STC senior Daniel Wiese goes up for a contested shot against CPU. The Trojans pulled out a 52-50 win, their first of the season. PHOTO BY MACY WELSH

It was another great night for basketball at the STC roadhouse, as the CPU Stormin’ Pointers traveled to take on the South Tama Trojans last Tuesday night. After a close loss to Saydel in their last game, the Trojan boys looked to bounce back with a win at home to build momentum as the season continued.

The game started out about as evenly matched as it could be, with both teams going back and forth getting points on offense and stops on defense. For the Trojans seniors Tommy Tyynismaa and Jeramy Dolash were getting to the basket quickly and often for easy layups while freshman Emerson Bridgewater played great defense down low preventing CPU from getting any easy points. Even with South Tama’s impressive performance the Stormin’ Pointers were able to keep the game close thanks to senior Hunter Holmes and sophomore Cooper Grimm who provided CPU with the offense they needed. Going into halftime, the Trojans led 23-22.

Coming out of halftime, both teams were motivated to pull away and create a sizable lead, but like the first half it was evenly matched to the end. As both teams continued to compete, seniors Daniel Wiese and James Brant added to the Trojans point total to put South Tama up 35-33 going into the fourth quarter.

With one minute left in the game, South Tama found themselves down by one point after giving up a corner three by CPU junior Jackson Brincks to allow the Stormin’ Pointers to take the lead. After smart fouls by the Trojans and missed free throws by CPU, South Tama had the ball on the sideline with exactly one second left on the clock. With Brant inbounding the ball, Wiese and Bridgewater setting a double screen, and Cade Rosenberger set to shoot the final shot it was the perfect formula for a Trojan win. The play worked just as the coaches drew it up as Rosenberger made the final shot and as the celebration started the scoreboard read 52-50, a Trojan victory.

Tyynismaa, Dolash, and Bridgewater all had ten points on the night, followed by Brant and Wiese who both had nine points. Bridgewater led the Trojans in rebounding with eight and Rosenberger led in assists with seven.

Senior James Brant surveys the court on offense to help lead South Tama to their first win at home against CPU. PHOTO BY MACY WELSH

This was South Tama’s first boys basketball win against CPU since 2018, breaking a 10 game losing streak. The Trojan boys traveled to Marion in their next game, followed by two home games on Dec. 12 against Mount Vernon and on Dec. 15 against Grinnell.