Ankeny Fanatic

Your Ankeny Sports Resource

Scott DeJong

Pratt’s foul trouble proves costly as Jags fall to Waukee for 4th consecutive loss

by

When Ankeny Centennial's Jaeden Pratt went to the bench with her third foul during the first half of Friday's game against visiting Waukee, the CIML Conference girls' basketball contest started to slip away from the sixth-ranked Jaguars. No. 5 Waukee extended its lead to 27-18 at halftime and went on to post a 51-37 victory over Centennial, which has now … [Read more...] about Pratt’s foul trouble proves costly as Jags fall to Waukee for 4th consecutive loss

‘We had a real matchup problem’: No. 1 Johnston hands Jaguars 3rd straight loss

by

The search for more offensive production continues for the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team. The fifth-ranked Jaguars shot just 31.8 percent (14-of-44) and dropped a 64-37 decision at No. 1 Johnston on Tuesday, suffering a third straight loss for only the third time in program history. They have averaged just 31.7 points over the last three games, … [Read more...] about ‘We had a real matchup problem’: No. 1 Johnston hands Jaguars 3rd straight loss

‘We struggled to get points’: Jaguars tumble to No. 2 Valley in defensive battle

by

The Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team just couldn't find the basket. The fifth-ranked Jaguars shot just 21.7 percent from the field (10-of-46) and lost to No. 2 Valley, 35-24, in a CIML Conference game on Friday at Centennial. It was the team's lowest offensive output in program history under coach Scott DeJong. The previous low was 26 points in … [Read more...] about ‘We struggled to get points’: Jaguars tumble to No. 2 Valley in defensive battle

‘Give Dowling credit’: No. 6 Maroons hand cold-shooting Centennial its first loss

by

(Story by Gabe Ploeger) The Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team just couldn’t get the shots to fall. Sixth-ranked Dowling Catholic outscored No. 2 Centennial in all four quarters and cruised to a 60-34 win over the visiting Jaguars on Friday. The Maroons bounced back from a 55-42 loss to No. 5 Valley on Tuesday, which could be a sign of things to … [Read more...] about ‘Give Dowling credit’: No. 6 Maroons hand cold-shooting Centennial its first loss

Centennial girls dominate boards, force 26 turnovers in victory at Urbandale

by

On a night when the shots weren't falling at a high rate for the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team, the Jaguars found other ways to dominate their opponent. Fifth-ranked Centennial racked up a 48-19 rebounding advantage and also forced 26 turnovers en route to a 75-33 victory at Urbandale in its CIML Conference opener on Tuesday. The Jaguars … [Read more...] about Centennial girls dominate boards, force 26 turnovers in victory at Urbandale

‘This was a huge win’: Late rally allows Jaguars to knock off No. 2 Pleasant Valley

by

This wasn't just another November victory for the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team. The fifth-ranked Jaguars scored the final nine points of the game and rallied to beat No. 2 Pleasant Valley, 44-40, on Saturday in Cedar Rapids. The contest was part of the 19th Rivalry Saturday held on the campus of Kirkwood Community College. "To go to a … [Read more...] about ‘This was a huge win’: Late rally allows Jaguars to knock off No. 2 Pleasant Valley

Hot-shooting Jaguars rout Roosevelt, will face No. 2 Pleasant Valley on Saturday

by

The Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team won't have many games like Tuesday's season opener against visiting Des Moines Roosevelt. Perhaps the fifth-ranked Jaguars won't have any like it. Centennial raced out to a 54-6 halftime lead and rolled to a 73-18 victory over the Roughriders in a non-conference game. "We shot the ball well. We were … [Read more...] about Hot-shooting Jaguars rout Roosevelt, will face No. 2 Pleasant Valley on Saturday

‘They have lots of abilities they bring to the table’: Pratt, Crawford to lead Jaguars

by

When the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team opens its season on Tuesday with a non-conference game against visiting Des Moines Roosevelt, the Jaguars will start a lineup consisting of five underclassmen. That's because there are no seniors on the squad's roster. "I do think we have had (this situation) before, but rarely," said Centennial coach … [Read more...] about ‘They have lots of abilities they bring to the table’: Pratt, Crawford to lead Jaguars

‘We just came up short’: Jaguars suffer late scoring drought, tumble to Johnston

by

Thursday morning's Class 5A semifinal showdown between second-ranked Johnston and No. 6 Ankeny Centennial turned into a backyard brawl at the girls' state basketball tournament. Playing for the third time this season, the CIML Conference rivals waged a fierce defensive battle before the Dragons scored the final six points of the game to emerge with a … [Read more...] about ‘We just came up short’: Jaguars suffer late scoring drought, tumble to Johnston

