The Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team pitched a shutout during the first quarter of Friday's game against visiting Des Moines Hoover. The eighth-ranked Jaguars raced out to a 23-0 lead at the end of the opening period. They built a 41-6 advantage at halftime and then cruised to a 76-15 victory over the Huskies. Centennial coach Scott DeJong … [Read more...] about Centennial girls rebound from loss with thumping of Huskies
Scott DeJong
Centennial girls’ late rally falls short in loss to No. 6 S.E. Polk
During last year's state tournament, the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team overcame a double-digit deficit before losing to Southeast Polk in overtime in the Class 5A quarterfinals. The Jaguars tried to pull off a similar comeback against their CIML rival on Tuesday, but this time the deficit was too large. Sixth-ranked Southeast Polk built a … [Read more...] about Centennial girls’ late rally falls short in loss to No. 6 S.E. Polk
Jaguars roll past Lincoln for most lopsided victory in school history
Don't expect the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team to win every game by 70 points. For one day, though, that's exactly what the seventh-ranked Jaguars did. Centennial built a 57-7 halftime lead and then coasted to an 84-14 victory over visiting Des Moines Lincoln in its season opener on Saturday afternoon. It was the Jaguars' most lopsided win … [Read more...] about Jaguars roll past Lincoln for most lopsided victory in school history
Young Jaguars will need to get key contributions from several players
For much of the last three seasons, Kenna Sauer and Rachel Schon were the faces of the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball program. The duo led the Jaguars to a 51-18 record during that stretch, but have now taken their talents to the collegiate level. Sauer is playing volleyball at Missouri, while Schon is averaging 7.5 points and 7.5 rebounds per game … [Read more...] about Young Jaguars will need to get key contributions from several players
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 37
Check out the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by the Ankeny office of Iowa Realty. Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball coach Scott DeJong and senior forward Kenna Sauer stopped by to visit with Ankeny Fanatic publisher Dan Holm about the Jaguars' loss to Southeast Polk in the Class 5A quarterfinals on Monday. … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 37
VIDEO: Centennial girls lose heartbreaker in Class 5A quarterfinals
McGraw, S.E. Polk girls outlast Jaguars in overtime thriller
The final shot of Rachel Schon's high school basketball career won't define her legacy. But the spirit and determination that Schon and her Ankeny Centennial teammates showed during Monday's Class 5A quarterfinal against third-ranked Southeast Polk most certainly will. The No. 10 Jaguars battled back from an early 13-point deficit to force overtime … [Read more...] about McGraw, S.E. Polk girls outlast Jaguars in overtime thriller
After pulling off one upset, Jaguars will try for another against S.E. Polk
When the girls' state basketball tournament tips off on Monday at Wells Fargo Arena, 10th-ranked Ankeny Centennial won't be mentioned as one of the favorites to capture the Class 5A title. But that's just fine with the Jaguars. Centennial pulled off one upset in order to reach the state tournament, and now it will try for another one. The Jaguars … [Read more...] about After pulling off one upset, Jaguars will try for another against S.E. Polk
WELL DONE: Jaguars topple Pleasant Valley, earn trip to state tournament
Wells Fargo Arena sits only about 10 miles away from the city of Ankeny. To earn a chance to play there, however, the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team had to make its longest road trip ever. The 10th-ranked Jaguars traveled to Pleasant Valley on Tuesday for a Class 5A regional final against the No. 7 Spartans, who entered the game with a 21-0 … [Read more...] about WELL DONE: Jaguars topple Pleasant Valley, earn trip to state tournament
VIDEO: Jaguars advance to girls’ state tournament
Centennial girls head to Pleasant Valley for 5A regional final
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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