Rebound the ball! STC’s Kaitlin Berger (hidden) and Abby Llewellyn along with two Williamsburg players fight for a rebound on Tuesday, December 13. STC topped the Raiders 73-51. Chronicle Photo/Allison Graham

By Allison Graham

Sports Editor

agraham@

tamatoleodnews.com

Pushing the tempo is what is working for the STC Trojans. South Tama hosted Williamsburg for a Wamac west contest on Tuesday, December 13. The Trojans played their game for a 73-51 victory over the Raiders.

Starting for the Trojans were Allison Yuska, Kaitlin Berger, Jessica Musgrave, Abby Llewellyn and Minnie Climer. Starting for Williamsburg were Jillian Holub, Emily Jensen, Brittnie Gilbert, Kortni Gensley and Amaleah Weldon.

The Trojans wasted no time getting on the board after winning the tip off. Jessica Musgrave who racked up 27 points on the night put her first two up within the opening seconds of the quarter. Williamsburg kept up the with Trojans throughout the first quarter. The Trojans were up by just a basket, 15-13 going into the second.

The Trojans however began to run away from the Raiders in the second quarter outscoring them 27-13. The tempo combined with STC’s man to man full court press was just too much for the Raiders to keep up with.

“It’s a little different from last year for these girls, they’ve said that to me many times. But I just want to push the ball up the floor. We’ve got to be quick and we’re athletic enough to do that so that’s why I keep on them. Just get up the floor and be quick with everything. That’s what we’ve been working on all year other than our defense is just getting the ball up the floor and moving it,” said head coach Sarah Mallen.

The Trojans offense led by Musgrave scored their most points of the season at 73. Also having season scoring highs were Kaitlin Berger with 12 and Madison Rohach with 9.

Musgrave’s speed and scrappiness on the court created a huge interruption to the Raiders offense causing them to turn the ball over. And there would appear to be no limits to Musgrave’s energy on the court. Berger also had a strong night defensively with six rebounds, two blocks and one steal.

“Really our man to man press we’ve been working on all year. We’re trying to make that more aggressive. We’re trying to deny passes in, get that trap set once the ball gets in. The girls just executed. Every game they’ve improved more and more with that.”

The Trojans will be at home again following Christmas break to face Mount Vernon on January 3.

Wamac west conference standings (overall record, conference record):

Center Point-Urbana 7-0, 3-0

Marion 6-0, 2-0

Clear Creek Amana 4-3, 2-1

South Tama 3-4, 2-1

Williamsburg 3-6, 1-2

Benton 1-6, 1-2

Independence 0-6, 0-3

Vinton-Shellsburg 0-6, 0-2

Quarter Scores

STC Q1 10, Q2 27, Q3 15, Q4 24

Williamsburg Q1 13, Q2 11, Q3 14, Q4 13

STC Stats

Points – Musgrave 25, Berger 12, Rohach 9, Slaven 6, Climer 5, Smith 4, Yuska 4, Ray 2

FGM/FGA – Musgrave 10-15, Berger 5-13, Rohach 4-5, Llewellyn 3-5, Slaven 2-7, Climer 2-4, Smith 1-2, Yuska 1-2, Ray 1-1

3PTM/3PTA – Berger 1-3, Musgrave 1-3, Rohach 1-2, Slaven 1-1, Yuska 0-1

FTM/FTA – Musgrave 4-7, Smith 2-4, Yuska 2-2, Berger 1-2, Slaven 1-3

Off Reb – Musgrave 2, Climer 2, Slaven 2, Yuska 1, Berger 1

Def Reb – Berger 6, Llewellyn 5, Slaven 2, Yuska 2, Musgrave 2, Rohach 1, Ray 1, Smith 1, Berger J. 1

Asst – Musgrave 3, Berger K. 3, Climer 3, Slaven 2, Berger J. 1, Yuska 1

Stl – Musgrave 5, Climer 2, Slaven 2, Smith 2, Berger J. 1, Yuska 1, Berger K. 1, Llewellyn 1, Rohach 1

Blk – Berger K. 2, Llewellyn 1, Yuska 1

Fouls – Rohach 5, Slaven 5, Llewellyn 4, Berger J. 2, Berger K. 2, Climer 1, Yuska 1, Musgrave 1