The Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team used a strong third quarter to pull away for a 54-45 victory at Waukee Northwest in its regular-season finale on Friday. The sixth-ranked Jaguars held a 26-23 lead at halftime. They then outscored Northwest in the third period, 16-9, to build a 42-32 advantage. The Wolves closed the gap to 44-41 in the … [Read more...] about Centennial girls knock off Wolves, earn 3rd-place finish in CIML Conference
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‘She was lights out tonight’: Jaeger pours in 30 as Valley girls roll past Hawkettes
There wasn't much that Ankeny girls' basketball coach Dru McAnelly could say to his team following the Hawkettes' 67-36 loss to visiting Valley in their regular-season finale on Friday. "Not that we ever want to have this feeling again, but we'd much rather have it tonight than eight days from now," said McAnelly. "If this happens eight days from now, our … [Read more...] about ‘She was lights out tonight’: Jaeger pours in 30 as Valley girls roll past Hawkettes
Ankeny boys fall to No. 4 Valley, will try to rebound Saturday against Linn-Mar
The Ankeny boys' basketball team won't have much time to dwell on Friday's loss to visiting Valley. The Hawks will be right back on the court Saturday at Valley to face Linn-Mar (Marion) (7-10) in a non-conference game. Tip-off is at 2:30 p.m. "They've got a good young team," Ankeny coach Brandt Carlson said of the Lions. "It'll be a good challenge for … [Read more...] about Ankeny boys fall to No. 4 Valley, will try to rebound Saturday against Linn-Mar
Swanepoel smashes state record in 100 butterfly, closes in on 50 freestyle mark
Ankeny swimmer Lance Swanepoel called his shot a week ago. After winning the 100 butterfly at a district meet in 48.75 seconds, Swanepoel said that a time of 46.8 was calling his name for the state meet. On Friday night during the preliminaries of the state meet at the University of Iowa's Campus Recreation and Wellness Center in Iowa City, the senior … [Read more...] about Swanepoel smashes state record in 100 butterfly, closes in on 50 freestyle mark
Hawk swimmers projected to finish 8th at state; Swanepoel could win 2 titles
Top-ranked Waukee is a strong favorite to win a third consecutive boys' swimming state title. The Warriors are projected to score 273 points in the state meet, which begins on Friday with the preliminaries at 5 p.m. at the University of Iowa's Campus Recreation and Wellness Center in Iowa City. The meet concludes on Saturday with the finals at … [Read more...] about Hawk swimmers projected to finish 8th at state; Swanepoel could win 2 titles
Ankeny girls place 4th at conference meet; Hawk bowlers finish 5th
The Ankeny girls' bowling team placed fourth in the CIML Conference meet on Wednesday at Merle Hay Lanes, while the boys' squad earned a fifth-place finish. The meet consisted of 15 bakers games for the team competition. The individual rounds were comprised of three games. "I'm very proud of how we all bowled," said Ankeny coach Lane Richtsmeier. "We … [Read more...] about Ankeny girls place 4th at conference meet; Hawk bowlers finish 5th
Regional pairings announced: Jaguars, Hawkettes to host semifinals on Feb. 18
The Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team won't have to leave its own gym in order to qualify for the Class 5A state tournament. For crosstown rival Ankeny, though, the road to Wells Fargo Arena will likely go through Davenport. The regional pairings were announced on Wednesday by the Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union. Sixth-ranked Centennial … [Read more...] about Regional pairings announced: Jaguars, Hawkettes to host semifinals on Feb. 18
Centennial boys top Rams in seesaw battle for Fontana’s 450th career triumph
Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball coach Bob Fontana doesn't keep track of his career record. It's a good thing that somebody else does. Fontana earned his 450th career win on Tuesday as the sixth-ranked Jaguars won a seesaw battle at Southeast Polk, 64-61, in a CIML Conference game. "I don't keep track of that, but my wife and daughter do," said … [Read more...] about Centennial boys top Rams in seesaw battle for Fontana’s 450th career triumph
J-Hawks spoil Ankeny boys’ Senior Night as Hawks’ offense fizzles in 2nd half
It's been an up-and-down season for the Ankeny boys' basketball team. After winning three straight games in mid-January, the Hawks have now lost four in a row following Tuesday's 59-46 setback to visiting Urbandale. The J-Hawks improved to 2-13 in the CIML Conference and 7-13 overall, while Ankeny's records dropped to 4-11 and 6-13. Both of Urbandale's … [Read more...] about J-Hawks spoil Ankeny boys’ Senior Night as Hawks’ offense fizzles in 2nd half
‘It was a great night for the seniors’: Lewis, Hawkettes roll past Urbandale
Kendra Lewis and the other seniors on the Ankeny girls' basketball team wanted to make sure that their Senior Night was a joyous occasion. The 13th-ranked Hawkettes did just that with a 62-24 victory over visiting Urbandale on Tuesday. Lewis, a reserve guard, led the way with 14 points, making 3-of-9 3-pointers. Fellow senior Jenna Pitz scored 12 … [Read more...] about ‘It was a great night for the seniors’: Lewis, Hawkettes roll past Urbandale
