Central has three selected all-conference in boys basketball

By Willis Patenaude | Times-Register

The Central boys basketball team received three Upper Iowa all-conference recognitions, including a second team nod for sophomore Owen Hammersland and two honorable mentions for senior Vaughn Zittergruen and junior Isaac Loan. 

It was a standout season for Hammersland, who scored a team high 324 points, over 100 more than his freshman season, when he also led the Warriors in scoring. Beyond the scoring, however, was someone who played the most minutes, often guarded the opposing team’s best player and ran the floor in transition, which coach Brady Stramer said “helped the team get some open looks before our opponent’s defense was able to get set.”

It was also a year of self-admitted growth for Hammersland, who improved in nearly every category, including assists and steals, finishing with 47 and 46, respectively. He also cut down on turnovers, grabbed 85 rebounds and shot a team high 35.9 percent from three-point range. The three-point shooting led to a highlight of the season for Hammersland, when he made seven and finished with 29 points in a win over West Central in mid-January. 

“I grew as a player and became more competitive on the court. We as a team accomplished a goal and that was winning more games this season,” Hammersland said. 

The Warriors finished the season with nine wins, four more than Hammersland’s freshman season, but despite the wins, notable performances, and multiple comeback wins, including a 71-68 victory over Waukon, the most important highlight, for Hammersland, was getting to play with his younger brother, freshman Griffen. Together, the duo made over 60 percent of the Warriors’ three pointers.

In being selected to all-conference, Hammersland said it was a “huge honor,” reflective of the “hard work” he puts into the sport. It’s also an achievement he said wouldn’t be possible “without the support of my teammates.” 

His coach added, “Owen’s high motor and fearless attitude was infectious and helped provide his teammates an example of what a high level of competitiveness looks like.”

Earning an all-conference honorable mention was Zittergruen, who Stramer said was the team’s “most improved player this season.” He added that Zittergruen took on more of a post position and “did a great job finishing around the rim,” which is highlighted by his team-leading field goal percentage of 52.6 percent. Zittergruen previously talked about what the end of his senior season means and the memorable moments among friends when they never stopped believing, which culminated in several victories when all seemed lost. 

“This season was a step forward for varsity boys basketball. We were a very selfless team, we played well together, everybody contributed and we always had fun playing,” Zittergruen said.

On the court, Zittergruen finished with 205 points, 117 rebounds, 36 assists and 30 steals, but beyond the stats is character and leadership. 

“He was a great senior leader for us in that he not only helped us on the court, but helped model for the younger players what it looks like to put the time in and to improve,” Stramer said. 

For Zittergruen, who has played his last game for the Warriors, all-conference was a fitting end to a fine career and a season where the team “dedicated extra time to practice and improvement,” leading to Zittergruen having the best season of his high school career. A feat like all-conference “wouldn’t have been possible without the collective effort of the entire team,” he said.  

The final honoree was Loan, who also received all-conference honorable mention for a season in which he started all 23 games and scored 171 points on 36.3 percent shooting. 

“Isaac was a very important part of our press offense when our opponents applied full court defensive pressure. He also helped communicate play calls to the rest of the team on the offensive end,” Stramer said. 

Loan also led the Warriors in steals with 47 and assists with 110 and finished with 111 rebounds and nine blocks.