The South Tama Trojans celebrate after their 60-58 defeat of West Marshall to advance to round 2 of Regional play on Wednesday, February 17. The Trojans will face WaMaC west conference opponent Williamsburg at State Center. Chronicle Photo/Allison Graham

It was an all out battle between the South Tama Trojans (11-11) and the West Marshall Trojans (17-2) to determine who would advance on to the second round of regional play. After two overtimes and lots of cheering South Tama edged past the 12th ranked team 60-58. It was a game that goes to show that rankings and records don’t always tell the whole story.

Starting for South Tama were Kallie Hala, Maci Fritz, Abby Llewellyn, Madie Bacon, and Ryan Roberts. Starting for West Marshal were Brook Snider, Shannon Breja, Isabelle Gradwell, Madie Streeter and Gabby Reyerson.

West Marshall brought their A-game and frankly dominated for a majority of the night. But the real story of the night was the perseverance of the South Tama squad. They simply did not give up. So much so that the game went into two overtimes before the final buzzer had South Tama up by two.

The Lady Trojans had dug themselves a pretty serious hole by the third quarter and were down by 12 points and in some foul trouble to start the final period. In fact Jessica Musgrave went to the bench visibly frustrated with herself after picking up her fifth foul midway through the fourth quarter.

Call it determination or call it senior players just not wanting their season to end, South Tama made the comeback story of their high school careers. West Marshall had gone into a stall offense early in the fourth quarter. While West Marshall went scoreless for three full minutes South Tama went to work chipping away at their lead. And basket-by-basket they climbed back into the game.

Each player out on the court for South Tama made integral plays to help keep them in the game. Roberts knocked down clutch free throws in the first overtime. Llewellyn had a key shot to tie the game at 52 in the first overtime. Tieranny Keahna looked as tough as she has all season and led the team with 21 points. Dani Stubbs was tough on the boards, finishing with 7 rebounds. Bacon had 13 points, four rebounds and two critical free throws in the second overtime. Hala had a bit of a rough start shooting early on but hit some big three point shots and then put the game on ice with a free throw at the end of the second overtime.

“I told them at the pep assembly on Friday that we’ve finished the season and we start playoffs and regionals. It’s three games and we’re going to state,” said coach Marsha Keahna, “That’s how I feel, we are on the uphill climb. Tonight was proof. They kept their composure and pulled this one out on their own. Our senior leadership came through.”

South Tama will travel to Marengo to face Williamsburg on Wednesday, February 17 for round 2 of regionals. The Raiders advanced after upsetting a 12-9 Benton team and now face the 11-11 Trojans. STC holds two regular season wins over Williamsburg this season.