Ankeny Fanatic

Your Ankeny Sports Resource

Savannah Gage

‘I’m proud of these girls’: Hawkettes fall short against Valley in regional final

by

When Karsen Jacks made a tough shot in the lane with 3 minutes 4 seconds left in Tuesday's Class 5A regional final, the Ankeny girls' basketball team appeared to be on the verge of qualifying for the state tournament for the first time since the split into two high schools in 2013. Jacks' basket gave the eighth-ranked Hawkettes a 34-29 lead over visiting … [Read more...] about ‘I’m proud of these girls’: Hawkettes fall short against Valley in regional final

Hawkettes roll past C.R. Kennedy, will host Valley for trip to state tournament

by

For the fourth year in a row, the Ankeny girls' basketball team is just one win away from a trip to the state tournament. This time, the Hawkettes will get to host the regional final. Eighth-ranked Ankeny opened postseason play on Saturday with a 58-40 victory over visiting Cedar Rapids Kennedy in a Class 5A regional semifinal. The Cougars finished the … [Read more...] about Hawkettes roll past C.R. Kennedy, will host Valley for trip to state tournament

Hawkettes rally past Valley in 4th period, lock up No. 1 seed in Class 5A Region 8

by

The eighth-ranked Ankeny girls' basketball team traveled to Valley on Friday for its regular-season finale and handed the No. 9 Tigers a damaging loss. An injury to standout post player Elise Jaeger could spell even more trouble for Valley with postseason play starting next week. Jaeger, a Northern Iowa recruit, scored 10 points before leaving the game … [Read more...] about Hawkettes rally past Valley in 4th period, lock up No. 1 seed in Class 5A Region 8

‘She’s a clutch player’: Blackmore’s late trey seals Jaguars’ win over Ankeny

by

There's something about the Ankeny girls' basketball team that brings out the best in Ankeny Centennial's Finley Blackmore. The fifth-ranked Jaguars were clinging to a 47-45 lead on Friday at No. 8 Ankeny when Blackmore, a junior guard, made a 3-point goal from the left corner with 1 minute 15 seconds left. Her squad went on to post a 53-45 … [Read more...] about ‘She’s a clutch player’: Blackmore’s late trey seals Jaguars’ win over Ankeny

‘We just found our groove’: Gage’s late heroics lift Ankeny girls past Wolves

by

Savannah Gage and the Ankeny girls' basketball team have found their mojo. Gage scored 11 consecutive points over the final 2 minutes 55 seconds and the ninth-ranked Hawkettes held off No. 10 Waukee Northwest, 50-45, in a CIML Conference game on Friday at Ankeny. The win snapped a two-game losing skid for Ankeny, which had shot just 20.7 percent … [Read more...] about ‘We just found our groove’: Gage’s late heroics lift Ankeny girls past Wolves

‘It was a whole team effort’: Centennial girls hold off Hawkettes in rivalry thriller

by

Mya Crawford and her teammates on the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball squad didn't want to go into the holiday break with another CIML Conference loss. Crawford scored a game-high 18 points and forced a big turnover in the final seconds as the Jaguars held on for a 50-49 victory over visiting Ankeny on Tuesday. The win allowed sixth-ranked Centennial … [Read more...] about ‘It was a whole team effort’: Centennial girls hold off Hawkettes in rivalry thriller

Gage shakes off rust, scores season-high 27 in Ankeny girls’ victory over Wolves

by

It didn't take long for Savannah Gage to shake off the rust. The junior guard scored a season-high 27 points on Tuesday to lead the eighth-ranked Ankeny girls' basketball team to a 79-61 victory at No. 12 Waukee Northwest. It was Gage's fourth game back after recovering from a torn ACL. She had averaged 10 points in her first three games. "It's … [Read more...] about Gage shakes off rust, scores season-high 27 in Ankeny girls’ victory over Wolves

Gage returns to lineup, helps Williams, Hawkettes to historic win at S.E. Polk

by

Perhaps nobody was more excited to have Savannah Gage back on the court than her Ankeny girls' basketball teammate Jayla Williams. Williams poured in a career-high 32 points, Gage chipped in 10 in her first start of the season, and the eighth-ranked Hawkettes posted a 62-56 victory at No. 11 Southeast Polk on Tuesday for their first win over the Rams … [Read more...] about Gage returns to lineup, helps Williams, Hawkettes to historic win at S.E. Polk

‘The school is amazing’: Ankeny’s Gage commits to play hoops at St. Thomas

by

Ankeny girls' basketball standout Savannah Gage has had more time to consider her college options while she recovers from an ACL Injury. On Saturday, the junior-to-be announced her verbal commitment to the University of St. Thomas in the Twin Cities. "I had several different opportunities to play at the Division I level, and I am grateful for each and … [Read more...] about ‘The school is amazing’: Ankeny’s Gage commits to play hoops at St. Thomas

