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Jayla Williams

Williams named to Class 5A all-tourney team after leading Ankeny to semifinals

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Ankeny star Jayla Williams has been named to the Class 5A all-tournament team after leading the Hawkettes to the semifinals of the girls' state basketball tournament. Williams scored 20 points and had four steals in Ankeny's 49-39 loss to top-ranked Johnston in Thursday's semifinals at the Casey's Center. The Dragons went on to capture their third … [Read more...] about Williams named to Class 5A all-tourney team after leading Ankeny to semifinals

‘We gave it our all’: Hawkettes put scare into Johnston before falling in semifinals

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There was no reason for Ankeny seniors Ainsley Kiene and Jayla Williams to shed any tears while they answered questions from reporters in the media interview room on Thursday at the girls' state basketball tournament. The sixth-ranked Hawkettes had left it all out on the court at the Casey's Center, where they dropped a 49-39 decision to No. 1 Johnston in … [Read more...] about ‘We gave it our all’: Hawkettes put scare into Johnston before falling in semifinals

Ankeny girls surge past Warriors behind barrage of 3s from Baldwin, Schaapveld

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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

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Jayla Williams, Ankeny girls’ basketball

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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

‘It’s so incredible!’: Ankeny routs S.C. East, advances to state for first time since 2013

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(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

Hawkettes slow pace, but No. 1 Johnston prevails to earn 73rd consecutive victory

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The Ankeny girls' basketball team held top-ranked Johnston to just 50 points in the regular-season finale on Friday at Ankeny, one of the Dragons' worst offensive performances of the year. But the two-time defending Class 5A state champions still managed to extend their winning streak to 73 games. The Dragons limited No. 5 Ankeny to its lowest scoring … [Read more...] about Hawkettes slow pace, but No. 1 Johnston prevails to earn 73rd consecutive victory

‘She’s amazing!’: Williams leads Hawkettes to rout at S.E. Polk with career-high 34

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There's something about the Southeast Polk gym that brings out the best in Ankeny senior Jayla Williams. Perhaps...it's the smell. Williams poured in a career-high 34 points on 12-of-16 shooting to lead the fifth-ranked Hawkettes to a 72-40 victory at Southeast Polk in a CIML Conference girls' basketball game on Monday. "I really do like this gym," … [Read more...] about ‘She’s amazing!’: Williams leads Hawkettes to rout at S.E. Polk with career-high 34

‘We have work to do’: Hawkettes look to regroup after falling to No. 4 DC-Grimes

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With only five games left in the regular season, the Ankeny girls' basketball team discovered that it might not be ready for postseason play. The fourth-ranked Hawkettes never led in Monday's non-conference game and dropped a 65-57 decision to visiting Dallas Center-Grimes, the No. 4 team in Class 4A. "They're good, and we made them look pretty good at … [Read more...] about ‘We have work to do’: Hawkettes look to regroup after falling to No. 4 DC-Grimes

‘She was all over the court’: Williams scores 27, leads Hawkettes past Waukee

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As the sixth-leading scorer in Class 5A, Ankeny senior Jayla Williams is among the most productive offensive players in Iowa girls' basketball. But it's everything else that the Creighton recruit does on the court that makes her one of the state's best all-around players in the Class of 2026. Williams showed off all of her skills on Tuesday while … [Read more...] about ‘She was all over the court’: Williams scores 27, leads Hawkettes past Waukee

Balanced Jaguars overcome Williams’ career-high 33 points to knock off Ankeny

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The Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team has dominated the all-time series against its crosstown rival. The Jaguars entered Tuesday's game at Ankeny with a 22-3 advantage in the history of the rivalry, but the third-ranked Hawkettes were clearly the favorite after posting a 55-39 win at Centennial on Dec. 5. After getting off to a slow start, … [Read more...] about Balanced Jaguars overcome Williams’ career-high 33 points to knock off Ankeny

No. 2 Maroons outlast No. 3 Ankeny girls in showdown for 2nd place in CIML race

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Friday's showdown between two of the top three girls' basketball teams in Class 5A turned out to be a game of runs. In the end, second-ranked Dowling Catholic held off No. 3 Ankeny's final rally to post a 64-57 victory on the road. The Hawkettes lost despite shooting 61.1 percent from 3-point range (11-of-18). "We just got down by a little too much to … [Read more...] about No. 2 Maroons outlast No. 3 Ankeny girls in showdown for 2nd place in CIML race

