South Tama’s Tieranny Keahna shoots a bucket over two Mid-Prairie defenders in Round 3 of Girls Regional Basketball on Saturday, February 21. The Trojans fell to Mid Prairie 50-43. Chronicle Photo/Allison Graham

Things really fell into place for the Trojans at just the right time. Entering the post season the Trojans were 10-11. Looking at their record alone one may not have high hopes but the Trojans shocked the 12th ranked West Marshall team in the first round of girls regional basketball with a 60-58 defeat in two overtimes.

STC went on to meet up with conference opponent Williamsburg. The Trojans and the Raiders met on neutral ground in Marengo in what was arguably the Trojans’ best game of the season. The Trojans won the game 55-33 to advance to round three.

The Trojans matchup with the Raiders was truly a team effort. Freshman Jessica Musgrave and senior Tieranny Keahna led in scoring with 13 points each. Madie Bacon and Keahna each had seven rebounds to led the team.

Moving on to round three the Trojans travelled to Oskaloosa on Saturday evening where they were paired with Mid-Prairie Wellman.

Starting for the Trojans were Kallie Hala, Dani Stubbs, Madie Bacon and Ryan Roberts. Starting for Mid-Prairie were Alex Rath, Mackenzie Rich, Ali Butters, Ireland Hosteler and Addison Rath.

Jessica Musgrave has Mid-Prairie at her heels towards the end of the first half. The Trojans ended up falling in the contest while Mid-Prairie punched their ticket to the Girls Basketball State Tournament. Chronicle Photo/Allison Graham

It was a very physical match up from the get go. In fact the first points made were from a free throw by Dani Stubbs after being fouled. Mid-Prairie quickly scored a field goal and built up a five point lead. While it wasn’t a huge lead the opening sequence by Rath and Hostetler loomed over the Trojans all evening.

Keahna scored all of the Trojans’ field goals in the first quarter. The Trojans were down by eight with just under two minutes to play in the half when Musgrave went to work. She was able to force some steals near half court and converted at the other end to ignite South Tama’s offense. The Trojans went on an unanswered seven point run to get the Trojans within one point at 18-17.

Coming out of the half Mid-Prairie went to work and once again extended their lead. Defensively Mid-Prairie ran a full court press that the Trojans had some struggles with.

While the Trojans never folded they ended up falling to Mid-Prairie 50-43.

Despite the loss coach Marsha Keahna wants the girls to take away the positives of the season. “I think the fact was that the season was so rough in the first half. We didn’t play our best ball but we turned it around and it’s really the tale of two teams. We came back after Christmas and started to put the pieces together. Here in playoffs people started noticing and enjoying the team chemistry.”