South Tama sophomore Daniel Wiese, with ball, is pursued on his way to the basket by Saydel defender Camden Lo (1) during the first half of Monday’s non-conference boys’ basketball game in Tama. Wiese scored a team-leading 20 points in the Trojans’ 46-42 loss to the Eagles. -- Photo by Noah Rohlfing

With less than five minutes left in Monday night’s non-conference game with Saydel, South Tama boys’ basketball was in control and seemingly on its way to a first victory in 2021-22.

But when the clock hit 0:00, Saydel was on top, 46-42. The Trojans were frustrated and were still in search of their first win after leading by seven in the fourth quarter, dropping to 0-8 on the year.

The nearly-win started strong for South Tama, as the Trojans took an 8-6 lead after the first quarter and performed well defensively.

However, a 9-0 Saydel run handed control over to the Eagles. South Tama fought back to keep the deficit to three points at the half at 21-18.

Head coach Dustin Peska was proud of the Trojans for keeping themselves in the game well into the fourth quarter.

South Tama’s Tommy Tyynismaa, center, splits the defense on his way down the lane during the Trojans’ game against Saydel on Monday night in Tama. The visiting Eagles rallied for a 46-42 win. -- Photo by Noah Rohlfing

“Team effort was there,” Peska said. “We moved the ball well, we were unselfish for the most part, we found the hot hand. Defensively, I know we got after it. We got out-rebounded a little bit there, but the effort was there.”

In the third quarter, momentum changed hands multiple times before sophomore wing Daniel Wiese caught fire. Three straight 3-pointers from Wiese got the crowd back in it and put the Trojans in the lead 35-31 at the end of the quarter.

The lead got pushed to 40-35 with less than four minutes to play and the Trojans had to just golf on. But turnovers, missed shots on offense and a late surge from the Eagles put those plans to the side.

Peska said South Tama’s inexperience in game-winning situations played a part in how the final minutes played out.

“When it came down to crunch time, kids that are not in that situation very often, it showed,” Peska said. “It’s something we don’t really work on because you got so many other things to work on. We need to learn how to win.”

South Tama had 20 points from Wiese, seven points from Cade Rosenberger and five points from Trusten Rosenberger.

The following night the Trojans took a 60-33 loss to Vinton-Shellsburg to end the 2021 calendar year.

Saydel 46, South Tama 42

SAYDEL (2-5) — Mason Hicks 0 2-2 2, Camden Lo 7 6-8 22, Shyne Lo 1 0-0 2, Dallas Wicks 0 0-0 0, Judd Roberts 6 2-3 14, AJ Ollin 1 0-0 2, Gabe Smith 0 0-0 0, Austin Maeder 1 0-0 2, Brayden Mallory 1 0-0 2. TOTALS 17 10-13 46.

SOUTH TAMA (0-8) — Lance Davenport 1 0-0 2, Trusten Rosenberger 2 1-1 5, Kendall Balderas 1 0-0 2, Daniel Wiese 8 0-1 20, Miles Zmolek 1 0-2 2, Cade Rosenberger 2 2-2 7, Pedro Nunez Cruz 0 0-0 0, Tommy Tyynismaa 2 0-0 4, Cole Eisentrager 0 0-0 0. TOTALS 17 3-6 42.

SAYDEL 6 15 10 15 — 46

SOUTH TAMA 8 10 17 7 — 42

3-Point Goals-Saydel 2 (C.Lo 2), STC 5 (Wiese 4, C.Rosenberger). Total Fouls-Saydel 15, STC 16. Fouled Out-None. Technical Foul-Balderas.