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Scott DeJong

Centennial girls head to Pleasant Valley for 5A regional final

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Two of the state's best defensive teams will collide on Tuesday at Pleasant Valley with a trip to the girls' state basketball tournament at stake. The Class 5A Region 8 final will match seventh-ranked Pleasant Valley (21-0) against No. 10 Ankeny Centennial (14-7). Tip-off has been moved up to 6 p.m. due to the weather. "We know they're undefeated," … [Read more...] about Centennial girls head to Pleasant Valley for 5A regional final

‘We’re not done yet’: Centennial girls advance to regional final

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Kenna Sauer didn't want her basketball career to end on Saturday afternoon. The Missouri volleyball recruit scored a season-high 22 points and grabbed eight rebounds to lead the Ankeny Centennial girls' team to a 50-31 victory over visiting Sioux City East in a Class 5A regional semifinal. She also had two steals and a block. "We're not done yet," said … [Read more...] about ‘We’re not done yet’: Centennial girls advance to regional final

Jaguars stumble against Urbandale, will look to bounce back on Monday

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It's a good thing that the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team will play a make-up game at Des Moines East on Monday. The Jaguars would like to regain some momentum before the start of postseason play later next week. "We need to get out and play again," said Centennial coach Scott DeJong. The ninth-ranked Jaguars were coming off back-to-back … [Read more...] about Jaguars stumble against Urbandale, will look to bounce back on Monday

Jaguars rely on balanced scoring, rugged defense to beat Mason City

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One of the hallmarks of the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball program under coach Scott DeJong has been a rugged defense. The Jaguars typically try to wear down their opponents over the course of a 32-minute game. On Tuesday, Centennial's strategy may have benefited from a quirk in the schedule. Its opponent, Mason City, was coming off a 90-78 loss … [Read more...] about Jaguars rely on balanced scoring, rugged defense to beat Mason City

Centennial girls avenge loss to Ames behind Sauer’s double-double

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Kenna Sauer had a sour taste in her mouth following Friday's game at Johnston. Less than 24 hours later, she had a chance to do something about it. The senior forward tied a season-high with 17 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to lead the ninth-ranked Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team to a 47-39 victory at No. 14 Ames on Saturday. "(Friday) … [Read more...] about Centennial girls avenge loss to Ames behind Sauer’s double-double

Jaguars connect on just 11-of-46 shots in loss to No. 3 Johnston

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The recent frigid temperatures may have cooled off the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team. It took a late 3-point goal by reserve Jenny Hagg to prevent the Jaguars from setting a dubious record on Friday. Hagg connected from behind the arc with 45 seconds left to produce the final points of the game in Centennial's 46-27 loss at third-ranked … [Read more...] about Jaguars connect on just 11-of-46 shots in loss to No. 3 Johnston

Dinnebier, Warriors snap 7-game losing streak to Centennial girls

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The Waukee girls' basketball team finally found a way to beat Ankeny Centennial. The emergence of sophomore guard Katie Dinnebier had a lot to do with it. Dinnebier scored 18 of her 26 points in the second half to lead the eighth-ranked Warriors to a 63-52 victory at No. 11 Centennial on Saturday. The win snapped Waukee's seven-game losing streak … [Read more...] about Dinnebier, Warriors snap 7-game losing streak to Centennial girls

Jaguars overcome Clark’s 40 points, rally past Dowling for huge win

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Don't ever count out the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team. After scoring just 13 points in the first half of Friday's game at Dowling Catholic, the Jaguars appeared to be on their way to a loss that would have allowed third-ranked Johnston to clinch at least a share of the CIML Central Conference title. But a different Centennial team emerged … [Read more...] about Jaguars overcome Clark’s 40 points, rally past Dowling for huge win

Centennial girls roll past North for their 4th consecutive victory

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There won't be any more cupcakes on the schedule for the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team. The 12th-ranked Jaguars rolled to a 67-19 victory at Des Moines North on Tuesday, extending their winning streak to four games. But the schedule only gets tougher from here on out. Six of Centennial's seven remaining opponents are currently ranked. The … [Read more...] about Centennial girls roll past North for their 4th consecutive victory

