Central shows grit in wins over Starmont and Postville, loses close one to TV

By Willis Patenaude | Times-Register

The Central boys basketball team was in a fast tempo, high scoring game on Dec. 9, trading shots with the Starmont Stars throughout the first period. The Stars came out of the locker room knocking down three point shots, while the Warriors struggled with turnovers. Central righted the ship quickly, though, and created turnovers of their own, finishing with 17 on the game. 

Foul shots by Vaughn Zittergruen extended the Central lead to 18-15 as the first period neared conclusion, but a handful of fouls in the closing two minutes allowed the Stars to cut the lead to 22-20.

“While we came out and didn’t get as many defensive stops as we would’ve liked, our offense was able to make up for the issues on the defensive end,” said coach Brady Stramer. 

The second period was much better for the Warriors, as their defense held the Stars to just nine points. The offense, on the strength of layups by Owen Hammersland and free throw shooting by Zittergruen and Jake Hertrampf, took a 36-29 lead into halftime. 

The second half was just as hotly contested, but the Warriors—aided by making 16 of 29 free throws and out-rebounding the Stars 47 to 32, while accumulating 14 steals and five blocks— overcame 23 turnovers to grab a 71-61 win.

The Warrior offense shot 41.9 percent from the field and had five players reach double digits. Isaac Loan scored 13 points and led the team with 11 rebounds. He added five assists, two steals and one block. Also scoring 13 points was Zittergruen, who grabbed eight rebounds, three steals and one block. Griffen Hammersland put up 13 points as well, to go with four rebounds, two steals and one block. Mason Loan scored 11 points with four assists and two steals and Jake Hertrampf contributed 10 points, 10 rebounds and two blocks. Owen Hammersland netted nine points with seven rebounds, five assists and four steals. 

The Warriors played Turkey Valley in a close game on Dec. 10. Central pulled out 7-1 with Owen Hammersland hitting a three-point shot and Isaac Loan converting an “and one” situation. Early defensive pressure also created multiple turnovers, but the Warrior offense couldn’t capitalize. Turkey Valley settled in and took the lead after a series of Central turnovers and misses. 

“We came out and had a good start, able to get several defensive stops in a row which helped us start with a 7-1 run. However, the rest of the quarter we struggled to find good looks at the basket, eventually trailing 9-13 after the first period,” Stramer said. 

The Warriors’ transition offense improved in the second period, and a pair of three-pointers by Griffen Hammersland pulled them closer. An Isaac Loan layup with 1:36 left in the period put Central ahead 27-26. The period ended with the Warriors needing back-to-back layups by Owen Hammersland and Isaac Loan to pull even at 31-31.  

Central started the second half with a 7-0 run after a three-point shot by Mason Loan and layups by Hertrampf. From that point on, though, they struggled to stay out of foul trouble and grab defensive rebounds. Despite Turkey Valley not scoring for over four minutes, the Warriors’ struggles inhibited them in extending the lead beyond 40-31. The Trojans mounted a comeback, cutting the nine-point lead in half, with the Warriors holding on 42-38 entering the fourth quarter 

The period got off to a good start, as Central extended the lead to 47-40, but the Warriors’ next few plays resulted in fouls and turnovers. Turkey Valley went on a 14-3 run to take a 52-47 lead with just over three minutes left. 

Owen Hammersland converted an “and one” play and a clutch three  by Mason Loan with under two minutes left pulled the game even at 53-53. Central retook the lead after a foul led to free throws for Owen Hammersland, who hit both. 

Turkey Valley pulled within one point on a foul by Central, and after a turnover on a Warrior in bounds pass, the Trojans scored a layup with 32 seconds remaining to take the lead. When the buzzer sounded, Central was bested 58-55.  

“To our guys’ credit, they remained determined and made a couple of key shots to tie things up at 53. Unfortunately, timely free throws and rebounds allowed Turkey Valley to make more plays in the final moments to come out victorious,” Stramer said.

Owen Hammersland and Isaac Loan led the team with 14 points each and combined for nine rebounds, six assists and five steals. Hertrampf added 10 points with a game-high 17 rebounds and two blocks. Mason Loan scored nine points  and had three rebounds and four steals, while Griffen Hammersland earned six points, three rebounds and two assists. 

The Warriors hosted the Postville Pirates in the final game of the week. Led by Isaac and Mason Loan, who scored a combined 13 points, Central got off to a solid start and ended the opening period up 21-12. 

“We were able to do a good job of moving the ball in our half court offense, which led to some good looks near the basket and from the perimeter. Postville then changed from man to man defense to a half court zone defense. I thought our guys adjusted well in the sense of ball movement, but we didn’t get the ball into the paint area enough, and began to settle for three-point shots,” Stramer said.

The Warriors went “ice cold” in the second period, failing to make a single field goal and only scoring one point, a free throw by Isaac Loan. Postville took advantage of turnovers and fouls and tied the score 22-22 at halftime. 

In the third period, Central fell behind 37-31, as the Pirates made it to the free throw line on three separate occasions. But the Warriors closed in with shots by Owen Hammersland and Zittergruen, pulling the score to 42-38.

The fourth period was tight. With the game tied 47-47, a three-pointer by Isaac Loan, followed by an Owen Hammersland layup and jump shot, the Warriors put together a barrage of points. The team scored 13 points in the final two minutes to take a 60-50 win.

The Warriors shot 34.9 percent as a team and 62.5 percent from the free throw line. Isaac Loan led with 17 points, while adding six rebounds, five assists, two steals and two blocks. Owen Hammersland followed with 13 points and Zittergruen had 11. Hertrampf and Mason Loan scored nine and six points, respectively. 

Central collected 36 rebounds, led by Hertrampf and Owen Hammersland with eight each.

“I felt like we made some mental and physical mistakes late in the game in Tuesday’s loss at Turkey Valley that made it a difficult loss to take. However, our guys found themselves in a very similar situation on Friday night, tied with two minutes left to go in that game. For our guys to stick together, and to play a near perfect last two minutes, and eventually come out of that game with a 10-point victory, speaks a lot to their ability to improve and learn from previous mistakes,” Stramer said.

The Warriors will play three games before winter break, including a Dec. 16 match-up against Ed-Co and a Dec. 17 game versus the undefeated MFL MarMac Bulldogs. On Dec. 20, Central will travel to Kee.