The South Tama 8th grade boys basketball team traveled to Pella on Feb. 4. This was a game which we wanted to slow the game down. This strategy worked well for the first half. STC trailed after the first quarter 6-4 and fell behind at the half 16-7.
Pella came out in the second half and was able to get the game going at a fast pace. Their half court man-to-man defense gave us a lot of problems. At the end of the third quarter Pella led 32-10. We were not able to get much going in the fourth quarter and the final score ended up Pella 41, South Tama 17.
I was happy with how our kids came out and followed our game plan. We wanted to slow the game down and limit possessions. We were able to do that for most of the first half. I thought the difference in the second half was the intensity of their half court man-to-man defense. They were really able to create turnovers and take us out of what we wanted, to do on offense. They have a very good, group of kids who play very hard. We will learn from this game and move forward.
Game Statistics: Grant Koch 7 pts, 5 rebounds; Dalton Doyle 4 pts, 3 rebounds, 1 assist; Alec Hill 4 pts, 2 rebounds; Nate DeBondt 1 pt, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal; Ian Slagle 1 pt, 5 rebounds; Bo Blocker 2 steals; Trevor Yuska 1 rebound.
Game 2
This was a very exciting game from start to flnish. Both teams came out in the first quarter and scored eight points. In the second quarter neither team was able to get much of a lead. Pella led at halftime 16-15.
Both teams continued, to play hard, in the second half. Pella took a four point lead going into the fourth quarter 25-21. The fourth quarter ended up being very exciting. We trailed by four points with just under two minutes to play. With some key baskets, defensive stops, and free throws, South Tama was able to pull out the victory 30-29.
What an exciting win for these boys! They were able to make some outstanding plays down the stretch both offensively and defensively. Making 10-16 free throws in this game with many of them, in the last two minutes was huge. I could not be any prouder of a group of kids for the way they played down the stretch. This is a game the kids will remember for a long time.
Game Statistics: Alec Hill 12 pts, 7 rebounds, 1 steal; Bo Bl.ocker 7 pts, 2 assists, 1, steal, 1 block; Trevor Yuska 5 pts, 5 rebounds, 3 steals, 1 assist; Josh Ledvina 2 pts, 5 steals, I assist; Nate DeBondt 2 pts, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 2 steals; Andrew Kajer 2 pts, 1 rebound; Talon Lamb 2 rebounds, 1 block; Dalton Doyle 1 rebound.
