(Story by Stephen McDaniel) When the buzzer sounded at the end of the third quarter, the Ankeny girls' basketball team was still within striking distance of second-ranked Dowling Catholic. But sometimes when it rains, it pours. The Maroons proceeded to go on a 17-2 in the fourth quarter to turn Ankeny’s eight-point deficit into a 50-27 home loss to … [Read more...] about ‘Dowling makes it really hard’: Maroons pull away from Ankeny girls in 4th quarter
Nate Tobey
Hot-shooting Hawkettes celebrate their Senior Night with rout over Urbandale
For the second time this season, the Ankeny girls' basketball team used a fast start to ignite a rout over Urbandale. The 15th-ranked Hawkettes raced out to a 23-5 lead at the end of the first quarter and went on to post a 79-36 victory Friday on their Senior Night. The win snapped … [Read more...] about Hot-shooting Hawkettes celebrate their Senior Night with rout over Urbandale
Williams, Hawkettes battle No. 3 Waukee NW to the wire, but upset bid falls short
In its previous six games against the top four teams in the CIML Conference and Class 5A, the Ankeny girls' basketball squad had lost by an average of 21.7 points. On Monday night, the 15th-ranked Hawkettes nearly knocked off one of the league's heavyweights. Ankeny led for much of the second half before No. 3 Waukee … [Read more...] about Williams, Hawkettes battle No. 3 Waukee NW to the wire, but upset bid falls short
Hawkettes contain Zediker, but Dowling finds other ways to score in 60-40 victory
Dowling Catholic star Ava Zediker was held scoreless for nearly 11 minutes in Friday's girls' basketball game against visiting Ankeny. The Creighton recruit went on to score just six points on 2-of-9 shooting--nearly 13 below her average. "That was part of our plan to try to take away Ava," said Ankeny coach Nate Tobey. "It's easier … [Read more...] about Hawkettes contain Zediker, but Dowling finds other ways to score in 60-40 victory
Hawkettes connect on 11 3-point goals in win over Indianola, will face Dowling next
The Ankeny girls' basketball team struggled from the 3-point line during Friday's one-point loss to Southeast Polk, making just 7-of-29 attempts from behind the arc (24.1 percent). The 15th-ranked Hawkettes found their shooting stroke on Monday. Ankeny connected on 11-of-28 3-pointers (39.3 percent) and rolled to a 65-33 victory over visiting Indianola … [Read more...] about Hawkettes connect on 11 3-point goals in win over Indianola, will face Dowling next
Just like last month, Hawkettes’ late rally falls short in loss to S.E. Polk girls
Nobody could blame Ankeny girls' basketball coach Nate Tobey for thinking that Friday was Groundhog Day. The 15th-ranked Hawkettes dropped a 49-48 decision to visiting Southeast Polk in a CIML Conference game that was eerily similar to last month's meeting in Pleasant Hill, where the No. 14 Rams nearly blew an 18-point lead before holding on for a 61-55 … [Read more...] about Just like last month, Hawkettes’ late rally falls short in loss to S.E. Polk girls
‘It was a team effort on both ends’: Ankeny girls roll past Class 4A No. 5 DC-Grimes
Playing in the rugged CIML Conference prepared the Ankeny girls' basketball team for Tuesday's non-conference road trip to Dallas Center-Grimes. One of the top teams in Class 4A was no match for the 15th-ranked Hawkettes. Ankeny jumped out to an early lead, built a double-digit halftime advantage and cruised to a 54-33 victory over the No. 5 … [Read more...] about ‘It was a team effort on both ends’: Ankeny girls roll past Class 4A No. 5 DC-Grimes
No. 1 Johnston girls win rematch against Hawkettes, extend winning streak to 39
(Story by Stephen McDaniel) When it comes to a foot race, there’s just not a lot of girls' basketball teams in the state of Iowa that can keep up with the top-ranked Johnston Dragons. The No. 15 Ankeny squad felt like they played a much better game in their second matchup against the defending Class 5A state champions, but the Hawkettes' firepower just … [Read more...] about No. 1 Johnston girls win rematch against Hawkettes, extend winning streak to 39
‘They were having fun out there’: Ankeny girls avenge earlier loss to No. 8 Waukee
This was the Ankeny girls' basketball team that was eighth in Class 5A in the preseason rankings and moved up to sixth after a 4-0 start. The now-No. 15 Hawkettes overcame an early nine-point deficit to beat No. 8 Waukee, 57-45, in a CIML Conference game on Tuesday at Ankeny. It was the second straight win for coach Nate Tobey's squad following a … [Read more...] about ‘They were having fun out there’: Ankeny girls avenge earlier loss to No. 8 Waukee
Gage surpasses 1,000-point milestone, leads Ankeny past Tigers to end skid
(Story by Stephen McDaniel) Over the course of her career, Savannah Gage has scored countless baskets and accumulated many points in the process. But her 14 points on Friday night gave the Ankeny girls' basketball team more than one reason to celebrate. Gage not only helped the 15th-ranked Hawkettes snap a seven-game losing streak in a 52-49 win over … [Read more...] about Gage surpasses 1,000-point milestone, leads Ankeny past Tigers to end skid
‘It felt so relieving’: Smith’s late 3-pointers seal Jaguars’ victory over Ankeny girls
