Last week, top-ranked Pleasant Valley capped off an undefeated season by winning the girls' Class 5A state basketball title. Now, the No. 1 Cedar Rapids Kennedy boys' team will try to accomplish the same feat. The Class 4A tournament gets under way Wednesday at Wells Fargo Arena. Whichever team cuts down the nets on Friday night will have to win three … [Read more...] about Boys’ state preview: Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for the Class 4A quarterfinals
Featured
YOUTH MOVEMENT: Gage, Pratt among 6 sophs to earn Class 5A all-state honors
The future looks very bright for Class 5A girls' basketball in the state of Iowa. Six sophomores and a pair of freshmen were among the players named to the Class 5A all-state teams by the Iowa Print Sports Writers Association, who selected the squads during a meeting on Saturday in conjunction with a panel of coaches. Ankeny star Savannah Gage and … [Read more...] about YOUTH MOVEMENT: Gage, Pratt among 6 sophs to earn Class 5A all-state honors
A TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE: Fontana visits with pair of Ankeny legends
Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball coach Bob Fontana has been busy preparing his team for this week's Class 4A state tournament, but he still took some time on Sunday to visit Barney Alleman and Keith Hildreth, two former Ankeny players who played in three consecutive state tournaments in 1948-50. A third former player, Vern Herring, was unable to make it. … [Read more...] about A TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE: Fontana visits with pair of Ankeny legends
Simpson’s Dunwoody named ARC Pitcher of the Week after tossing gem
Simpson College freshman Easton Dunwoody has been named the American Rivers Conference Pitcher of the Week after earning his first collegiate victory on the mound. Dunwoody, a former Ankeny standout, made his second career start in Saturday's second game, helping the Storm to a 4-1 win over St. Olaf. It was the team's first triumph of the … [Read more...] about Simpson’s Dunwoody named ARC Pitcher of the Week after tossing gem
Unanimous pick Gage earns all-league first-team honors along with Clark, Pratt
Ankeny sophomore guard Savannah Gage has been named to the CIML Conference girls' basketball first team along with a pair of Ankeny Centennial players--senior guard Makenna Clark and sophomore forward Jaeden Pratt. Gage, who led the Hawkettes to a 12-11 record this season, was one of five unanimous picks to the squad. She averaged 16.6 points per game, … [Read more...] about Unanimous pick Gage earns all-league first-team honors along with Clark, Pratt
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Drew Schreurs, Ankeny Centennial boys’ hoops
Senior guard Drew Schreurs has helped the 10th-ranked Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team to a 16-7 record. He scored seven points and grabbed three rebounds to help his team to a 54-47 win over No. 8 Cedar Falls in a Class 4A substate final on Tuesday at Marshalltown, allowing the Jaguars to advance to the state tournament for the second time in school … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Drew Schreurs, Ankeny Centennial boys’ hoops
Centennial’s Bryan among 23 players named to IBCA academic all-state team
Ankeny Centennial senior forward Evan Bryan has been named to the academic all-state team by the Iowa Basketball Coaches Association. He was one of 23 players selected to the squad by a panel from more than 120 applicants. Bryan has averaged 10.5 points and 4.0 rebounds per game while helping the 10th-ranked Jaguars to a 16-7 record. He is shooting a … [Read more...] about Centennial’s Bryan among 23 players named to IBCA academic all-state team
After leading Jaguars to semifinals, Pratt named to Class 5A all-tournament team
Sophomore forward Jaeden Pratt of Ankeny Centennial has been named to the Class 5A all-tournament team at the girls' state basketball tournament in Des Moines. Pratt was honored on Friday night following the Class 5A championship game at Wells Fargo Arena. She averaged 9.5 points and 5.5 rebounds while leading the Jaguars to the semifinals of the … [Read more...] about After leading Jaguars to semifinals, Pratt named to Class 5A all-tournament team
‘We just came up short’: Jaguars suffer late scoring drought, tumble to Johnston
Thursday morning's Class 5A semifinal showdown between second-ranked Johnston and No. 6 Ankeny Centennial turned into a backyard brawl at the girls' state basketball tournament. Playing for the third time this season, the CIML Conference rivals waged a fierce defensive battle before the Dragons scored the final six points of the game to emerge with a … [Read more...] about ‘We just came up short’: Jaguars suffer late scoring drought, tumble to Johnston
An all-CIML title game?: Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for the Class 5A semifinals
There was only one upset in Monday's Class 5A quarterfinals at the girls' state basketball tournament, where sixth-seeded Ankeny Centennial avenged last year's quarterfinal loss to Waterloo West with a 60-51 win over the No. 3 Wahawks. In the other three games, the higher seeds all won by an average of 17 points. Three teams from the CIML Conference--No. … [Read more...] about An all-CIML title game?: Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for the Class 5A semifinals
‘We’re on top of the world’: Jaguars rally past Cedar Falls, earn 2nd trip to state
