South Tama’s Keith Keahna soars on a layup in the fourth quarter of STC’s Wamac west contest with Clear Creek Amana. The Trojans defeated the Clippers 58-49. News Herald Photo/Allison Graham

Defense, defense and more defense is what helped the Trojans claw out of a 10 point first quarter deficit and defeat Clear Creek-Amana. The STC Trojans hosted Clear Creek Amana (CCA) on Monday, December 19 for a makeup game that was postponed from Friday due to inclement weather.

It’s not the first time this season the Trojans have had to rely heavily on their defensive game. The Trojans played Anamosa (0-6) at the tail end of November and were tied 15-15 at half. They dominated the second half and came away with a 21 point win (56-35). It is however their first comeback after being down by double digits. The Trojans won 58-49.

“We finally stepped up and played defense in the second half,” STC coach Burdette Brown said. “They had 32 at halftime, and ended up with 49, so we held them to 17 in the second half. Our defense is what creates our offense. If we can’t stop people, we can’t score. Our quickness is all we have, because we don’t have much size.”

What the Trojans have working for them is their speed and their length. The length of players like Keith Keahna and Justus Ward can really disrupt an offense. And the speed of players like Clayton Rosenberger and Riley Davenport wreak havoc on both sides of the ball. Then the Trojans have more quiet players like Lane Koch and Gabe Shields who simply put in the hard work.

One can argue that maybe Monday’s matchup shouldn’t have been as close as it was. After all CCA is 1-6 this season. But anyone who follows high school sports knows there is a level of unpredictability and anything can happen. Especially when you’ve got just one senior (Rosenberger) on the court. Sometimes it simply comes down to who wants it more. The Trojans broke a five game losing streak to the Clippers that extended across the past two seasons.

South Tama senior Clayton Rosenberger gets a tip off a CCA pass during the Trojan’s contest with Clear Creek Amana on Monday, December 19. STC defeated CCA 58-49. News Herald Photo/Allison Graham

This time last year the Trojans record was 2-9. They have already tied their 2015-16 season win total of five games going into the winter break.

“It’s amazing because this is really the same group of kids as last year when we had five wins,” Brown said. “This year you see them playing more as a team and believing in each other. Because we don’t have a standout player, we put five guys out on the floor that play as a team. That’s what’s important about this whole thing this year. We emphasize doing your one-fifth of your job, and we’re going to be fine. Now they’re playing as a group, and we can come from behind like that. We’re not afraid of being down.”

In Monday’s contest the Trojans were down 42-40 going into the fourth quarter. A thrilling battle ensued until the final minute of action. STC’s Ward tied it at 42. CCA’s Tyler Hallett responded. Keahna and Koch then put up six unanswered points. CCA’s Tate Thomsen brought the Clippers back within two. Shields and Keahna put up four points which took the Trojans lead to six. But an untimely foul by Keahna sent Hallett to the line. He sunk both shots. With just under a minute on the clock STC’s Davenport got a rebound and was fouled. Rosenberger was sent to the line then after also being fouled on an inbound play. He sunk both shots which put the Trojans up 54-49. Rosenberger would be sent to the line two more times as time ran down. He was 6-6 from the free throw line.

Rosenberger had a stellar night on both sides of the ball with 20 points and four defensive rebounds. Keahna also had a season high 16 points.

“As a sophomore, you see him stepping up more and more,” Brown said of Keahna. “The thing is, he moves so well without the ball. He’s coming down the lane, taking the pass and putting it in. It’s just fun to watch him develop. He’s only going to get stronger. He still has some silly fouls, as a sophomore would, but overall, he’s playing so well offensively and defensively.”

Following Christmas break we will see the return of some players who haven’t seen much if any time on the court yet this season. According to Brown Jessup Yazzie and Sterling Tyon will join the roster in January.

“Over Christmas break, we’re going to put in a different press,” Brown said. “We’re going to put in another set of defenses. Keep them energized, but also everyone that’s been watching us on film, add them something more to worry about.”

The Trojans haven’t had a winning season since 1994-95. They have the potential to see a lot of success this season, maybe even a conference title or a run into the playoffs. But they are going to have to earn it which will make it all the more satisfying in the end.

WaMaC west conference standings (overall, conference):

South Tama 5-2, 3-1

Center Point Urbana 4-2, 2-1

Marion 5-3, 2-2

Vinton-Shellsburg 4-3, 4-0

Benton 3-4, 3-0

Independence 2-4, 1-2

Clear Creek Amana 1-5, 2-1

Williamsburg 1-5, 0-3

Quarter Scores

STC Q1 10, Q2 18, Q3 12, Q4 18 T 58

CCA Q1 19, Q2 13, Q3 10, Q4 7, T 49

STC STATS

Pts – Rosenberger 20, Keahna 16, Ward 9, Shields 7, Koch 4, Betz 2

FGM/FGA – Rosenberger 6-11, Keahna 8-13, Ward 4-10, Shields 3-7, Koch 2-3, Lasley 0-3, Davenport 0-2,

3PTM/3PTA – Rosenberger 2-5, Shields 1-5, Davenport 0-1, Betz 0-2

FTM/FTA – Rosenberger 6-6, Betz 2-2, Keahna 0-2, Ward 0-1

Off Rebounds – Koch 3, Ward 1, Davenport 1, Keahna 1

Def Rebounds – Rosenberger 4, Ward 3, Shields 3, Koch 2, Davenport 2, Keahna 1

Asst – Ward 5, Rosenberger 4, Keahna 3, Shields 2, Koch 2

Stl – Rosenberger 5, Shields 4, Koch 3, Lasley 1, Davenport 1, Keahna 1, Ward 1

Blk – Ward 1

Fouls – Keahna 3, Rosenberger 3, Davenport 3, Ward 2, Koch 1