The shots weren't falling on Tuesday night for Tillie Smith. But her teammates on the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball squad told her to keep shooting, and the advice paid off. The senior guard made just 2-of-9 shots from the field and went 2-of-8 from behind the arc, but she connected on a pair of 3-point goals in the final 3 minutes as the … [Read more...] about ‘It felt so relieving’: Smith’s late 3-pointers seal Jaguars’ victory over Ankeny girls
No. 3 Wolves use fast start to hand Ankeny girls their 6th consecutive loss
(Story by Stephen McDaniel) The new year has arrived, and the Ankeny girls' basketball team is still working on righting the ship following its 4-0 start to the season. The 15th-ranked Hawkettes looked to snap the five-game losing skid that they ended 2024 with, but a road matchup against No. 3 Waukee Northwest on Friday ended with a 70-49 loss that … [Read more...] about No. 3 Wolves use fast start to hand Ankeny girls their 6th consecutive loss
Cold-shooting Ankeny girls tumble to Cedar Falls for 5th consecutive loss
The holiday break is coming at a good time for the Ankeny girls' basketball team. The 15th-ranked Hawkettes suffered their fifth straight loss on Thursday, dropping a 41-37 decision to visiting Cedar Falls. Junior guard Karis Finley, a Drake recruit, scored 16 points as the No. 10 Tigers (6-2) won their third consecutive game. "We just played five … [Read more...] about Cold-shooting Ankeny girls tumble to Cedar Falls for 5th consecutive loss
After trailing by 18 points, Hawkettes’ furious rally falls just short at S.E. Polk
A dramatic rally by the Ankeny girls' basketball team came up just short on Tuesday at Southeast Polk. The sixth-ranked Hawkettes nearly overcame an 18-point deficit in the fourth quarter before No. 14 Southeast Polk held on for a 61-55 victory in a CIML Conference matchup. The Rams improved to 2-2 in the league and 3-3 overall, while Ankeny's records … [Read more...] about After trailing by 18 points, Hawkettes’ furious rally falls just short at S.E. Polk
Waukee girls use big 3rd quarter to hand No. 6 Hawkettes their 3rd straight loss
(Story by Stephen McDaniel) After starting off the season with a 4-0 record, a three-game losing streak wasn’t what the Ankeny girls' basketball team was hoping for heading into its final two contests of 2024. The sixth-ranked Hawkettes had a chance to get back into the win column in a top-10 matchup against No. 10 Waukee, but a cold stretch coming out … [Read more...] about Waukee girls use big 3rd quarter to hand No. 6 Hawkettes their 3rd straight loss
No. 1 Johnston girls extend their winning streak to 30 games with victory at Ankeny
(Story by Stephen McDaniel) The Ankeny girls' basketball team is getting some big tests in December, and none was bigger than Tuesday night's. The seventh-ranked Hawkettes were tasked with trying to snap the 29-game winning streak of reigning Class 5A state champion Johnston, but a large deficit in the first quarter ended those hopes as the No. 1 … [Read more...] about No. 1 Johnston girls extend their winning streak to 30 games with victory at Ankeny
‘It was definitely a little bit weird’: Baldwin, Hawkettes defeat Valley for 4-0 start
(Story by Stephen McDaniel) For junior forward Reagan Baldwin, it felt a little weird being the opposition rather than the home team inside the Valley High School gym. Baldwin, who transferred to Ankeny from Valley after her sophomore season, stepped foot back in her old stomping grounds on Tuesday and played a key role in helping the eighth-ranked … [Read more...] about ‘It was definitely a little bit weird’: Baldwin, Hawkettes defeat Valley for 4-0 start
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 286
In the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by Coldwell Banker Mid-America and Revive Clinic and Spa, publisher Dan Holm breaks down the start of the girls' basketball season with coach Scott DeJong and senior Tillie Smith of Ankeny Centennial along with coach Nate Tobey, senior Savannah Gage and junior Jayla Williams of Ankeny. … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 286
‘I’m having a lot of fun’: Baldwin helps Hawkettes past Des Moines Christian
It's been a smooth transition onto the Ankeny girls' basketball team for former Valley player Reagan Baldwin. The junior forward scored nine points on Monday to help the eighth-ranked Hawkettes to a 50-36 victory in a non-conference game at Des Moines Christian. "I'm having a lot of fun playing with everyone," said Baldwin. Baldwin has averaged nine … [Read more...] about ‘I’m having a lot of fun’: Baldwin helps Hawkettes past Des Moines Christian
‘We made progress with our focus areas’: Deeper Hawkettes rout Ames in opener
Saturday's season opener against visiting Ames showed that the Ankeny girls' basketball team will have a deeper bench than it did a year ago. The eighth-ranked Hawkettes got solid contributions from many different players in a 66-28 victory in the non-conference game. "Overall, we made progress with our focus areas for the season," said Ankeny coach … [Read more...] about ‘We made progress with our focus areas’: Deeper Hawkettes rout Ames in opener