South Tama County’s Nathan Lasley puts up a shot over Williamsburg on Tuesday, January 24. The Trojans defeated the Williamsburg Raiders 59-56. Chronicle Photo/Allison Graham

After two conference losses the South Tama Trojans got back on track last week for an electrifying win over Williamsburg and another win on the road over PCM. The week for the Trojans started by hosting the Williamsburg Raiders on Tuesday, January 24.

It was the second meeting for the two teams. STC defeated Williamsburg 49-46 in December. At Tuesday’s January meet up the Trojans and Raiders went neck and neck which resulted in an intense and exciting final few minutes of basketball. The Trojans got off to a steady pace and outscored the Raiders 18-7 in the second quarter. South Tama had a 29-21 lead going into halftime.

Coming out of halftime the Raiders found a renewed energy. This resulted in a near flip flop from the second quarter to the third quarter. Williamsburg outscored STC 19-7 for a 38-36 lead going into the fourth.

The last four minutes of the game were some of the most exciting basketball this season. The Raiders advanced to a four point lead midway through the quarter. Midway through the fourth quarter STC’s Lane Koch drew a foul at the post and was sent to the line. He made 1-2 which cut Williamsburg’s lead to 3. The three point play also began to shift momentum in the Trojans direction. The Raiders then missed a shot which was rebounded by STC’s Justus Ward. STC’s Nathan Lasley cut the Raiders lead even shorter with a shot at the post. He also drew a foul but missed the free throw leaving the Trojans down by one. A layup would give Williamsburg their lead back to three with a second chance shot.

With just a minute remaining things really began to get interesting. Sterling Tyon sunk a three to put the Trojans up 55-54. The Trojans went into ball control which forced the Raiders to foul. Sterling Tyon was sent to the line and hit both his free throws to extend the lead to 57-54. STC fouled at the other end of the court sending Williamsburg to the line for two good shots putting the Raiders back within one.

With 3.4 seconds on the clock a shot that would have given Williamsburg a one point advantage was counted no good as officials called an offensive charge. STC’s Riley Davenport took the charge foul. With neither team yet in the bonus the Trojans inbounded forcing the Raiders to foul to try and get the ball back. That foul did send the Trojans to the line. STC’s Gabe Shields made both free throws which gave the Trojans their winning score of 59-56. The Raiders had just enough time to get the ball down the court for one last attempt. But Davenport deflected a pass that was grabbed up by Justus Ward just as time ticked out.

“It was very exciting (to get the win),” said senior Clayton Rosenberger, “I think it was a great team win. Everyone stepped up when they needed to and we were fortunate enough to walk away with they win.

Rosenberger is the go to guy on the court and he enjoys that leadership role.

“I don’t feel any pressure, I enjoy it actually also in football too. The leadership I think I just naturally fit into it. So yeah I love the pressure and when it comes I just keep asking for more, said Rosenberger.”

Rosenberger is currently weighing his options for the future although he has made one big decision. He has decided to continue playing basketball versus football. He has made some visits to a few colleges but is still trying to narrow it down to the right fit.

Later in the week the Trojans travelled to Prairie City Monroe for a non conference game on Thursday, January 26. STC got off to a slow start but it was quite the opposite for PCM. The Mustangs got the early advantage of 12-2. PCM had a nice shooter, Jackson Thomas, who couldn’t seem to miss especially from the three point line. Thomas led the Mustangs with 23 points.

The Trojans were able to climb out of their 10 point deficit to close out the first quarter by playing aggressive defense.

When the Trojans play defense and are truly on their game it can be compared to the likes of former 2016 NBA Cavs champion, now Milwaukee Bucks guard Matthew Dellavedova. They are in their opponents faces and pesky to the point of being relentless, just like Dellavedova. It’s a lot of fun for fans to watch and possibly quite the opposite for those routing for the other team.

By the second quarter those efforts began to pay off. STC’s Gabe Shields got a steal which he converted to tie up the score at 17. A foul call would send him to the line. He sunk the free throw giving the Trojans an 18-17 lead and they never looked back.

The Trojans relentless defense translated to an 11 point lead at halftime, 34-23.

All in all it was a true team effort as the Trojans finished the night with a 70-58 victory. Four were in double figures including Rosenberger with 17 pts., Riley Davenport with 16, and Gabe Shields and Nathan Lasley with 12 a piece.

STC Stats

Pts. Rosenberger 17, Davenport 16, Shields 12, Lasley 12, Tyon 6, Ward 5, Keahna 2

FGM/FGA – Rosenberger 4-7, Davenport 7-11, Shields 5-10, Lasley 6-13, Tyon 2-8, Ward 2-4, Keahna 1-5, A. Lasley 0-1

3PTM/3PTA – Rosenberger 3-6, Davenport 2-3, Shields 1-4, Ward 0-1, Tyon 0-3

FTM/FTA – Rosenberger 6-11, Ward 1-4, Tyon 2-2, Davenport 0-1, Lasley 0-1, Koch 0-1

Off Reb. – Keahna 4, Koch 3, Davenport 3, Ward 2, Rosenberger 1, Lasley 1, A. Lasley 1, Tyon 1

Def. Reb. – Davenport 5, Shields 3, Koch 3, Lasley 2, Tyon 1, Rosenberger 1,