NEWS CHRONICLE PHOTO BY STEVE BRANT – STC sophomore Ryan Brant looks to gain position for a rebound against Williamsburg.

If stealing was wrong in the game of basketball, the STC boys basketball team would be on the naughty list this Christmas season. The Trojans used 14 steals, many of them coming at key moments of the game, to secure their first win of the season: an 82-74 victory over Williamsburg on Tuesday, Dec. 16.

“It feels really good to get our first win,” said senior guard Tanner Large. “It was a real team win.”

Turnovers hurt the Trojans early, as the Raiders jumped out to a 7-2 lead. But the steals started coming early as STC ratcheted up their defense. Steals by senior Barrett Jesina and senior Cyrell Etzen led to easy buckets by Jesina and Large. The Trojans had cut the lead to 7-6. A few minutes later, a bucket by senior Wes Hanus gave STC their first lead at 8-7. But the teams battled to an even 13-13 score at the end of the first quarter.

A steal by junior Michael Henry led to an Etzen three-pointer to open the 2nd quarter. Etzen went on to score a quick 8 points to give STC a 21-15 lead. However, Williamsburg went on 7-0 run to overtake the Trojans and gain a 22-21 lead. But STC closed the quarter with a 19-11 flurry, fueled by six points from Jesina and five points from Etzen. STC carried a 40-33 into the halftime break.

Coming out of the locker room, however, the Raiders quickly went on a 10-2 run. Suddenly, the Trojan’s lead had evaporated and they found themselves down 43-42 nearly midway through the 3rd quarter. But, once again, it was steals that led to the turning point of the game. Steals by senior Marion Harris and Jesina on back-to-back possessions both led to run-out layups by sophomore Ryan Brant. Following Brant’s four points, Harris chipped in a basket and Etzen added five points. STC had pulled away to a 53-43 advantage with a lead they would not relinquish again. By the end of the third quarter, STC held a 60-55 lead.

NEWS CHRONICLE PHOTO BY STEVE BRANT – STC senior Tanner Large runs the offense against Williamsburg. Large had 14 points and 14 rebounds in the contest.

The Raiders cut the lead to as close as three points in the final quarter. But more steals, and two technical fouls against Williamsburg in the final three minutes of the game, helped the Trojans seal the victory, 82-74.

On the night, STC was led in scoring by Etzen, who poured in 28 points (along with 10 rebounds). Also recording a double-double for the Trojans was Jesina, with 20 points and 11 rebounds. Large recorded an impressive 14 points and 14 assists. Brant, Hanus, and Harris each contributed 6 points. Henry added 2 points. Large also led the Trojans with 4 of their 14 steals.

With the win, STC not only got their first win of the season, but also a key WaMaC conference victory. The Trojans had played well in the second half of their last game. Though it was a loss against West Delaware, Jesina noted that the better play carried over to the game against Williamsburg.

“All week at practice we talked about how we had figured out some things. We felt like we discovered what we are capable of as a team,” Said Jesina.

The Trojans (1-4) return to action after the Christmas break with a game at Independence on Jan. 2. STC’s next home game will be Jan. 9 against Solon.

NEWS CHRONICLE PHOTO BY STEVE BRANT – STC senior Marion Harris drives to the basket against Williamsburg.

NEWS CHRONICLE PHOTO BY STEVE BRANT – STC senior Cyrell Etzen scored 28 points in the victory against Williamsburg.