Ankeny boys’ hoops assistant Tobey named head girls’ basketball coach

by

The new head coach of the Ankeny girls' basketball team is very familiar with the Hawkettes' program. Nate Tobey has been hired to replace Dru McAnelly. He spent the last seven seasons as an assistant for the Ankeny boys' team. "I don't see any reason why we can't compete at the highest level in the CIML," said Tobey. "I'm just looking forward to … [Read more...] about Ankeny boys’ hoops assistant Tobey named head girls’ basketball coach

Pitz earns repeat all-state honors from IGCA; Gage, Pratt also recognized

by

Ankeny basketball standout Jenna Pitz has received all-state honors from the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association for the second straight year. Pitz, a senior guard, was a repeat selection to the Class 5A third team. She was joined on that squad by sophomore forward Jaeden Pratt of Ankeny Centennial. Pitz's teammate, Savannah Gage, was named to the Class 5A … [Read more...] about Pitz earns repeat all-state honors from IGCA; Gage, Pratt also recognized

YOUTH MOVEMENT: Gage, Pratt among 6 sophs to earn Class 5A all-state honors

by

The future looks very bright for Class 5A girls' basketball in the state of Iowa. Six sophomores and a pair of freshmen were among the players named to the Class 5A all-state teams by the Iowa Print Sports Writers Association, who selected the squads during a meeting on Saturday in conjunction with a panel of coaches. Ankeny star Savannah Gage and … [Read more...] about YOUTH MOVEMENT: Gage, Pratt among 6 sophs to earn Class 5A all-state honors

Hawkettes’ valiant effort falls short in regional final at No. 5 Davenport North

by

Ankeny's dream of qualifying for the girls' state basketball tournament will have to wait at least another year. The 12th-ranked Hawkettes led for much of the game before falling at No. 5 Davenport North, 65-61, in a Class 5A regional final on Tuesday. The Wildcats (21-2) advanced to next week's state tournament at Wells Fargo Arena, while Ankeny finished … [Read more...] about Hawkettes’ valiant effort falls short in regional final at No. 5 Davenport North

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Savannah Gage, Ankeny girls’ basketball

by

Sophomore guard Savannah Gage scored 22 points to lead the 12th-ranked Ankeny girls' basketball team to a 56-54 victory over visiting Waukee Northwest in a Class 5A regional semifinal on Saturday. She had 17 of her points in the first half. Gage has helped the Hawkettes to a 12-10 record. She is averaging 16.3 points per game and leads the team with 29 … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Savannah Gage, Ankeny girls’ basketball

‘It was huge’: Gage, Hawkettes dominate final 4 minutes to earn road win over NW

by

If the Ankeny girls' basketball team hopes to finish the season with a winning record, Friday's contest at Waukee Northwest was a must-win game. The 14th-ranked Hawkettes got what they needed with a 59-52 victory, allowing them to sweep the season series. They improved to 4-9 in the CIML Conference and 9-9 overall with three games left in the regular … [Read more...] about ‘It was huge’: Gage, Hawkettes dominate final 4 minutes to earn road win over NW

Waukee girls win seesaw battle against Ankeny, despite Gage’s career-high 29

by

In the rugged CIML Conference, even an unranked team like Waukee could be a threat to make a deep run in the girls' basketball postseason. The Warriors showed how dangerous they could potentially be on Friday, when they posted a 69-58 victory at 13th-ranked Ankeny. They avenged an earlier 46-42 loss to the Hawkettes. "They did a really good job of … [Read more...] about Waukee girls win seesaw battle against Ankeny, despite Gage’s career-high 29

Motivated Jaguars dominate boards, roll past Ankeny to avenge last year’s loss

by

Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball coach Scott DeJong didn't have to remind his players what happened the last time the Jaguars played at crosstown rival Ankeny. Last February, the Hawkettes posted a 49-45 victory to defeat Centennial for the first time ever. "That was definitely some extra motivation," Centennial senior Averi Porter said after the … [Read more...] about Motivated Jaguars dominate boards, roll past Ankeny to avenge last year’s loss

Dowling girls edge Hawkettes on Muller’s 3-point play with 2 seconds left

by

Any scouting report on the Dowling Catholic girls' basketball team is going to start with the Maroons' best player, point guard Ava Zediker. But it was Dowling's supporting cast--and freshman post player Ellie Muller in particular--who proved to be the difference on Friday. Muller converted a 3-point play with 2 seconds left to give the 11th-ranked … [Read more...] about Dowling girls edge Hawkettes on Muller’s 3-point play with 2 seconds left

‘We were ready to play from the jump!’: Ankeny girls romp past Indianola

by

A year ago, the Ankeny girls' basketball team trailed by nine points at halftime and went on to suffer a 54-47 loss at Indianola. The Hawkettes were determined to get off to a better start in Monday's rematch. Tenth-ranked Ankeny jumped out to a 13-2 lead in the non-conference game and cruised to a 76-41 victory over visiting Indianola, the No. 10 … [Read more...] about ‘We were ready to play from the jump!’: Ankeny girls romp past Indianola