South Tama’s Gabe Shields sails through the lane for two points. The Trojans defeated Williamsburg on Tuesday, Dec. 12 for another WaMaC west conference win. News Herald Photo/Allison Graham

After another conference win, South Tama is showing they are the team to beat in the WaMaC west. The Trojans hosted Williamsburg and topped the Raiders 54-48 on Tuesday, Dec. 12.

The Trojans came out strong and led much of the first half. The Trojans’s offensive strategy was a real team effort with Kaiden Buffalo, Sterling Tyon, Gabe Shields and Justus Ward each scoring in the first half.

In the final minutes of the second quarter Williamsburg went on an unanswered six point run. Williamsburg’s Lucas Schelesselman got hot from the three point line in the second quarter. He was 5-10 for the night. Some untimely fouls by the Trojans also gave the Raiders some scoring opportunities at the line. Williamsburg had a one point advantage over South Tama 29-27 going into the half.

“Our game plan was to drive, force drive. He was just catching and shooting. We kind of went against the game plan a little bit but we got after it and we talked at halftime, gathered ourselves and came out the second half and did a little better,” said Peska.

The run by the Raiders was started with what Peska referred to as the little things, a loose ball here or there and the momentum shifts.

STC’s Keith Keahna (33) shoots for two during the Trojans conference contest with Williamsburg on Tuesday, Dec. 12. News Herald Photo/Allison Graham

After the half the Trojans came out re-grouped. The made quick work with Keith Keahna and Shields scoring early in the third taking the lead at 34-29. Schelesselman, however, sunk another three and tied it up at 34. A three point play by Brandon Blythe gave the Raiders back the lead. Shields cut the lead back to one. Elia Hinrichsen then sunk a three. But a buzzer beating deep three by Buffalo cut Williamsburg’s lead back to just one point 40-39 and gave the Trojans some much needed momentum.

South Tama’s offense came out in the fourth quarter on fire and quickly overtook the Raiders. The Trojans defense also played a huge role and they kept the Raiders to just eight points. The Trojans outscored Williamsburg 15 to 8 in the fourth for their 54-48 victory.

“It was a good team win,” said Peska, “Everyone that played and helped contribute and not even everyone that played, it goes with the practices too. Everyone involved in the practices, everyone pushing each other and it’s just an overall team win.”

It’s still very early in the season but the win over Center Point Urbana last week and now a win over Williamsburg puts the Trojans on a path they haven’t been on for several years. That path is the conference title. South Tama and Williamsburg both have wins over Vinton. Williamsburg topped Marion 55-52. Clear Creek Amana who the Trojans face tonight fell to CPU (59-53). Benton who the Trojans will face after the holidays beat Marion 75-64. So it’s very much anyone’s game at this point but the Trojans definitely have the advantage with no conference losses.

Coach Dustin Peska isn’t looking too far ahead though. For him it’s a game at a time.

“We’re one game at a time and one day at a time. Right now we will focus on getting healed up and we have CCA on Friday. That’s our focus,” said Peska.