The South Tama Trojan defense including Nathan Lasley, Riley Davenport, Lane Koch and Clayton Rosenberger collapse on a Vinton player to try and make a stop. The Trojans hosted and fell to Vinton on Friday, January 21 72-46. News Herald Photo/Allison Graham

The STC Trojans and the Vinton-Shellsburg Vikings had their second meeting of the season on Friday, January 20 at the Round House. Back in December the Trojans gained a 20 point lead in the first half against the Vikings. But a second half push by Vinton and a buzzer beating shot from senior Nathan Struve sent the teams into an overtime. The Vikings finished with a 65-60 win.

At last Friday’s game the old saying “it just wasn’t your night” was the theme for the Trojans. Despite a season high effort by senior point guard Clayton Rosenberger (30 points) STC ultimately fell to the Vikings 72-46.

Starting for the Trojans were Justus Ward, Gabe Shields, Clayton Rosenberger, Lane Koch and Adonis Lasley. Starting for Vinton-Shellsburg were Cole Smith, Wes Edwards, Blake Bohnsack, Tyler Bartz and Nathan Struve.

Regardless of who was on the floor the Trojans struggled to find any sort of rhythm. But that doesn’t mean they didn’t try. STC head coach Burdette Brown called his first time out at the midway point of the first quarter. That helped a bit to put a pause in Vinton’s momentum. Brown switched up his rotation sending out Ward, Nathan Lasley, Sterling Tyon, Kaiden Buffalo and Gabe Shields. The five were able to pick up the pace of the game, but surrendered some costly turnovers in the process. Ward was picked off a couple of times which the Vikings were able to turn into points.

Riley Davenport joined the action after sitting the first quarter. The speed of Davenport, Adonis, Nathan, Tyon, Shields, and Adonis and Nathan Lasley was a good combination for the Trojans. They were able to tie it up at 28 going into the half.

South Tama’s Clayton Rosenberger throws up a three pointer on Friday, January 20. Despite his efforts the Trojans fell 72-46. News Herald Photo/Allison Graham

Coming out of halftime Rosenberger made a statement three point shot to give the Trojans their first and only lead in the game. But the Trojans were unable to hold on for long. Vinton’s Tyler Bartz, Smith and Bohnsack finished the night in double digits with a combined 55 points from the field.

Trying to keep the Trojans alive, Rosenberger sunk a couple of threes in the fourth. He was 4-7 from beyond the arc. It was on the defensive end that STC just could not catch a break. And that ultimately led to the 72-46 Vikings win.

STC will be on the road to close out the month of January and will return home to face Marion on Friday, Feb. 3.

STC Stats

Pts – Rosenberger 30, Tyon 16, Davenport 10, Ward 2, Lasley N. 2, Lasley A. 2, Keahna 2

FGM/FGA – Rosenberger 10-14, Tyon 5-11, Davenport 2-3, Ward 1-1, Lasley N. 1-4, Lasley A. 1-2, Keahna 1-4

3PTM/3PTA – Rosenberger 4-7, Tyon 3-7, Buffalo 0-3, Shields 0-1, Lasley A. 0-1

FTM/FTA – Rosenberger 6-7, Davenport 6-6, Keahna 0-2, Tyon 3-4, Ward 0-2

Off Reb – Koch 2, Davenport 1, Keahna 1

Def Reb – Ward 5, Shields 4, Tyon 4, Koch 3, Buffalo 1, Rosenberger 1, Davenport 1