Keahna-Harris emerges as major force in Jaguars’ victory over Ankeny

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In her first two seasons on the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team, forward Alexandria Keahna-Harris served as a role player for the Jaguars. Now, the 5-foot-10 junior is becoming a major force for coach Scott DeJong's squad. On Friday, Keahna-Harris scored a game-high 12 points and also grabbed six rebounds to lead the 12th-ranked Jaguars to a … [Read more...] about Keahna-Harris emerges as major force in Jaguars’ victory over Ankeny

Centennial girls make 9 3-pointers, roll to victory over Marshalltown

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When the Marshalltown girls' basketball team opened Tuesday's game at Ankeny Centennial in a 1-3-1 zone defense, it created some scoring opportunities for the Jaguars' Meg Burns. Burns, a junior guard, made 5-of-9 attempts from 3-point range and scored 15 points to help the 12th-ranked Jaguars to a 70-19 victory in a CIML crossover game. "We haven't … [Read more...] about Centennial girls make 9 3-pointers, roll to victory over Marshalltown

Jaguars rally past No. 2 Johnston, earn smoothies from DeJong

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The Johnston girls' basketball team had a chance on Friday to move closer to the CIML Central Conference championship. After leading most of the way, however, the visiting Dragons couldn't put Ankeny Centennial away. The 12th-ranked Jaguars rallied in the final 2 minutes for a 50-48 victory, handing No. 2 Johnston its first conference loss. Meg Burns … [Read more...] about Jaguars rally past No. 2 Johnston, earn smoothies from DeJong

Urbandale girls hold off Centennial to earn first conference victory

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During the preseason, Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball coach Scott DeJong pointed out the strength of the six teams in the CIML Central Conference. "Legitimately, you could finish fifth or sixth in our conference and be a strong state tournament contender," DeJong said. On Friday, Urbandale showed that DeJong knew what he was talking about. The … [Read more...] about Urbandale girls hold off Centennial to earn first conference victory

Jaguars hit the boards, shut down Clark and roll to 62-40 victory

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If there was one play that summed up the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team's victory over visiting Dowling Catholic on Tuesday, it came in the final minute of the game. The 10th-ranked Jaguars were already ahead by 20 points when senior Rachel Schon stepped to the free-throw line for a bonus opportunity. Her first attempt bounced off the back of … [Read more...] about Jaguars hit the boards, shut down Clark and roll to 62-40 victory

Cold-shooting Centennial girls tumble to Little Cyclones

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On most nights, the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team relies on a stingy defense to give the 10th-ranked Jaguars an opportunity to defeat nearly any opponent. However, if Centennial's shots aren't falling, then the Jaguars' defensive effort can only take them so far. Coach Scott DeJong's team shot just 28 percent from the field (12-of-43) and … [Read more...] about Cold-shooting Centennial girls tumble to Little Cyclones

Jaguars hungry for more after beating Roosevelt at Wells Fargo Arena

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Cleao Murray was a sixth grader back in 2016 when the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team captured the Class 5A state championship. "It's always been a dream of mine to make it to state and to play here at Wells Fargo Arena," Murray said. On Tuesday, Murray got a chance to play on the state tournament court for the first time. The freshman guard … [Read more...] about Jaguars hungry for more after beating Roosevelt at Wells Fargo Arena

Jaguars overcome slow start, pull away from Ankeny in 2nd half

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Ankeny Centennial's Rachel Schon has yet to lose a game to Ankeny during her high school basketball career. She'd like to keep it that way. Schon scored 16 of her 18 points in the second half as the 10th-ranked Jaguars pulled away on Friday for a 49-27 victory at No. 13 Ankeny. The Jaguars improved to 11-0 all-time in the series. "It's so fun … [Read more...] about Jaguars overcome slow start, pull away from Ankeny in 2nd half

Young takes over in 2nd half, leads No. 4 Valley girls past Jaguars

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At times on Tuesday, the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team forced Valley star Zoe Young into a turnover or a missed shot. Whenever the Jaguars threatened to take the lead, however, the Maryland recruit came up with a huge play for the fourth-ranked Tigers. Young scored 19 of her 29 points in the second half to lead Valley to a 63-50 victory at … [Read more...] about Young takes over in 2nd half, leads No. 4 Valley girls past Jaguars