Central Boys Basketball Preview: Experience, speed among strengths for Warriors
The Central boys basketball team includes (front, left to right) Henry Reimer, Keshaun Foster, Maxwell Schantz, Weston Stannard, Owen Burke, Chris Domka, Griffen Hammersland, Mason Loan; (back) coach Blake Rodenberg, Tyce Zittergruen, Carson Ruegnitz, Trey Sylvester, Garrett Burns, Jake Hertrampf, Isaac Loan, Caden Fette, Owen Hammersland and coach Brady Stramer. Not pictured is Corbyn Clark. (Photo by Audrey Posten)
By Audrey Posten | Times-Register
After graduating only one senior from last season, the Central boys basketball team returns a large number of players for 2025-2026. That includes seven seniors who have played all four years.
“This is something that is not common and is a reflection of the dedication of those seniors and their ability to embrace their roles and be devoted to team success,” shared head coach Brady Stramer.
Among those seniors are guard Isaac Loan and forward/center Jake Hertrampf, who have played at the varsity level since late in their freshmen years. Junior guard/forward Owen Hammersland, already a two-year starter, is another player with a lot of varsity experience.
“Beyond those three, we have several other players that have either started at times or played big minutes for us in previous seasons and who we will rely upon heavily as we move forward this season,” Stramer noted. “Having so many players with experience helps us hit the ground running to start the season and not spend as much time learning plays and team expectations as a team that doesn’t have so many guys coming back.”
Stramer anticipates sophomores Mason Loan and Griffen Hammersland will be other key contributors for the Warriors. Unlike most underclassmen, they bring a full season of varsity experience, and he believes their ability to handle the basketball and defend the perimeter will be important for the team’s success.
“We have some other sophomores who did not play at the varsity level last season who have put forth a great first week of practice and have a chance to break through this season and become important rotational pieces for us,” Stramer added.
Along with this returning experience, the coach listed speed and quickness among Central’s strengths.
“We will try to use [that] to our advantage because we will not be the biggest or strongest team most nights,” Stramer said. “Rebounding and limiting turnovers are always the two biggest areas we try to focus on and improve in.”
Stramer is confident some of the mistakes the Warriors made in previous seasons, especially in terms of turning the ball over, will be minimized due to having guys who have played in and felt what the speed of the varsity level is like.
“We have a lot of players on our team that are three- and four-sport athletes, and all of that competitive experience should also help us remain calm and steadfast in late game situations,” he stated.
According to Stramer, Central’s goal is to improve each day, both individually and collectively. The Warriors want to be a better team in February than they are now. He said success will be gauged on how well they play in each game as a team.
“Wins and losses are obviously important, but they don’t always tell the whole story,” Stramer reflected. “There may be games that we win and don’t play up to our standard, and there may be games we lose where we do a lot of things right. We will continue to focus on things we can control, and be reflective in nature so that we can take feedback and become better from it, both as coaches and as players.”
The Warriors began the season this week, hosting Maquoketa Valley Dec. 1 and Clayton Ridge on Dec. 2. They will play at Turkey Valley on Dec. 5.
