The sixth-ranked Ankeny boys' basketball team has been awarded the No. 1 seed in Class 4A Substate 1 by the Iowa High School Athletic Association, while No. 10 Ankeny Centennial is the No. 2 seed in Substate 2. Both teams will receive a first-round bye before hosting a semifinal game on Friday, Feb. 25 at 7 p.m. Ankeny (14-4) will host the winner of a … [Read more...] about Hawks earn No. 1 seed in Substate 1; Jaguars are No. 2 seed in Substate 2
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‘They’re in a different league’: Dragons roll past Ankeny despite Jacks’ 21 points
The Class 5A regional girls' basketball pairings are expected to be announced in the next couple of days. Ankeny coach Dru McAnelly is probably hoping not to see top-ranked Johnston in the Hawkettes' bracket. The host Dragons improved their record to 19-0 with a 79-49 victory over No. 12 Ankeny in a non-conference game on Monday. Only one opponent, No. … [Read more...] about ‘They’re in a different league’: Dragons roll past Ankeny despite Jacks’ 21 points
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Jackson Snyder, Centennial boys’ hoops
Senior guard Jackson Snyder has helped the 10th-ranked Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team to a 9-7 record. He is averaging 9.4 points and 2.8 rebounds per game while shooting 35.7 percent from 3-point range (15-of-42). Snyder scored 15 points on Friday in the Jaguars' 44-37 loss at top-ranked Ames. He was a perfect 6-for-6 from the field, including … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Jackson Snyder, Centennial boys’ hoops
‘I knew it was going in’: Indian Hills wins thriller on Bayless’ 30-foot buzzer-beater
Braxton Bayless made a lot of big shots during his high school basketball career. But the former Ankeny star never hit a game-winner at the buzzer. That's exactly what he did on Saturday, making a 30-foot buzzer-beater to give Indian Hills Community College a 67-66 victory on the road at Southeastern. "No, I didn't have any of those in high school," … [Read more...] about ‘I knew it was going in’: Indian Hills wins thriller on Bayless’ 30-foot buzzer-beater
Hawk swimmers place 2nd at district meet, qualify for state in every event
For the first time in five years, the Ankeny boys' swimming team didn't win the district title. The eighth-ranked Hawks placed second in Saturday's district meet at Southeast Polk with 435 points. No. 6 Valley won eight of the 11 events and captured the overall crown with 512 points. Still, Ankeny qualified for next week's state meet in every … [Read more...] about Hawk swimmers place 2nd at district meet, qualify for state in every event
Without Lipsey, Little Cyclones hold off Centennial to clinch share of CIML crown
Bob Fontana wasn't sure how much his Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team had improved since the Jaguars lost to top-ranked Ames, 58-38, a month ago. Friday's rematch at Ames produced some mixed results. No. 10 Centennial battled Ames down to the wire before dropping a 44-37 decision, but the Little Cyclones earned the victory without their … [Read more...] about Without Lipsey, Little Cyclones hold off Centennial to clinch share of CIML crown
‘We’re moving in the right direction’: AHS boys rout Mason City, improve to 14-3
When the Ankeny boys' basketball team posted a 70-56 win at Mason City on Jan. 7, the Hawks didn't pull away until the fourth quarter. Friday's rematch between the two squads at Ankeny was decided well before then. The sixth-ranked Hawks held a 37-21 lead at halftime, then outscored Mason City in the third quarter, 24-10, to build a 61-31 advantage. … [Read more...] about ‘We’re moving in the right direction’: AHS boys rout Mason City, improve to 14-3
Hawkettes earn shot to play for league crown with victory over Mason City
There was a lot at stake when the Ankeny girls' basketball team played at Ankeny Centennial last month. Now, Friday's rematch at Ankeny will carry even more importance. The 12th-ranked Hawkettes kept their CIML Iowa Conference title hopes alive with a 61-40 victory over visiting Mason City on Friday. They can earn a share of the crown by defeating No. … [Read more...] about Hawkettes earn shot to play for league crown with victory over Mason City
‘We’re just trying to get better’: Jaguars roll past Ames, clinch share of CIML title
Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball coach Scott DeJong isn't too worried about the CIML Iowa Conference race. He's more concerned about the bigger picture. "We're just trying to get better and if the conference (title) comes along the way, that's great," DeJong said. The third-ranked Jaguars clinched at least a share of the league crown with a 53-15 … [Read more...] about ‘We’re just trying to get better’: Jaguars roll past Ames, clinch share of CIML title
Centennial wrestlers fall to Waukee NW, but could get rematch in regional duals
Ankeny Centennial wrestling coach Jay Groth spent 19 years coaching at Des Moines Roosevelt before he left to begin the Jaguars' program in 2013. On Thursday, Groth returned to Roosevelt for the first time as Centennial's coach. The Jaguars opened a double dual meet with a 74-6 victory over Roosevelt, recording seven pins along the way. "I might … [Read more...] about Centennial wrestlers fall to Waukee NW, but could get rematch in regional duals
