The Ankeny girls' basketball team nearly upset Johnston on Dec. 21, building a 13-point halftime lead before dropping a 66-64 decision to the host Dragons. On Friday, third-ranked Johnston was ready for the rematch right from the opening tip. The Dragons jumped out to an early 15-7 lead and went on to post a 65-50 victory at Ankeny in the … [Read more...] about Johnston girls top Hawkettes, are ‘No. 1 in the state for a reason’
Jaelynn Kueker
Hawkettes hold off No. 13 D.M. East in season opener, 45-38
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
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
Hawkettes rout Hoover in regular-season finale
The 15th win of the season for the Ankeny girls' soccer team may have been its easiest. The second-ranked Hawkettes cruised to a 14-0 victory at Des Moines Hoover on Tuesday. It was the team's final game of the regular season. "To be honest, I would have liked a tougher game," said Ankeny coach Dan Bertsch, whose team raised its record to 15-2. "You … [Read more...] about Hawkettes rout Hoover in regular-season finale
‘Together We Soar’: Hawkettes look to blend talented newcomers with strong returning cast
A year ago, Chloee Kooker was one of the state's most prolific offensive players, accounting for nearly 40 percent of the Ankeny girls' soccer team's goals. Kooker racked up 25 goals and nine assists while leading the Hawkettes to an 11-8 record. The Indiana State recruit was named to the Class 3A all-state second team by the Iowa Girls' Coaches … [Read more...] about ‘Together We Soar’: Hawkettes look to blend talented newcomers with strong returning cast
Hawkettes get back to .500 mark with win over Fort Dodge
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
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
Hawkettes focus on themselves, respond with ‘satisfying’ victory at East
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