Williams reaches 1,000-point mark, leads Hawkettes to victory over No. 13 Waukee

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(Story by Stephen McDaniel) Over the past couple of years, Jayla Williams has been the engine that’s kept the Ankeny girls' basketball team moving. The senior guard and future Creighton Bluejay checked off a major milestone while guiding the fourth-ranked Hawkettes to a 56-48 home win over No. 13 Waukee on Friday night. Williams scored a game-high … [Read more...] about Williams reaches 1,000-point mark, leads Hawkettes to victory over No. 13 Waukee

‘Johnston keeps coming at you’: No. 1 Dragons surge past Ankeny girls, 74-51

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It's not often that a high school basketball team can take some positives away from a 23-point loss. But that was the case on Tuesday for the sixth-ranked Ankeny girls' squad, which held a lead midway through the second quarter at No. 1 Johnston before the Dragons rallied for a 74-51 victory. "That was where we expected to be," said Ankeny coach Nate … [Read more...] about ‘Johnston keeps coming at you’: No. 1 Dragons surge past Ankeny girls, 74-51

‘I’m just happy for our girls’: Hawkettes end four-game skid against Centennial

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(Story by Stephen McDaniel) For just the third time since Ankeny split into two high schools, the Ankeny Hawkettes defeated their crosstown rival in girls' basketball. Sixth-ranked Ankeny stayed a few steps ahead of a young, scrappy Ankeny Centennial team for a 55-39 road victory on Friday night. It snapped a four-game losing streak in the series and … [Read more...] about ‘I’m just happy for our girls’: Hawkettes end four-game skid against Centennial

‘Our girls just executed so well’: Williams, Hawkettes pull away from No. 11 Valley

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At 5-foot-9, Ankeny senior Jayla Williams doesn't look like a typical post player on the basketball court. But with her outstanding athleticism, the Creighton recruit can occasionally take advantage of a smaller defender in the paint. That's exactly what Williams did on Tuesday night, when she scored 16 of her 21 points in the second half to lead the … [Read more...] about ‘Our girls just executed so well’: Williams, Hawkettes pull away from No. 11 Valley

‘I hope I can make an impact there’: Williams picks Bluejays over Buffaloes

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After narrowing down her list of schools to a top five, Ankeny basketball standout Jayla Williams picked the one that was closest to home. Even though the location wasn't much of a factor. "I actually didn't really want to go that close to home," Williams said on Tuesday after committing to play for Creighton. The senior-to-be is considered Iowa's … [Read more...] about ‘I hope I can make an impact there’: Williams picks Bluejays over Buffaloes

Ankeny basketball standout Williams verbally commits to play for Creighton

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One of Iowa's top girls' basketball players in the Class of 2026 has made her college decision. Ankeny wing Jayla Williams announced on Tuesday she has verbally committed to Creighton. The senior-to-be held more than a dozen offers from Division I schools and had previously narrowed her list down to five schools, which also included Colorado, Columbia, … [Read more...] about Ankeny basketball standout Williams verbally commits to play for Creighton

Crawford, Pratt, Williams earn all-state honors from Iowa Print Sports Writers

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Girls' basketball standouts Mya Crawford and Jaeden Pratt of Ankeny Centennial have earned some more all-state honors along with Ankeny star Jayla Williams. Crawford was a repeat selection to the Class 5A first team by the Iowa Print Sports Writers Association. Pratt was named to the Class 5A second team for the third consecutive year, while Williams was … [Read more...] about Crawford, Pratt, Williams earn all-state honors from Iowa Print Sports Writers

Crawford again named to 5A 1st team; Two others earn repeat 2nd-team honors

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There were a lot of familiar names on the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association's all-state girls' basketball teams that were announced on Monday. Some of the players were named to the same squads for the second year in a row, including senior stars Mya Crawford and Jaeden Pratt of Ankeny Centennial and versatile junior Jayla Williams of Ankeny. Crawford was … [Read more...] about Crawford again named to 5A 1st team; Two others earn repeat 2nd-team honors