‘I’ll be competing with the best of the best’: Stearns commits to Iowa Western
The Iowa Western Community College football team has produced a lot of high-level recruits over the years. Ankeny Centennial receiver Isaiah Stearns is hoping to be another one. Stearns has committed to play for the Reivers next fall. He announced his decision via Twitter on Wednesday. "Blessed to announce my commitment to Iowa Western!!" Stearns … [Read more...] about ‘I’ll be competing with the best of the best’: Stearns commits to Iowa Western
Hawk bowlers edge Roosevelt; Ankeny girls post season-high score in loss
The Ankeny bowling teams traveled to Air Lanes Bowling Center on Tuesday for their final dual meet of the season and came away with a split. The Hawks defeated host Des Moines Roosevelt by a score of 2,433 to 2,373 in the non-conference matchup. The Roughriders won the girls' meet by a score of 1,744 to 1,517, even though the Hawkettes posted a … [Read more...] about Hawk bowlers edge Roosevelt; Ankeny girls post season-high score in loss
Ankeny’s Crandall decommits from Mankato, signs with Western Illinois
Ryan Crandall has decided to wear different shades of purple and gold. After earlier committing to play football at Minnesota State-Mankato, the Ankeny defensive back has signed a letter of intent to play for Western Illinois next year. "It was a hard decision, but it's always been a dream of mine to play at the highest level I can possibly play at," … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Crandall decommits from Mankato, signs with Western Illinois
On Senior Night, Jaguars overcome some poor shooting to defeat Waukee
It's been a long winter already for Ankeny Centennial senior Olivia Anderson. Anderson has missed her final basketball season due to a knee injury that she suffered while playing volleyball in the fall, but she got an opportunity to take the court one last time on Tuesday. Anderson started for the Jaguars in their Senior Night game against visiting … [Read more...] about On Senior Night, Jaguars overcome some poor shooting to defeat Waukee
Hawkettes rally for dramatic victory, keep their Iowa Conference title hopes alive
The Ankeny girls' basketball team's bid to win the CIML Iowa Conference title was hanging by a thread on Tuesday at Fort Dodge. Trailing by 58-51 late in the fourth quarter, the 10th-ranked Hawkettes appeared to be dangerously close to falling out of championship contention. But Ankeny then rallied for 10 consecutive points down the stretch, posting a … [Read more...] about Hawkettes rally for dramatic victory, keep their Iowa Conference title hopes alive
Hawks pull away in 2nd half, defeat Fort Dodge by 18-point margin for 2nd time
The Ankeny boys' basketball team didn't have any time to dwell on Monday's loss to top-ranked Ames. The No. 6 Hawks traveled to Fort Dodge on Tuesday for another CIML Iowa Conference game and posted a 69-51 victory, defeating the Dodgers by an 18-point margin for the second time this season. "It was nice to win after a tough Monday night game," said … [Read more...] about Hawks pull away in 2nd half, defeat Fort Dodge by 18-point margin for 2nd time
‘They’re the best team in the state’: Ames boys snap Hawks’ 8-game winning streak
The Ankeny boys' basketball team made a huge statement with Friday's win at third-ranked Waukee Northwest. No. 1 Ames made one of its own on Monday. The Little Cyclones jumped out to a 13-0 lead and cruised to a 69-50 victory at No. 8 Ankeny, snapping the Hawks' eight-game winning streak. "They were definitely ready, and we just didn't have an … [Read more...] about ‘They’re the best team in the state’: Ames boys snap Hawks’ 8-game winning streak
Ankeny girls romp past Little Cyclones, get their swagger and confidence back
Monday's game against visiting Ames gave the Ankeny girls' basketball team a chance to reset mentally. Coming off its worst loss of the season, the 10th-ranked Hawkettes placed four players in double figures and rolled to a 77-19 victory in a CIML Iowa Conference contest. "We just kind of needed to recharge the battery and clear the mindset," said … [Read more...] about Ankeny girls romp past Little Cyclones, get their swagger and confidence back
Centennial safety Andriano weighs 15 offers, commits to Augustana University
Ankeny Centennial football standout Keegan Andriano spent a lot of time looking at more than a dozen colleges. He eventually committed to Augustana University (S.D.), an NCAA Division II school. Andriano announced his decision via Twitter on Sunday. "I am proud to announce my commitment to the University of Augustana," Andriano tweeted. "Thank you … [Read more...] about Centennial safety Andriano weighs 15 offers, commits to Augustana University
Ex-Minnesota Twins Sampson, Sears thrilled by Ortiz’s election to Hall of Fame
David Ortiz left a big impression on everybody who crossed his path during a 20-year career in the major leagues. Two former Ankeny baseball stars, Benj Sampson and Todd Sears, were among the players who had a chance to play with one of the game's all-time greats. Sampson was elated when Ortiz was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame last week in his … [Read more...] about Ex-Minnesota Twins Sampson, Sears thrilled by Ortiz’s election to Hall of Fame