate … [Read more...] about ‘We really wanted to start off hot’: Mitchell, Gorsh lead Jaguars past Fort Dodge boys
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Jed Rood, Ankeny Christian boys’ basketball
Junior guard Jed Rood scored 20 points, grabbed nine rebounds and had two blocks to lead the Ankeny Christian Academy boys' basketball team to a 50-49 victory over visiting Southeast Warren in a Class 1A district semifinal on Friday. He made a layup with 12 seconds left for the go-ahead basket. Rood has helped the Eagles to a 20-4 record. He averages a … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Jed Rood, Ankeny Christian boys’ basketball
‘We’ve just shown so much growth’: Jags roll past Roosevelt, earn trip to Cedar Falls
(Story by Stephen McDaniel) It’s one thing to beat a good team during the regular season, but it’s a completely different thing to repeat that success against the same squad in the postseason with your season on the line. The Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team was able to do it, and now the 12th-ranked Jaguars are one win away from returning to … [Read more...] about ‘We’ve just shown so much growth’: Jags roll past Roosevelt, earn trip to Cedar Falls
Hawkettes rout S.C. North, advance to regional final for 6th consecutive year
The Ankeny girls' basketball team moved one step closer toward ending its state tournament drought. The sixth-ranked Hawkettes rolled to a 57-21 victory over visiting Sioux City North in a Class 5A regional semifinal on Saturday. They are now one win away from advancing to the state tournament for the first time since 2013--before the community of Ankeny … [Read more...] about Hawkettes rout S.C. North, advance to regional final for 6th consecutive year
‘It feels a lot better getting my revenge’: Dhabolt tops Miller, claims 2nd state title
A year ago, Max Dhabolt made some history by becoming the first Ankeny Centennial boys' wrestler to capture an individual state title. It turns out that winning a second championship was even sweeter. The second-seeded Dhabolt avenged his only loss of the season by defeating No. 1 Jaxon Miller of Carlisle, 7-4, in the Class 3A 175-pound title match on … [Read more...] about ‘It feels a lot better getting my revenge’: Dhabolt tops Miller, claims 2nd state title
Rathjen earns runner-up medal after falling, 4-2, to longtime training partner
It was the kind of match that you'd expect between two wrestlers who have been training partners for several years. When Ankeny sophomore Calvin Rathjen and Indianola junior Mac Crosson battled for the Class 3A 165-pound championship on Saturday night at the Casey's Center, both competitors knew that one takedown--or one mistake--could decide the … [Read more...] about Rathjen earns runner-up medal after falling, 4-2, to longtime training partner