NEWS CHRONICLE PHOTO BY STEVE BRANT — Warrior freshman Dayeci Davenport (1) shoots over STC senior Janette Cervantes (4).

In a close, back-and-forth contest, the Meskwaki Settlement girls basketball team beat STC 39-38 on their home courts Monday night, Jan. 27.

The Warriors got off to a quick lead in the first quarter before the Trojans tied the score 6-6 behind three point baskets by freshmen Cahysia Kapayou and Dyan Keahna. That sparked an STC run, and the Trojans held a 13-8 advantage at the end of the opening quarter.

But Meskwaki came out in the second quarter with a full-court press and created some Trojan turnovers. A 7-0 Warrior run gave them a 15-13 lead. The teams traded buckets for the rest of the quarter, with STC getting key scores from freshman Scout Ridout, senior Janette Cervantes, and Kapayou. The Warriors were led by sophomore Isabella Kapayou’s 10 first-half points, and the teams took a 20-20 tie into the halftime break.

As STC came out of the locker room, they got quick baskets by Keahna and junior Rylee Ridout to take a 25-22 lead. But towards the midway point of the third quarter, the Warriors went on a run that proved to be the decisive stretch of the game. In the last half of the quarter, Meskwaki outscored STC 11-2 and grabbed a 33-27 going into the final eight minutes.

But Rylee Ridout came out and scored 5 points in the first half of the fourth quarter and kept the Trojans in the game. After Keahna added a basket, STC drew to within two points, 37-35, with 3:49 left in the game. The Warriors answered with a score from sophomore Dorothy Bear, which was quickly answered by a basket from the Trojan’s Scout Ridout. This kept the Meskwaki lead at two points, 39-37. STC had multiple possessions within the last two minutes of the game to tie or take the lead. But they could only add one free throw, and Meskwaki escaped with the 39-38 victory.

NEWS CHRONICLE PHOTO BY STEVE BRANT — Meskwaki sophomore Isabella Kapayou lays the ball up against STC. Kapayou led the Warriors with 12 points.

For the game, Meskwaki was led by Isabella Kapayou with 12 points, followed by Bear with 11. The Trojans were led in scoring by Ryleee Ridout with 10 points. Cahysia Kapayou added 8, Keahna chipped in 6, and Scout Ridout scored 4.

STC’s (2-14) next game is a trip to Benton on Friday night, Jan. 31. Meskwaki (5-6) plays their next game on the same date, Jan. 31, when they travel to North Tama.

NEWS CHRONICLE PHOTO BY STEVE BRANT — STC freshman Cahysia Kapayou (3) is guarded by Meskwaki freshman Isabella Bear (11).

NEWS CHRONICLE PHOTO BY STEVE BRANT — STC junior Rylee Ridout (10) shoots over Meskwaki freshman Vawn Lasley (31). Ridout led the Trojans in scoring with 10 points.

NEWS CHRONICLE PHOTO BY STEVE BRANT — STC freshman Scout Ridout (14) advances the ball guarded by Meskwaki's freshman Isabella Bear (11).

NEWS CHRONICLE PHOTO BY STEVE BRANT — STC freshman Dyan Keahna shoots against Meskwaki. Keahna scored 6 points for the Trojans.