Ankeny Fanatic

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Kayla Pitz

Burns named to Class 5A second team; Pitz earns third-team honors

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Ankeny Centennial's Meg Burns and Ankeny's Kayla Pitz were among 13 girls' basketball players from the Central Iowa Metropolitan League to earn all-state honors from the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association. Burns, a senior guard, was selected to the Class 5A second team. She led the Jaguars to a 13-10 record this season. Burns averaged 12.2 points per game … [Read more...] about Burns named to Class 5A second team; Pitz earns third-team honors

Third-quarter scoring drought proves costly as Hawkettes fall to C.B. Lincoln

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The Ankeny girls' basketball players had no reason to hang their heads following Saturday's 67-53 loss at Council Bluffs Lincoln in a Class 5A regional semifinal. The Hawkettes, who finished with a 10-13 record, exceeded most expectations after losing two of their top players to season-ending injuries. "I think we only had three or four wins when we … [Read more...] about Third-quarter scoring drought proves costly as Hawkettes fall to C.B. Lincoln

Centennial’s Burns, Ankeny’s Pitz named to Class 5A West all-district team

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Senior guards Meg Burns of Ankeny Centennial and Kayla Pitz of Ankeny have both been named to the Class 5A West all-district girls' basketball team by the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association. Burns has led the 12th-ranked Jaguars to a 12-9 record. She is averaging a team-high 12.0 points per game while shooting 49.1 percent from 3-point range … [Read more...] about Centennial’s Burns, Ankeny’s Pitz named to Class 5A West all-district team

‘It’s always been a slugfest’: Centennial tops Hawkettes in defensive battle

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The Ankeny girls' basketball team turned in a spectacular defensive effort on Friday. It wasn't enough to knock off archrival Ankeny Centennial. The 12th-ranked Jaguars pulled away in the fourth quarter to post a 43-27 victory at Ankeny. They closed out the game with a 16-2 run. "This is the way it's been down here for the last seven years. It's … [Read more...] about ‘It’s always been a slugfest’: Centennial tops Hawkettes in defensive battle

Hawkettes respond to coach’s challenge, but rally falls short at No. 2 Johnston

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Ankeny girls' basketball coach Dru McAnelly issued a challenge to his players on Thursday. The Hawkettes responded in a big way. After trailing by 36-18 at halftime, Ankeny pulled within five points of second-ranked Johnston with about 5 minutes left to play before the host Dragons held on for a 70-60 victory. The outcome was a big improvement for … [Read more...] about Hawkettes respond to coach’s challenge, but rally falls short at No. 2 Johnston

‘Fearless’ Hawkettes battle back, but fall short against No. 2 S.E. Polk

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The Ankeny girls' basketball team took a step forward Tuesday night despite suffering a 74-61 loss to visiting Southeast Polk. The second-ranked Rams shot 61.3 percent from the field, including 11-of-19 from 3-point range, while raising their record to 7-0. But Ankeny coach Dru McAnelly was not unhappy with his team's defensive effort. "I actually … [Read more...] about ‘Fearless’ Hawkettes battle back, but fall short against No. 2 S.E. Polk

Hawkettes outlast Clark, Dowling to earn their biggest victory under McAnelly

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It's been a season full of adversity for the Ankeny girls' basketball team. Friday's thrilling victory over 11th-ranked Dowling Catholic may have been a turning point for the Hawkettes. Ankeny rallied from a 15-point deficit on its home court to post a 64-61 win over the Maroons, overcoming a 47-point performance by Dowling's Caitlin Clark. "There … [Read more...] about Hawkettes outlast Clark, Dowling to earn their biggest victory under McAnelly

Hawkettes snap two-game skid with hard-fought victory at Urbandale

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Ankeny's Kayla Pitz stood at the charity stripe and ignored the chants from the rowdy Urbandale student section. The junior guard made four consecutive free throws in the final 40 seconds to seal the Hawkettes' 46-40 victory in a CIML Central Conference girls' basketball game on Friday. She went 7-of-8 from the line and had nine of her 11 points in the … [Read more...] about Hawkettes snap two-game skid with hard-fought victory at Urbandale

Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Kayla Pitz, Ankeny girls’ basketball

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Junior guard Kayla Pitz scored five points and had six assists to help the Ankeny girls' basketball team to a 45-38 victory over 13th-ranked Des Moines East in its season opener on Tuesday at Ankeny. The Hawkettes will play at Mason City, the No. 3 team in Class 4A, on Monday. Pitz started every game for Ankeny as a sophomore, when she averaged 5.7 points … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Kayla Pitz, Ankeny girls’ basketball

Hawkettes hold off No. 13 D.M. East in season opener, 45-38

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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

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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 celebrate tournament victory by doing the Hokey Pokey

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Apparently, there is a second girls' basketball coach in Ankeny who likes to celebrate big victories by doing the Hokey Pokey. Scott DeJong started the tradition during his long run at Ankeny High School, where he guided the Hawkettes to six state championships. He then continued the ritual when he moved across town to Ankeny Centennial, where he led the … [Read more...] about Hawkettes celebrate tournament victory by doing the Hokey Pokey

Young leads the way as Valley girls avenge loss to Hawkettes

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Valley's Zoe Young showed again on Friday why she's considered one of the nation's top girls' basketball players in the Class of 2019. Young, a Maryland recruit, made a trio of 3-point goals and scored 19 points to lead the 12th-ranked Tigers to a 68-58 victory over No. 15 Ankeny at Valley. The junior guard also had eight rebounds, three assists, two … [Read more...] about Young leads the way as Valley girls avenge loss to Hawkettes

Ankeny teams enter Friday’s rematch at Centennial with plenty of confidence

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If Friday's basketball doubleheader at Ankeny Centennial is as entertaining as last month's rivalry games at Ankeny, then fans of the Hawks and Jaguars will be in for a treat. Both the girls' and boys' games came down to the last possession on Dec. 21, when Centennial posted a pair of narrow wins. The Jaguars escaped with a 43-41 victory in the opener as … [Read more...] about Ankeny teams enter Friday’s rematch at Centennial with plenty of confidence

Hawkettes focus on themselves, respond with ‘satisfying’ victory at East

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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

Hawkettes overcome 12-point deficit, beat defending 5A state champs

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  A couple of unlikely heroes emerged on Friday for the Ankeny girls' basketball team. Reserves Reilly and Abby Johnson combined for eight points in the second quarter to spark the Hawkettes to a come-from-behind 59-53 victory over visiting Valley, the defending state champion and the No. 12 team in Class 5A. Ankeny trailed, 19-7, before … [Read more...] about Hawkettes overcome 12-point deficit, beat defending 5A state champs