-Courtesy of Jim Magdefrau
Benton girls’ basketball
Monday, Jan. 26, 2026, at Van Horne
Benton (5-9) 49, Vinton-Shellsburg (0-14-1) 31
VS 9 2 8 12 - 31
BC 10 14 17 8 - 49
Benton was 19 of 56 for field goals, 5 of 25 for three-pointers and 6 of 10 for free throws. Benton had 35 rebounds, 11 assists, 13 steals, three blocks, 19 turnovers and 18 fouls. Aubrey Kelly had 15 points. Talulah Schroeder had six rebounds. Kelly had three assists. Schroeder had four steals.
Vinton-Shellsburg was 8 of 34 for field goals, 2 of 10 for three-pointers, and 13 of 24 for free throws. They had 28 rebounds, six assists, 10 steals, three blocks 25 turnovers and 13 fouls.
Benton hosts Grinnell on Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026, hosts South Tama (4-10) on Friday, Jan. 30, at 7 p.m. and travels to Monticello (9-5) on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. The game starts at 12:30 p.m. On Tuesday Feb. 3, Benton travels to Clear Creek Amana (13-0) with the game starting at 6 p.m. Benton hosts Williamsburg (11-4) on Friday, Feb. 6, at Van Horne. Action starts at 6:30 p.m.
Benton boys’ basketball
Monday, Jan. 26, 2026, at Van Horne
Vinton-Shellsburg (7-7) 75, Benton (7-6) 42
VS 22 13 21 19 - 75
BC 6 12 14 9 - 42
Benton was 13 of 45 for field goals, 3 of 15 for three-pointers and 13 of 18 for free throws. They had 28 rebounds, three assists, four steals, six blocks and 20 turnovers. Eli Patterson had 11 points for Benton and eight rebounds. Carson Pickering had two steals. Patterson and Cole Junge had two blocks each.
I chose Benton because it is home. The lasting relationships I built with my former teachers and coaches inspire me to form the same meaningful connections with my students.
#BeABobcat
#APlaceToBelong
Why Benton?
I chose to work at Benton because my family moved back to the family farm. I grew up as a Bobcat and loved the strong community, traditions, and pride in the district. It has been a pleasure joining a school district with strong leadership, great co-workers, and supportive families.
It truly is a place to belong. The support from the entire Bobcat Community can be felt by all!!!
This photo captures our high school team, Team 3788, in the pits with their pit display at the League Championships in Waterloo on Saturday. Both our high school and middle school teams competed with skill, teamwork, and determination.
Our high school team earned 2nd Place for the Connect Award, recognizing their strong outreach and community connections. Our middle school team was highly competitive throughout the event and was nominated for the Innovate Award, highlighting their creative engineering and problem-solving.
Great job to all our students, mentors, and supporters—we’re proud of the hard work and dedication you continue to show! 🎉
#APlaceToBelong
Benton SkillsUSA recently made this raised garden at a carpentry competition. They will paint any color and deliver within Benton School District for free courtesy of SkillsUSA. Dimensions: W: 52.5" D: 52.5" H: 66"
Proceeds will go to Benton SkillsUSA.
Please contact Jacob Reid if interested or if you have any questions. jreid@benton.k12.ia.us
I chose Benton for its small, rural community atmosphere.
https://www.kaisercorson.com/obituaries/Gary-Lynn-Zittergruen?obId=46951553#/obituaryInfo
-Courtesy of Jim Magdfrau
Benton Girls’ Basketball
Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, at South Tama
Benton (4-7) 49, South Tama (3-7) 32
BC 10 14 16 9 - 49
ST 8 14 6 4 - 32
Benton was 18 of 40 for field goals, 1 of 15 for three-pointers and 12 of 19 for free thows. They had 32 rebounds, 10 assists, 12 steals, two blocks, 20 turnovers and 11 fouls. Aubrey Kelly had 14 points. Kelly also has six rebounds and five assists. She also had six steals and two blocks.
Benton hosts No. 1 Clear Creek Amana (10-0) on Thursday, Jan. 15, at 6:30 p.m. in Van Horne.
Benton Boys’ Basketball
Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, at South Tama
Benton (5-5) 73, South Tama (1-9) 46
BC 24 14 16 19 - 73
ST 2 15 12 17 - 46
The Bobcats were 25 of 55 for field goals, 11 of 32 for three-pointers and 12 of 15 for free throws. Benton had 35 rebounds, 16 assists, eight steals, four blocks and nine turnovers. Kaleb Hayden had 17 points. Eli Patterson added 15 points and Will Rausch had 14 points. Patterson had 11 rebounds. Jack Lange had five assists. Hayden had three steals.
Benton hosts Clear Creek Amana (8-4) on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, Van Horne, at 8 p.m., following the girls’ varsity game.
It is with profound sadness that we share the news of the passing of Gary Zittergruen, former Superintendent of the Benton Community School District.
Gary served Benton Community with dedication, integrity, and a deep commitment to students, staff, and the greater community. During his tenure as superintendent, he provided steady leadership and worked collaboratively with the Board of Education, staff, and community members to strengthen the district and ensure opportunities for all students to succeed. His work helped shape Benton Community into the district it is today, and many of the systems, traditions, and values we continue to uphold reflect his vision and care for public education. Gary served as Superintendent at Benton Community for 20 years with a career in education that spanned over 35 years. Gary and Jenny moved to Waverly after his retirement, but could often be found in Bobcat country supporting his son, Jeff Zittergruen and his family. Please keep them in your prayers.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Gary was known for his genuine kindness, thoughtful leadership, and respect for people. He believed in supporting educators, investing in students, and building strong relationships—qualities that left a lasting impact on those who had the opportunity to work with him.
Please join us in extending our deepest sympathies to Gary’s family, friends, and all those whose lives he touched. We are grateful for his service to Benton Community and will remember his contributions with respect and appreciation. We will communicate arrangements when known. Please keep his loved ones in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
#BeABobcat
#APlaceToBelong
