STC’s Kaitlin Berger (11) walks to the free throw line after getting fouled by a CCA defender on Friday, January 27. Berger led the Trojans with 19 points on the night, 11 of which were free throws. News Herald Photo/Allison Graham

By Allison Graham

Sports Editor

“mailto:agraham@tamatoledonews.com”>agraham@tamatoledonews.com

In the rematch between the STC Trojans and Clear Creek-Amana Clippers there was a bit more on the line than their first meeting in December. Prior to Friday’s contest both teams were 9-6 and both teams were looking to secure the third spot in the WaMaC conference. It’s been a goal of the Trojans to finish in that spot for the better half of the season.

Trailing at halftime, the Trojans needed a strategy to climb out of the 10-point hole that lie above them.

South Tama County Head Coach Sarah Mallen talks to her lineup during a timeout on Friday, January 27. The Trojans came from behind to beat Clear Creek Amana 52-48. News Herald Photo/Allison Graham

“I was pretty calm going into halftime,” explained STC Head Coach Sarah Mallen. “I told our girls that you’ve got to want it more. You’ve got to fight for it. We told them throughout the week that they are going to be ready to fight just as hard as you. So, I think it motivated them to think that somebody else was working hard (to beat them). They came out in the second half and started working hard and fought for their win.”

The Trojans did an excellent job capitalizing on the foul trouble the Clippers found themselves in and it led to a 52-48 comeback win. In the 3rd quarter STC senior Kaitlin Berger was sent to the foul line twice in one minute. She hit all four of her free throw shots. Then fellow senior Allison Yuska scored her only points of the game with a clutch jumper from the right baseline that brought the Trojans to within four points. South Tama was still trailing by five going into the fourth quarter but momentum was shifting.

In the 4th quarter, things got a bit messy for Clear Creek-Amana. As time wore on the Trojans used the remaining eight minutes to further punish the Clippers from the foul line. Jessica Musgrave was held in check offensively as she was limited to just 14 points on the night, seven points behind her season average of 21. It was clear the Clippers decided to key in on Musgrave and their defense executed that plan with relative success.

Musgrave was sent to the foul line to start the fourth quarter, followed by Berger. Then it was Musgrave to the line again, then Berger(you get the idea) Trips to the line led to the Trojans racking up 16 points in free throw shots. Eight of those free throws belonged to Berger. She stepped up for the Trojans in a big way, with a season high 19 points. Eleven of those 19 points were from the line. That tops her previous season high of 18 points that came against the Clippers earlier this season in the previous meeting.

Commenting on the fourth quarter foul situation Mallen said, “When CCA started calling some timeouts we started telling the girls that if they are going to start fouling us and we are in the bonus, let’s just spread out our offense. Let’s hold the ball and just wait for them to foul. That really put us in a position to hit some big free throws. Kaitlin Berger was hitting clutch free throws for us and that put us in a position to win the game.”

CCA scored just 6 points from the field in the fourth quarter. Those would be the only points scored away from the free throw line all quarter. The Clippers frustrations began to mount as at least three of their starters began fouling out of the game. Most crucial was the loss of 6-01 senior post, Lauren Helle. Helle was the tallest player on the court Friday and her 50 blocks on the season is the second highest total in all of Class 4A.

Placing third is not yet a guarantee for the Trojans. Both STC and CCA still have a second meet up with WaMaC juggernaut Marion (17-1) as well as Benton Community (3-14). However, STC’s sweep of the Clear Creek-Amana should not go unnoticed as they are the only unranked opponent to best the Clippers this season. CCA’s other five losses have come against Class 4A top ranked Marion, third ranked Grinnell, seventh ranked Western Dubuque along with Class 3A fifth ranked Center Point-Urbana and the Class 2A leader, undefeated Iowa City Regina. Although it’s unlikely the Trojans will take much time to rest on their laurels, their 52-48 win should be a point of pride and a motivator that could put them one step closer to their goal.

Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 T

South Tama 9 14 13 16 52

Clear Creek-Amana 17 16 6 9 48

STC Stats

Pts. – Berger 19, Musgrave 14, Climer 7, Llewellyn 5, Rohach 5, Yuska 2

FGM/FGA – Berger 8-13, Musgrave 4-12, Climer 2-7, Llewellyn 1-4, Rohach 2-4, Yuska 1-1

3PTM/3PTA – Climer 2-5, Berger 1-4, Rohach 1-2, Musgrave 0-2

FTM/FTA – Berger 12-16, Musgrave 6-10, Llewellyn 3-4, Climer 1-4, Slaven 0-2

Off Reb – Yuska 1, Musgrave 1, Rohach 1, Slaven 1

Def Reb – Berger 8, Musgrave 5, Slaven 3, Llewellyn 2, Yuska 1, Climer 1

Asst – Musgrave 4, Smith 3, Climer 2, Slaven 1, Yuska 1

Stl – Musgrave 2, Climer 2, Berger 1, Slaven 1

Fouls – 10