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Warrior girls hold off Trojans in Tama County battle

Meskwaki forward Kelayna White, who scored a game high 23 points in her team’s win over South Tama, goes up for a shot in the paint on Monday. Photo by Robert Maharry.

The Meskwaki girls’ basketball team parlayed a hot start into an early 16-6 lead and held off a late comeback attempt by South Tama to secure a 38-33 home win in a non-conference matchup between two high schools separated by just six miles on Monday night.

The Warriors (2-10) led 10-6 after the opening frame and jumped out to the aforementioned 10-point advantage after a 6-0 run to start the second quarter. From there, however, STC clawed back, cutting the lead to three after senior Arro Lyons banked in a long triple from the top of the key. The score stood at 16-13 at halftime.

Although the Trojans (1-13) got to within one at the beginning of the third quarter, the Warriors extended the lead back to six before STC went on another mini-run and had it back to within one at 26-25 at the end of the third after another Lyons jumper.

The fourth quarter followed a similar pattern. Meskwaki’s Kelayna White, who finished with a game-high 23 points, scored consecutive baskets, and a lay-in by Sia Bear pushed the Warrior lead to 34-27.

The resilient Trojans again fought back and pulled within three at 36-33, but a pair of late free throws allowed Meskwaki to regain a five-point advantage and run out the clock to secure the victory.

South Tama guard Takia Rosenberger makes a move to the hoop against Meskwaki’s Irene Keahna during Monday night’s game. Photo by Robert Maharry.

Meskwaki coach Heath Brown credited his team for pushing the ball, working to get easy baskets, and working on their defense to get a win.

“A lot of time, we get caught reaching a lot. We get caught not really moving our feet, so that’s what we’re trying to work on as a team,” Brown said.

Aside from White’s 23, Sia Bear was the next leading Meskwaki scorer with nine points. On the South Tama side, Lyons led the way with 10 points, including two three-pointers, and Zeara Kapayou added six.

Brown said White played another “aggressive” game, which he was happy to see.

“Usually, she’s not that aggressive, but the last two or three games, she’s been going to the hoop a lot stronger and rebounding,” Brown said.

Meskwaki’s Daelia Lasley lines up a three-pointer as a pair of South Tama defenders swarms to contest the shot during Monday night’s game. Photo by Robert Maharry.

Meskwaki guard Sia Bear puts up a shot during Monday night’s nonconference win over South Tama. She finished with nine points. Photo by Robert Maharry.

South Tama’s Sienna DeFoe, center, puts up a contested shot in the paint during Monday night’s game while Meskwaki’s Irene Keahna and Sophie Balderas attempt to block it. Photo by Robert Maharry.

South Tama’s Kayla Heck puts up a shot late in Monday night’s game against Meskwaki. The Warriors defeated the Trojans 38-33. Photo by Robert Maharry.