Ankeny Fanatic

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Sara McCullough

Schon, McCullough earn all-state honors from IGCA, IPSWA

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The Central Iowa Metropolitan League dominated the Class 5A state tournament last week, placing seven of its schools in the eight-team field. Now, the CIML has dominated the Class 5A all-state teams by the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association. The league boasts six of the eight first-team selections and 15 of the 24 all-staters overall. Seniors Rachel Schon … [Read more...] about Schon, McCullough earn all-state honors from IGCA, IPSWA

McCullough, Schon to play in Larry Niemeyer Senior All-Star Game

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For the last four seasons, Sara McCullough of Ankeny and Rachel Schon of Ankeny Centennial have been rivals on the basketball court. For one weekend next month, the two seniors will become teammates. Both McCullough and Schon have been selected to play in the Larry Niemeyer Senior All-Star Game on April 6-7 at Kirkwood Community College in Cedar … [Read more...] about McCullough, Schon to play in Larry Niemeyer Senior All-Star Game

McCullough scores 1,000th career point in Hawkettes’ season-ending loss to East

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Dru McAnelly is a big fan of the Iowa Hawkeyes, who defeated Rutgers on Saturday on a miracle 3-pointer at the buzzer. About 30 minutes before Joe Weiskamp banked in the game-winner for the Hawkeyes from the corner, McAnelly's Ankeny girls' basketball team was in a similar position, down two points with the ball in the final seconds. However, the … [Read more...] about McCullough scores 1,000th career point in Hawkettes’ season-ending loss to East

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 hold off Roosevelt’s rally for much-needed win

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Ankeny girls' basketball coach Dru McAnelly breathed a sigh of relief following Monday's game against visiting Des Moines Roosevelt. The Hawkettes built a 16-point lead in the first half before holding on down the stretch for a 56-52 victory. It was just their second win in the last nine games since sophomore forward Abby Johnson suffered a deep bone … [Read more...] about Hawkettes hold off Roosevelt’s rally for much-needed win

McAnelly: Hawkettes ‘learn valuable lesson’ in 71-43 loss to No. 4 Valley

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The Ankeny girls' basketball team ran into a buzzsaw on Tuesday at Valley. The fourth-ranked Tigers raced out to a 31-7 lead in the first half and cruised to a 71-43 victory over No. 15 Ankeny. The Hawkettes lost for the seventh time in their last nine games, dropping to 6-8 on the season. "It was kind of Southeast Polk all over again," said Ankeny … [Read more...] about McAnelly: Hawkettes ‘learn valuable lesson’ in 71-43 loss to No. 4 Valley

Revive Clinic and Spa Preps of the Week: Hoop stars Cody and Sara McCullough

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Cousins Sara and Cody McCullough have grown up on the opposite sides of Ankeny's crosstown rivalry. Sara, a senior forward, is the leading scorer and rebounder for the Ankeny girls' basketball team, which dropped a 47-32 decision at Ankeny Centennial on Friday. The Northern Iowa recruit has averaged 13.8 points and 8.4 rebounds per game while helping the … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Preps of the Week: Hoop stars Cody and Sara McCullough

Hawkettes lead most of the way before falling at No. 2 Johnston

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The Ankeny girls' basketball team nearly pulled off a monumental upset on Friday. Instead, the Hawkettes had to settle for a moral victory. "I couldn't be more proud of a group of girls," Ankeny coach Dru McAnelly said after his team led most of the way before dropping a 66-64 decision at second-ranked Johnston. "Coming in to play the No. 2 team in the … [Read more...] about Hawkettes lead most of the way before falling at No. 2 Johnston

McCullough racks up 21 points, 17 rebounds in Hawkettes’ victory

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The Des Moines Lincoln girls' basketball team didn't have an answer for Ankeny's Sara McCullough. McCullough recorded a double-double by halftime of Tuesday's game at Ankeny, racking up 13 points and 10 rebounds. The Northern Iowa recruit finished with 21 points and 17 rebounds as the Hawkettes rolled to a 74-39 victory. "Sara got going early," said … [Read more...] about McCullough racks up 21 points, 17 rebounds in Hawkettes’ victory