SWEET REVENGE: Jaguars oust No. 3 Waterloo West, will play Johnston next

by

A year ago, the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team ended its season with a loss to Waterloo West in the Class 5A quarterfinals. On Monday at Wells Fargo Arena, the Jaguars returned the favor. Sixth-seeded Centennial got 20 points from senior guard Makenna Clark and defeated No. 3 Waterloo West, 60-51, on the opening day of the state … [Read more...] about SWEET REVENGE: Jaguars oust No. 3 Waterloo West, will play Johnston next

IT’S A THREEPEAT!: Centennial girls hold off Linn-Mar, earn another trip to state

by

The seniors on the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team got one last chance to play on their home court Tuesday night. They didn't want it to be their final game. Kennedy White scored 11 points, Averi Porter dished out six assists and Makenna Clark made a pair of 3-point goals to help the sixth-ranked Jaguars to a 35-32 victory over No. 11 Linn-Mar … [Read more...] about IT’S A THREEPEAT!: Centennial girls hold off Linn-Mar, earn another trip to state

Jaguars rout Urbandale again, will host Linn-Mar for trip to 5A state tournament

by

The Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team has never qualified for the state tournament in three consecutive seasons. The sixth-ranked Jaguars moved a step closer toward doing just that with a 60-19 victory over visiting Urbandale in a Class 5A regional semifinal on Saturday. They raced out to a 21-0 lead in the first quarter, built a 43-4 advantage at … [Read more...] about Jaguars rout Urbandale again, will host Linn-Mar for trip to 5A state tournament

Centennial girls knock off Wolves, earn 3rd-place finish in CIML Conference

by

The Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team used a strong third quarter to pull away for a 54-45 victory at Waukee Northwest in its regular-season finale on Friday. The sixth-ranked Jaguars held a 26-23 lead at halftime. They then outscored Northwest in the third period, 16-9, to build a 42-32 advantage. The Wolves closed the gap to 44-41 in the … [Read more...] about Centennial girls knock off Wolves, earn 3rd-place finish in CIML Conference

‘I’ve been feeling it lately’: Porter’s late flurry lifts Jaguars to victory at S.E. Polk

by

Ankeny Centennial's Averi Porter has made a lot of big shots in her high school basketball career. On Tuesday night, the senior guard connected on a few more. Porter erupted for 10 points in the first 3 minutes of the fourth quarter as the sixth-ranked Jaguars pulled away from a 33-33 tie to post a 52-46 victory at No. 9 Southeast Polk. She finished … [Read more...] about ‘I’ve been feeling it lately’: Porter’s late flurry lifts Jaguars to victory at S.E. Polk

‘Jenna put us on her back’: Pitz again leads Hawkettes past rival Centennial

by

Ankeny senior Jenna Pitz struggled through one of the worst shooting nights of her basketball career on Dec. 20, going 1-for-13 from the field in the Hawkettes' 59-52 loss to Ankeny Centennial. She wasn't going to let it happen again. Pitz scored 16 of her 17 points in the second half to lead 13th-ranked Ankeny to a 48-43 victory at No. 6 Centennial on … [Read more...] about ‘Jenna put us on her back’: Pitz again leads Hawkettes past rival Centennial

‘We didn’t quite deserve it’: Jaguars lose late lead, fall at No. 2 Johnston in OT

by

A week ago, the Johnston girls' basketball team suffered its first loss in 43 games, proving that the second-ranked Dragons are beatable. On Friday, the defending state champions nearly took another loss--this time on their home court. No. 6 Ankeny Centennial built a 49-42 lead with 2 minutes 51 seconds left, but Johnston used a 10-3 run to force … [Read more...] about ‘We didn’t quite deserve it’: Jaguars lose late lead, fall at No. 2 Johnston in OT

No. 6 Centennial girls roll past Waukee for their 7th victory in last 8 games

by

After a rare Friday night off, the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team returned to the court on Tuesday and put together a complete performance. The sixth-ranked Jaguars placed four players in double figures and rolled past No. 14 Waukee, 55-36, in a CIML Conference game at Centennial. It was their second 19-point win over the Warriors, who had … [Read more...] about No. 6 Centennial girls roll past Waukee for their 7th victory in last 8 games

Jaguars avenge loss to No. 4 Valley, move into 3rd-place tie with Tigers

by

When the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team suffered a loss at Valley last month, the Jaguars were held to a season-low 40 points. On Tuesday night, that same offensive output was enough to produce a 40-34 victory in a rematch between the two teams at Centennial. "Valley's been a top-five team all year long," said Centennial coach Scott DeJong. … [Read more...] about Jaguars avenge loss to No. 4 Valley, move into 3rd-place tie with Tigers

With a chip on their shoulder, Jaguars romp to 77-28 victory at Urbandale

by

Each time the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team has suffered a loss this season, the Jaguars have bounced back with a resounding victory. Seventh-ranked Centennial did it again on Friday with a 77-28 win at Urbandale. The Jaguars are now 4-0 in games after a loss--with an average winning margin of 35.8 points. "You hope when you're coming off a … [Read more...] about With a chip on their shoulder, Jaguars romp to 77-28 victory at Urbandale