Warriors run out of comeback magic in loss to Wapsie Valley

By Willis Patenaude | Times-Register

In a garage, on a tiny hoop, is where senior Vaughn Zittergruen first learned to play basketball. Over the years, his brothers joined him, and later on, the games moved out of the garage and into the driveway, with friends showing up after school for a game or two. Playing basketball was never really in doubt, and for the last four years, Zittergruen has been a mainstay in the Central gym, either supporting from the bench or leading on the floor. 

When the Central boys basketball season started Dec. 3, Zittergruen, the only senior on the team, started the last first game of his high school career. Showing the selflessness that defined his play and the Warriors throughout the season, his goals were not about him, but about the team. He wanted them to be more competitive and finish with more wins than last season. On both accounts, they succeeded. 

The Warriors nearly doubled their wins from five to nine and anyone who showed up to the games witnessed an energized student section and multiple comeback wins, including overcoming a 15-point deficit against the Waukon Indians earlier this month, where Central hit pressure free throws down the stretch to pull off a win over a 2A school. The win was also Zittergruen’s most memorable moment, not just from this season but his career. 

“It was a hard-fought, exciting game, knowing they were a good team with some big wins themselves. It was a come-from-behind win, we believed in our team and we never gave up,” he said. 

The Warriors needed to bring that attitude into the playoff match-up against the Wapsie Valley Warriors on Feb. 17, which would require multiple comebacks if Central was going to extend its season and Zittergruen’s high school career.

Both teams went shot for shot in the first quarter, and the lead changed six times in six minutes. Owen Hammersland hit a jump shot for two of his total eight points, and the quarter also featured what the Warriors do best: shoot threes. Jake Hertrampf and Isaac Loan each drained one and combined for 17 points on the night. Zittergruen, scored 10 points, got inside for four points in the quarter, but Central trailed 16-13 heading into the second quarter. 

“Defensively, I felt that we did a good job of locating their shooters and taking away open perimeter shots. However, we struggled to deal with their size in the post,” said coach Brady Stramer.

Central briefly held the lead 19-18 after a three-point shot by Isaac Loan sailed through the net, but Wapsie Valley slowly pulled away 29-21 with less than 90 seconds left in the quarter. 

The Warriors looked at the eight-point deficit and did what they’ve done in five of their nine wins: bury shots and make comebacks. First up was Isaac Loan, who nailed a three-point shot, followed by Zittergruen driving to the basket for two. To cap the quarter off, Griffen Hammersland, who finished with nine points, put up a three with three seconds left, tying the ball game 29-29. 

“To our guys’ credit, we were able to get multiple defensive stops to end the half, while scoring nine points of our own. We headed to the break tied at 29. At half time, we discussed some minor defensive adjustments to make in our post defense and emphasized the importance of continuing to not turn the ball over, as we only had four turnovers in the first half,” Stramer said.

Central stayed within striking distance throughout the third quarter, with Mason Loan, Owen Hammersland and Griffen Hammersland all hitting three-point shots. Hertrampf and Zittergruen added scores of their own. Central trailed 46-44 with under two minutes left, but Wapsie Valley scored the final four points of the third quarter and put Central down by six. 

“The third quarter remained competitive, but we struggled to succeed in the two areas we focused on at half as our turnovers increased in the third quarter, and we continued to struggle dealing with their size in the paint,” Stramer said. 

Another comeback would be needed if Central was going to escape Wapsie Valley with a win, but the Warriors scored just six points in the quarter on a free throw by Isaac Loan, a three-pointer from Griffen Hammersland and, on a pass from Hertrampf, the senior Zittergruen scored the final points of the game and his career. Central lost 62-50.

“Offensively, we didn’t move and cut toward the basket as much as we needed to and struggled to convert some perimeter shots. We continued to battle, finding ourselves down only four with three minutes to go, but were unable to score another point down the stretch,” Stramer said.

The coach called Zittergruen a great leader all season. 

“He was not only our second leading scorer, but he was likely our most diverse player. We do not win nine games, or play as competitively in a lot of our losses, without his contributions. He was a great example for the younger players of how to put the time in and that improved results will follow.”

The Warriors ended the season 7-9 in the Upper Iowa Conference and 9-14 overall. 

Owen Hammersland led the team with 324 points, while Isaac Loan led with 110 assists and 47 steals. Hertrampf had team highs in rebounds with 140 and blocks with 24. Among all starters, Zittergruen finished with the highest shooting percentage, at 52.5 percent, and he finished his career as a three-year varsity letter winner with 301 total points, including 205 this season.  

“I really enjoyed playing with some of my best friends every day. We challenged each other and had many laughs along the way. I am going to miss the camaraderie and competition moving forward,” Zittergruen said.

He thanked his coaches, teammates and the fans and student section, especially his parents, for always being at games, for being supportive and for encouraging him to be outside, playing basketball in the driveway.