NEWS CHRONICLE PHOTO BY STEVE BRANT — STC junior Michael Henry and the Trojans fell to West Delaware, 76-54.

As the Christmas break approaches, the STC boys basketball team looked for their first victory of the season when they hosted West Delaware on Friday night, Dec. 12. Despite a spirited second half effort, however, the Trojans fell to the Hawks by a score of 76-54.

When STC junior Jordan DeFoe hit on a basket midway through the first quarter, he gave the Trojans a 5-4 lead. But the Hawks went on a 20-2 run and ended the quarter with a 24-7 advantage. Turnovers and giving up offensive rebounds doomed STC for the rest of the half, and West Delaware took a commanding 42-18 lead into the halftime locker-room.

But the Trojans emerged from the break with what was likely their best quarter of play in the young season. STC came out with an 8-0 run, fueled by 6 points from senior Barrett Jesina and 2 points from senior Tanner Large. Showing good energy in the quarter, the Trojans continued to find offensive scores from Large, senior Cyrell Etzen, and senior Wes Hanus. But they could not catch up to the Hawks, who still held an advantage, 55-36, at the end of the third quarter.

In the final quarter, Jesina remained hot for STC, scoring an additional 7 points. But West Delaware continued to hold off the Trojans and they rolled to their 76-54 victory.

On the night, the Trojans were led in scoring by Large with 15 points. Jesina added 13, which all came in the second half. STC’s scoring was rounded out by Etzen (9 points), Defoe (4 points), senior Marion Harris (4 points), Hanus (3 points), junior Ayden Wobeter (3 points), sophomore Ryan Brant (2 points), and junior Chanden Graybeal (1 point).

Up next for the Trojans (0-4, 0-2 in WaMaC play) is a trip to Vinton-Shellsburg on Friday, Dec. 19. Then, following the Christmas break, STC will travel to Independence to take on the Mustangs on Friday, Jan. 2. The Trojans’ next home game will be on Friday, Jan. 9, against Mount Vernon.