The Comeback Kids are headed to Wells Fargo Arena. The 10th-ranked Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team erased an early 10-point deficit and went on to defeat No. 8 Cedar Falls, 54-47, in a Class 4A substate final on Tuesday at Marshalltown. The Jaguars (16-7) advanced to the state tournament for the second time in school history. "It feels amazing … [Read more...] about ‘We’re on top of the world’: Jaguars rally past Cedar Falls, earn 2nd trip to state
Ankeny’s Gage, Pitz earn all-district honors along with Centennial duo
Ankeny girls' basketball standouts Savannah Gage and Jenna Pitz have been named to the Class 5A West all-district team for the second straight year. The duo was joined on the squad by a pair of Ankeny Centennial players, Makenna Clark and Jaeden Pratt. The all-district teams were selected by the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association. Gage, a sophomore guard, … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Gage, Pitz earn all-district honors along with Centennial duo
SWEET REVENGE: Jaguars oust No. 3 Waterloo West, will play Johnston next
A year ago, the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team ended its season with a loss to Waterloo West in the Class 5A quarterfinals. On Monday at Wells Fargo Arena, the Jaguars returned the favor. Sixth-seeded Centennial got 20 points from senior guard Makenna Clark and defeated No. 3 Waterloo West, 60-51, on the opening day of the state … [Read more...] about SWEET REVENGE: Jaguars oust No. 3 Waterloo West, will play Johnston next
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Makenna Clark, Centennial girls’ hoops
Senior guard Makenna Clark scored six points and grabbed six rebounds to help the sixth-ranked Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team to a 35-32 victory over No. 11 Linn-Mar (Marion) in a Class 5A regional final on Tuesday at Centennial. The Jaguars earned a third consecutive trip to the state tournament for the first time in school history. Clark is … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Makenna Clark, Centennial girls’ hoops
State tourney preview: Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for the Class 5A quarterfinals
In recent years, the Central Iowa Metropolitan League has dominated the girls' Class 5A state basketball tournament. Waukee cruised to the title in 2021, winning its three games at Wells Fargo Arena by an average of 24 points. Then, last year, Johnston reached the championship game for the third straight year and won its second crown in that span in … [Read more...] about State tourney preview: Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for the Class 5A quarterfinals
Jaguars topple Iowa City West, will play No. 8 Cedar Falls for state tourney berth
The Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball players were prepared for a battle on Friday night. The 10th-ranked Jaguars survived their postseason opener, posting a 57-52 win over visiting Iowa City West in a Class 4A substate semifinal. "I thought we adjusted really well after the first quarter to the physicality of the game," said Centennial coach Bob … [Read more...] about Jaguars topple Iowa City West, will play No. 8 Cedar Falls for state tourney berth
‘My hat’s off to Ames’: Little Cyclones end Ankeny’s season with huge 2nd half
The first half of Friday's game at Ames could not have gone much better for the Ankeny boys' basketball team. Unfortunately, the second half could not have gone any worse. After building a 39-26 halftime lead, the Hawks were outscored in the final two periods, 46-12, and dropped a 72-51 decision in a Class 4A substate semifinal. They finished an … [Read more...] about ‘My hat’s off to Ames’: Little Cyclones end Ankeny’s season with huge 2nd half
IT’S A THREEPEAT!: Centennial girls hold off Linn-Mar, earn another trip to state
The seniors on the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team got one last chance to play on their home court Tuesday night. They didn't want it to be their final game. Kennedy White scored 11 points, Averi Porter dished out six assists and Makenna Clark made a pair of 3-point goals to help the sixth-ranked Jaguars to a 35-32 victory over No. 11 Linn-Mar … [Read more...] about IT’S A THREEPEAT!: Centennial girls hold off Linn-Mar, earn another trip to state
Hawkettes’ valiant effort falls short in regional final at No. 5 Davenport North
Ankeny's dream of qualifying for the girls' state basketball tournament will have to wait at least another year. The 12th-ranked Hawkettes led for much of the game before falling at No. 5 Davenport North, 65-61, in a Class 5A regional final on Tuesday. The Wildcats (21-2) advanced to next week's state tournament at Wells Fargo Arena, while Ankeny finished … [Read more...] about Hawkettes’ valiant effort falls short in regional final at No. 5 Davenport North
‘It’s what we needed’: Aguirre scores 27, leads Hawks to lopsided substate win
With an 8-14 record, the Ankeny boys' basketball team didn't win enough games to earn a first-round bye in postseason play. That was just fine with junior Lio Aguirre. Aguirre poured in 27 points to lead the Hawks to a 76-52 victory over visiting Ottumwa in a Class 4A substate quarterfinal on Monday. The Bulldogs, who had won their previous two games … [Read more...] about ‘It’s what we needed’: Aguirre scores 27, leads Hawks to lopsided substate win