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

Jaguars, Hawkettes ready for showdowns against WDM rivals

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The second-ranked Ankeny Centennial volleyball team will face a familiar opponent in the quarterfinals of the Class 5A state tournament on Tuesday. So will sixth-ranked Ankeny. The Jaguars (38-3) will play No. 7 Dowling Catholic (29-12) at noon on Court Two at the U.S. Cellular Center in Cedar Rapids. The match will be followed by a showdown between … [Read more...] about Jaguars, Hawkettes ready for showdowns against WDM rivals

Hawkettes punch their ticket to Cedar Rapids with sweep over Ames

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After being swept off its own court by Ankeny Centennial four weeks ago, the Ankeny volleyball team needed to regroup. The sixth-ranked Hawkettes have done just that, winning eight of their last nine matches and punching their ticket to the Class 5A state tournament with a 25-12, 25-20, 25-11 victory over visiting Ames in a regional final on Monday. "I … [Read more...] about Hawkettes punch their ticket to Cedar Rapids with sweep over Ames

Hawkettes rally past Waverly-Shell Rock to claim Boone Invitational title

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A few days of hard work on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday resulted in a tournament title for the Ankeny volleyball team on Saturday. The sixth-ranked Hawkettes rallied from a one-set deficit to beat Waverly-Shell Rock, 19-25, 25-18, 15-8, in the championship match of the Boone Invitational. It was Ankeny's 10th victory over a ranked opponent--the Go-Hawks … [Read more...] about Hawkettes rally past Waverly-Shell Rock to claim Boone Invitational title

Middle hitters spark Hawkettes to sweep over Mason City

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The Ankeny volleyball team showed off its depth Tuesday en route to a non-conference win at Mason City. The seventh-ranked Hawkettes rolled to a 25-21, 25-7, 25-20 victory to raise their overall record to 8-6. "I think the highlight of the night for us was the ability to get some of our subs in the match and see them perform at a high level as well," … [Read more...] about Middle hitters spark Hawkettes to sweep over Mason City

No. 6 Hawkettes are undersized, but still boast plenty of potential

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On paper, the Ankeny volleyball team doesn't appear to match up with some of the CIML's top squads, including its crosstown rival. A closer look, though, reveals a scrappy and talented team that should be able to compete with just about any opponent on its schedule. The Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union did not make the mistake of underestimating … [Read more...] about No. 6 Hawkettes are undersized, but still boast plenty of potential

McCullough, Olson earn all-state honors from Iowa Girls’ Coaches Association

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Ankeny's Sara McCullough and Ankeny Centennial's Chloe Olson have received all-state basketball honors from the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association. McCullough, a junior forward, was named to the Class 5A second team. She averaged 16.2 points and 7.0 rebounds per game while leading the Hawkettes to an 11-12 record, their best season since the split into two … [Read more...] about McCullough, Olson earn all-state honors from Iowa Girls’ Coaches Association

McCullough, Olson named to Ankeny Fanatic’s all-CIML second team

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  Although Monday was a rough day for the CIML at the girls' state basketball tournament, the 18-team conference still boasts some of the best talent in the state. And much of that talent will be coming back next year. Four of the five players named to Ankeny Fanatic's all-CIML first team are underclassmen. Four of the five second-team players … [Read more...] about McCullough, Olson named to Ankeny Fanatic’s all-CIML second team

McAnelly tells Hawkettes, ‘Don’t you dare put your heads down’ after season-ending loss

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The Dowling Catholic girls' basketball team entered Tuesday's Class 5A regional final against visiting Ankeny as a prohibitive favorite. That didn't make the Hawkettes' season-ending loss any easier to swallow. The third-ranked Maroons got 30 points from sophomore sensation Caitlin Clark and pulled away in the second half for a 68-41 victory to advance … [Read more...] about McAnelly tells Hawkettes, ‘Don’t you dare put your heads down’ after season-ending loss