Central boys finish regular season strong, play way into postseason

By Willis Patenaude, Times-Register

The Central boys basketball team had an up and down end to the regular season but managed to put it all together during the postseason play-in round, securing a victory and extending their season.  

The Warriors started the final week of the regular season against Kee, where they put up 21 points in the first period, their highest single period total of the season. The Hawks returned the favor in the second period, however, out-scoring the Warriors 24-9 and taking a 12-point lead into halftime. After halftime, the Hawks extended their lead, out-scoring the Warriors by 18 points in the second half, and winning 89-57. It was the most points the Warriors have allowed all year. 

The second period collapse, according to coach Brady Stramer, resulted from the team being unable to get defensive stops. 

“The main reasons for our defensive struggles were not getting back on defense, which led to some open transition baskets for them. We also struggled to rebound the basketball and limit Kee to one-shot possessions. Kee’s depth and tempo wore our guys down in the second half,” Stramer said. 

Despite the defensive woes and 24 turnovers, which have been a chronic issue for the Warriors all season, the offense performed remarkably well. The team shot 48.8 percent from the field and 31.6 percent on three-pointers, and made 75 percent of free throws. 

On top of that, three players, Seth Bena, Parker Vaughn and Dan McGreal, all scored in double digits. Bena and Vaughn finishing with 13 each and McGreal put in 10. In fact, eight of 10 players scored in the game, including Tate Berns with six, Corey Weber and Caden Erickson with five and Gabe Erickson with four. 

The offense also totaled 15 assists, with Bena getting four. Weber and McGreal had three apiece and Vaughn and C. Erickson each had two. 

While the defense struggled, Central managed seven steals and forced 10 turnovers. McGreal also added four blocks. 

In the final game of the regular season, which was also senior night,  the Warriors took on Postville. In the words of Stramer, they “came out for senior night and put together a complete four quarters.”

The Warriors took a 14-7 point lead after the first period and latter pulled away for a 55-49 victory. 

McGreal was aggressive from the opening tip, finishing with 27 points and 10 rebounds, while Vaughn, who returned from an injury in the Kee game, fired home 11 points. Bena added seven points, Weber had six and Berns and C. Erickson each scored four. 

The offense wasn’t as effective against the Pirates, shooting just 43.1 percent from the field and making seven of 18 three pointers, while going 8-16 from the free throw line. However, the Warriors had 15 assists and started spreading the ball around to get more players involved. Leading the way in assists was C. Erickson with four, while Bena, McGreal and Berns each had three. 

Additionally, the defense put in a massive effort, holding the Pirates to 28.1 percent shooting from the field and forcing them into taking deep perimeter shots, on which they made just six of 26. The Warrior defense also grabbed seven steals and had six blocks, four of which were from McGreal. 

“I felt our guys did a great job of making some defensive adjustments from Monday night’s game, and we were able to get enough stops down the stretch to get the victory on senior night. All three seniors, Vaughn, Bena and Weber, played with great attitudes and great effort each minute they were on the court, and sending them off on senior night with a victory was great to see and was well deserved,” Stramer added. 

The Warriors then found themselves in a play-in game against winless Starmont. The start of the game was a nightmare scenario for the Warriors, who “came out flat,” while the Stars came out in force, taking a quick 10-point lead. But after a little refocusing, Central regained control of the game, going on a 17-0 run and taking a 17-10 lead. It was a lead the team would never relinquish, rolling to a 77-47 victory. 

The game was highlighted by the aggressive play of McGreal, who finished with a career high 31 points despite early foul trouble. Vaughn continued his scoring run, with 15 points. 

Overall, eight of 10 Warriors scored points, including Bena with eight, G. Erickson with seven, Berns with six, Weber with four and C. Erickson and Korey Schantz with three each. 

It was a solid team effort, as they shot 50 percent from the field, went 10-23 on three-point shots and hit 15 of 29 free throws. 

The Warriors also continued to spread the ball around, with 13 assists. Weber netted four, Vaughn had three and C. and G. Erickson each tallied two. 

The defense, which really hunkered down, finished with 20 rebounds, 12 steals and one block.

“We had eight of our 10 guys score in the ball game, as well as give great effort on the defensive end, so it truly was a team victory. Our 77 points are the highest in my three seasons as coach, and I am not sure the last time a Central boys team scored more than that in four quarters,” Stramer said. 

With the victory over Starmont, the Warriors earned a Feb. 14 date with 18-3 Edgewood-Colesburg in the Class 1A-3 first round of the playoffs. The Vikings defeated the Warriors earlier this month by a score of 70-29. 

While that defeat was lopsided, there is something to be said for the fact this isn’t the same Warrior team. Vaughn has returned to the lineup and Bena and Berns have emerged as scoring options, as have the Ericksons. McGreal has also exhibited a newfound aggressiveness on the offensive side of the ball. 

Additionally, Central is winning, with two of the team’s four wins coming in the last week. The Warriors averaged 64 points in the last three games, which far outpaces their season average. 

With all that said, Stramer knows the rematch against the Vikings is a tall task, but an achievable one. 

“We know this next game against Ed-Co will be a big jump in competition for us, as they are more than deserving of the number one seed they have. We will need to continue the improvements we have made on the offensive end, most importantly not turning the ball over against their full court pressure. On the defensive end, we have to identify their perimeter shooters of which there are plenty, as well as box out each time a shot goes up,” he said.

“I’m proud of how our guys have remained together through some difficult moments this season, and I know they are eager for the challenge that we have in front of us,” Stramer added.