PHOTOS BY STEVE BRANT - STC senior Rylee Ridout dives for a loose ball against East Marshall .

The STC girls basketball team ended their season with a dominant performance against East Marshall on February 9, followed by a first-round playoff loss to Tipton on February 14.

Three-pointers were pouring down when the Trojans traveled to LeGrand to face the Mustangs. STC hit seven shots from long distance on the night, while, incredibly, the Mustangs made nine three-point field goals, converted on five free throws, and only made one two-point field goal all night. In the end, STC ran away with a 53-34 victory.

Against East Marshall, the Trojans were led in scoring by sophomore Cahysia Kapayou with 18 points. Also scoring for the Trojans were: sophomore Dyan Keahna (13), junior Olivia Hala (9), senior Rylee Ridout (5), junior Taylor Dolezal (4), sophomore Stella Zmolek (2), and sophomore Paityn Yuska (2). Ridout led STC with 7 rebounds, while Hala distributed 6 assists.

The victory in LeGrand ended up being the final win of the season for the Trojans. Following that game, STC lost at Marion (8-15) on Tuesday, February 10. They, then, traveled to Tipton to face a tough Tiger team (21-3) in the first round of the class 3A, region 5 postseason playoffs. On that night, STC lost a defensive battle, 45-24.

First year head coach Laura Ridout and the Trojans ended the season with a record of 6-15. Their six wins are the most for the program since the 2018-2019 season, when they finished 12-8. STC had not won more than two games a season for the past six seasons. They gained WaMaC conference wins over Vinton-Shellsburg (twice) and Grinnell; and non-conference wins over Saydel, Union, and East Marshall.

STC sophomore Paityn Yuska operates in the post against East Marshall.

According to final statistics recorded on Bound, five of STC’s six top scorers will all return next season. Keahna (203) was the only Trojan to score over 200 points. In addition, Kapayou (148), sophomore Scout Ridout (111), Hala (90), and Zomlek (49) will all return to the program next winter. STC’s lone senior, Rylee Ridout, had a strong performance in her final year. She was fifth in scoring (51), the team’s leading rebounder (103), and fourth in field goal percentage (25.6%). Other statistical leaders included: Scout Ridout in steals (69), Hala in assists (52), Kapayou in free-throw percentage (65.2%), and Keahna in both field goal percentage (37.6%) and three-point percentage (37%).

STC sophomore Cahysia Kapayou shoots a three pointer against East Marshall.

STC sophomore Scout Ridout steals the ball against East Marshall.

STC sophomore Stella Zmolek eyes the basket on a free throw against East Marshall.

STC junior Taylor Dolezal passes the ball against East Marshall.

STC junior Mady Boriskey plays tough defense against East Marshall.

STC sophomore Dyan Keahna attempts to block a shot against East Marshall.

STC junior Olivia Hala runs the offense for the Trojans against East Marshall.