Ankeny Fanatic

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Micah Johnson

Bayless, McCullough, Crews, Johnson earn all-state honors from IPSWA

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Four of the state's top 24 boys' basketball players in Class 4A played for either state champion Ankeny or CIML Central Conference champ Ankeny Centennial, according to the Iowa Print Sports Writers Association. Senior guard Braxton Bayless of Ankeny and senior forward Cody McCullough of Centennial were both selected to the Class 4A all-state first team … [Read more...] about Bayless, McCullough, Crews, Johnson earn all-state honors from IPSWA

‘He’s an animal’: McCullough sets school record with 24 rebounds in Jaguars’ loss

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Bob Fontana got a little choked up following Friday's Class 4A consolation game at the boys' state basketball tournament. He knew he had coached the seniors on his Ankeny Centennial squad for the last time. "It's real tough with these guys because they've been so good," Fontana said following the Jaguars' 65-58 loss to Cedar Falls at Wells Fargo Arena. … [Read more...] about ‘He’s an animal’: McCullough sets school record with 24 rebounds in Jaguars’ loss

Jaguars tumble to Cedar Falls, finish 4th in their state tournament debut

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The Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team placed fourth in the Class 4A state tournament. The top-seeded Jaguars lost to two-time defending champion Cedar Falls, 65-58, in the consolation final on Friday at Wells Fargo Arena. They finished the best season in school history with a 24-3 record. "I'm very, very proud of these guys," said Centennial … [Read more...] about Jaguars tumble to Cedar Falls, finish 4th in their state tournament debut

‘They found a weakness in our defense’: Waukee boys avenge loss to Jaguars

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When the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team posted a 78-70 victory at Waukee on Jan. 28, the Jaguars looked like a legitimate state championship contender. The loss, though, may have benefited the Warriors as well. Waukee has since reeled off 13 consecutive wins and avenged that loss by defeating top-seeded Centennial, 68-62, in the Class 4A … [Read more...] about ‘They found a weakness in our defense’: Waukee boys avenge loss to Jaguars

‘We survived and advanced’: Jaguars hold off Davenport North in quarterfinals

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The fans of the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team held their collective breath in the final seconds of the Jaguars' first state tournament game ever. Eighth-seeded Davenport North had a chance to pull off a huge upset at the buzzer, but a 3-point shot by Mahki Jacobs bounced off the rim as time expired and top-ranked Centennial escaped with a 53-51 … [Read more...] about ‘We survived and advanced’: Jaguars hold off Davenport North in quarterfinals

Jaguars survive Davenport North’s upset bid, will play Waukee in semifinals

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Davenport North's Mahki Jacobs missed a 3-pointer at the buzzer and top-ranked Ankeny Centennial held on for a 53-51 victory in the Class 4A quarterfinals of the boys' state basketball tournament on Tuesday night at Wells Fargo Arena. "I was pretty scared on that last shot," said Centennial junior Jaron Crews. "I was guarding him, and from my position it … [Read more...] about Jaguars survive Davenport North’s upset bid, will play Waukee in semifinals

Jaguars avenge their only loss, move closer to Central Conference crown

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The Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team moved a step closer toward the CIML Central Conference title by avenging its only loss of the season. The fourth-ranked Jaguars closed out Friday's game on a 32-10 run to defeat visiting Dowling Catholic, 63-48. It was Centennial's ninth straight win since suffering a 68-55 loss at Dowling on Jan. 3. "We lost … [Read more...] about Jaguars avenge their only loss, move closer to Central Conference crown

‘They were more physical than us’: Dowling boys hand Jaguars their first loss

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The showdown for first place in the CIML Central Conference boys' basketball race was decided in the first 8 minutes of the game. Ninth-ranked Dowling Catholic jumped out to a 19-5 lead over No. 2 Ankeny Centennial and cruised to a 68-55 victory on Friday, handing the visiting Jaguars their first loss of the season. "You can't get down 14 points at the … [Read more...] about ‘They were more physical than us’: Dowling boys hand Jaguars their first loss

Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Micah Johnson, Centennial boys’ hoops

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Senior forward Micah Johnson scored 20 points and grabbed nine rebounds as the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team remained unbeaten with a 57-40 victory at Johnston on Friday. The Jaguars are now 1-0 in the CIML Central Conference and 4-0 overall. Johnson was a second-team all-conference pick a year ago, when he averaged 10.2 points and 5.8 rebounds. … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Micah Johnson, Centennial boys’ hoops

Johnson commits to Missouri school; McCullough will play for Wayne State

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Ankeny Centennial basketball standouts Micah Johnson and Cody McCullough both revealed their college choices within minutes of each other on Sunday night. Johnson has verbally committed to play for Missouri S & T, while McCullough is headed to Wayne State College. Both players announced their decisions via Twitter. "It was a hard decision," said … [Read more...] about Johnson commits to Missouri school; McCullough will play for Wayne State

Waukee boys pull away from Centennial with 17-0 run in final 5 minutes

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When the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team suffered a 62-42 loss at Ames on Feb. 2, the Jaguars' record dropped to 4-12 on the season. Centennial coach Bob Fontana addressed his players in the locker room after the team's seventh consecutive loss. "I told them, 'Don't trip over what's in the rear view mirror. Let's move on--we're 0-0 and let's … [Read more...] about Waukee boys pull away from Centennial with 17-0 run in final 5 minutes

Hawks lead from start to finish, complete sweep of crosstown rival

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With its four-guard lineup, the Ankeny boys' basketball team is almost always giving up some size to its opponents. But that makes the Hawks difficult to match up with as well. Ankeny again relied on its quickness to post a 61-51 victory at Ankeny Centennial on Friday, completing a sweep of the season series. The Hawks got 20 points from Braxton … [Read more...] about Hawks lead from start to finish, complete sweep of crosstown rival

Strong bench effort helps Centennial boys to win over Roughriders

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Micah Johnson sat on the bench as the final minutes ticked off the clock during Tuesday's boys' basketball game at Wells Fargo Arena. Johnson and the other Ankeny Centennial starters stood up and cheered as reserves Eugene Bukenya and Cade Macke each made a 3-point goal late in the game, helping the Jaguars to close out a 66-36 victory over host Des … [Read more...] about Strong bench effort helps Centennial boys to win over Roughriders

Jaguars roll past Lincoln in preview of substate opener

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The Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team didn't want to end the regular season with a four-game losing streak. Mission accomplished. The Jaguars jumped out to a 33-8 halftime lead and cruised to a 66-52 victory over visiting Des Moines Lincoln in a CIML non-conference game on Friday. The win snapped a three-game skid for Centennial, which improved … [Read more...] about Jaguars roll past Lincoln in preview of substate opener

Loss at Fort Dodge could cost Jaguars No. 2 seed in substate tourney

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Tuesday's loss at Fort Dodge could have some costly ramifications for the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team. The Jaguars suffered a 50-37 loss that ended their two-game winning streak and dropped their record to 12-6 on the season. The outcome could have an effect on the seedings for the Class 4A Substate 7 tournament, which will be determined on … [Read more...] about Loss at Fort Dodge could cost Jaguars No. 2 seed in substate tourney

STRAIT SHOOTER: Senior guard surpasses 1,000-point mark, leads Jaguars past Ames

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Ankeny Centennial's Hunter Strait entered Friday's game at Ames in search of a milestone. He left the gym with a much-needed victory as well. Strait scored 22 points to surpass the 1,000-point career mark and the Centennial boys' basketball team rallied in the second half to post a 59-51 victory over the Little Cyclones. "Hitting 1,000 points has … [Read more...] about STRAIT SHOOTER: Senior guard surpasses 1,000-point mark, leads Jaguars past Ames