Junior Janette Cervantes attempts a strong shot against a Saydel defender to help the Trojans stay competitive in the 47-42 loss last Tuesday night. PHOTO BY JAMES BRANT

Wins have been the top priority for the South Tama girls basketball program, and last Tuesday night against the Saydel Eagles provided a good opportunity to capture their first win of the new season. Following a loss to the Marshalltown Bobcats in their season opener, the Trojans look to get their first win in their 2023 home debut.

Both teams started off on track on both offense and defense. Seniors Kayla Heck and Takia Rosenburger handled the offensive duties for the Trojans while on defense Freshman Jaslene Lasley and Senior Sienna DeFoe were anchors in holding the Saydel offense in check. At the end of the first Saydel led by one with a score of 11-10.

To start off the second quarter the Eagles offense started to go on a run as Junior Paige Rummans grabbed offensive rebounds for easy layups on consecutive possessions. But even as the Eagles went on a run South Tama responded with one of their own right before halftime to walk into the locker room with a manageable deficit of 21-17 Saydel.

As the second half got underway, the STC girls came out on a mission. Freshman Olivia Hala provided a much needed offensive spark for the Trojans allowing them to score the most points of the game in the third quarter. Above all the defense of South Tama really stepped up, only holding Saydel to four points in the third quarter giving the Trojans a 32-25 lead going into the final quarter of play.

Unfortunately for South Tama, the Saydel offense wasn’t going to be stopped again as junior Paige Rummans led the Eagles as they made their comeback to retake the lead. After a back and forth final five minutes, Saydel ended up on top completing their comeback by defeating South Tama 47-42.

Senior Takia Rosenburger dribbles the basketball up the court for the Trojans against Saydel last Tuesday night. Rosenburger finished with two points. PHOTO BY JAMES BRANT

Senior Kayla Heck led the Trojans in scoring on the day with 17 points, going 8-of-18 from the field. Following that scoring 13 points was Freshman Olivia Hala. Freshman Jaslene Lasley led South Tama in rebounds with 7 rebounds, 3 of those being offensive rebounds. The South Tama girls played at home against West Delaware on Dec. 1 and then on the road against CP-U on Dec. 5.