‘I’ve been feeling it lately’: Porter’s late flurry lifts Jaguars to victory at S.E. Polk
Ankeny Centennial's Averi Porter has made a lot of big shots in her high school basketball career. On Tuesday night, the senior guard connected on a few more. Porter erupted for 10 points in the first 3 minutes of the fourth quarter as the sixth-ranked Jaguars pulled away from a 33-33 tie to post a 52-46 victory at No. 9 Southeast Polk. She finished … [Read more...] about ‘I’ve been feeling it lately’: Porter’s late flurry lifts Jaguars to victory at S.E. Polk
‘We’ve just got to learn from it’: Jaguars finish 8th in 3A duals tournament
Ankeny Centennial's trip to the state duals wrestling tournament turned into a bumpy ride. The Jaguars placed eighth in the Class 3A field on Saturday at Xtream Arena in Coralville. They finished the dual season with a 21-9 record after losing to all three of their opponents. "It was just one of those days where we came out flat and wrestled flat all … [Read more...] about ‘We’ve just got to learn from it’: Jaguars finish 8th in 3A duals tournament
‘We wrestled as hard as we could’: Hawks place 4th in 3A duals tourney
The Ankeny wrestling team returned home from the Class 3A state duals tournament with some new hardware for the school's trophy case. The Hawks earned a fourth-place finish on Saturday at Xtream Arena in Coralville. It was the highest finish in school history. "We wanted to finish higher, but I can honestly say we had no regrets when we left there," … [Read more...] about ‘We wrestled as hard as we could’: Hawks place 4th in 3A duals tourney
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Evan Bryan, Centennial boys’ basketball
Senior forward Evan Bryan has helped the eighth-ranked Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team to a 13-5 record, including an 8-5 mark in the CIML Conference. He scored 14 points and grabbed seven boards on Saturday as the Jaguars posted a 73-32 win at Des Moines North for their fourth consecutive victory. Bryan is averaging 9.4 points and 4.0 rebounds … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Evan Bryan, Centennial boys’ basketball
‘I was really happy with our approach’: Centennial boys roll past Polar Bears
The Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team didn't have much time to enjoy Friday night's thrilling come-from-behind win against Ankeny. The eighth-ranked Jaguars were back on the court less than 24 hours later for a non-conference game on Saturday at Des Moines North. Centennial got off to a fast start, building a 38-9 halftime lead, and rolled to a … [Read more...] about ‘I was really happy with our approach’: Centennial boys roll past Polar Bears
Ankeny swimmers respond to adversity, earn runner-up finish at district meet
Saturday's district meet at Ames went pretty smoothly for the Ankeny boys' swimming team--with one notable exception. Owen Schwebach was disqualified for a false start in the 50 freestyle, but he then rebounded with a personal best in the 100 butterfly and helped seventh-ranked Ankeny to a runner-up finish in the eight-team field. The Hawks scored 438 … [Read more...] about Ankeny swimmers respond to adversity, earn runner-up finish at district meet
A COMEBACK FOR THE AGES: Jaguars rally from 25 down to edge Ankeny boys
A noticeable number of fans left the Ankeny Centennial gym on Friday after the Ankeny boys' basketball team built a commanding 37-14 halftime lead over the eighth-ranked Jaguars. Those fans missed quite the finish. After Ankeny's Maddox Ward scored the first basket of the third quarter to extend the margin to 25 points, Centennial responded with an … [Read more...] about A COMEBACK FOR THE AGES: Jaguars rally from 25 down to edge Ankeny boys
‘Jenna put us on her back’: Pitz again leads Hawkettes past rival Centennial
Ankeny senior Jenna Pitz struggled through one of the worst shooting nights of her basketball career on Dec. 20, going 1-for-13 from the field in the Hawkettes' 59-52 loss to Ankeny Centennial. She wasn't going to let it happen again. Pitz scored 16 of her 17 points in the second half to lead 13th-ranked Ankeny to a 48-43 victory at No. 6 Centennial on … [Read more...] about ‘Jenna put us on her back’: Pitz again leads Hawkettes past rival Centennial
CLEVELAND ROCKS: Ankeny junior takes 4th, becomes program’s 1st placewinner
Ankeny wrestler Dana Cleveland didn't let a disappointing loss in Thursday's quarterfinals prevent her from becoming the first state placewinner in girls' program history. The junior responded by winning three of four matches on Friday to earn a fourth-place finish at 135 pounds in the inaugural girls' tournament at the Xtream Arena in Coralville. "It … [Read more...] about CLEVELAND ROCKS: Ankeny junior takes 4th, becomes program’s 1st placewinner
Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for the Jag-Hawk basketball rematches
Round 2 of the Jag-Hawk basketball showdowns will be held on Friday at Centennial, where the Jaguars will try to complete a sweep of both the boys' and girls' series for the third time in four seasons and for the fourth time ever. Centennial dominated both of the games at Ankeny back in December, resulting in a 19-point win for the boys and a deceiving … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for the Jag-Hawk basketball rematches