PHOTO BY STEVE BRANT — Meskwaki's Sevastian Scabbyrobe drives against STC's Cyrell Etzen.

It was a ‘tale of two halves’ for the South Tama boys basketball team against Meskwaki on Monday night, Jan. 27. Trailing at the halftime break, the Trojans came out of the locker room and dominated the second half to gain their first win of the season, 74-54. Reflecting on the victory, Trojan junior Barrett Jesina said, ‘We felt like this was a game we had to win.’

The game started with the Warriors jumping out to a 5-0 lead after freshman Corbin Shuckahosee hit a three-point basket. But STC junior Tanner Large scored a quick 7 points to give the Trojans a 14-11 lead at the end of the first quarter.

After Jesina scored 4 points early in the second quarter, it looked like the Trojans might take control of the game. But the Warriors went on a 11-0 run, retook the lead, and went to the halftime break with a 26-23 edge.

The Trojans remained positive in the locker room at halftime, as they looked to turn things around.

“We talked at halftime about how we were hurting ourselves and what we needed to do better. We tried to help each other out,” Jesina said.

PHOTO BY STEVE BRANT — Meskwaki's Corbin Shuckahosee brings the ball up the court closely guarded by STC's Tanner Large.

The positive tone certainly helped. Playing some of their best ball of the season, STC came out of the locker-room and outscored Meskwaki 31-11 in the third quarter. The Trojans were led by offensive outbursts from both Jesina (10 points) and senior Jerome Kapayou (6 points).

“I’m not sure Jesina or Kapayou missed a basket in the quarter,” Trojan head coach Craig Harrison said after the game.

STC also got a massive contribution from junior Cyrell Etzen, who scored 9 points in the quarter. Junior Nick Upah and Large added 3 points each, and the Trojans had a turn-around to remember — now leading the game 54-37.

The Trojans’ strong play continued in the fourth quarter, as they extended their lead and closed out the game with the convincing 74-53 victory.

Meskwaki was led in scoring by senior Yamni Whiteman, who had a strong performance in the paint and poured in 17 points. STC was led by Jesina’s 20 points, followed by Etzen (15), Large (13), and Kapayou (10).

PHOTO BY STEVE BRANT — STC's Tanner Large is closely guarded by Meskwaki's Layne Steuhm.

Jesina summarized the game and what it meant to the team to secure its first victory.

“I thought tonight was the best we have shared the ball all season. We made the extra pass and found the open man. It means a lot to us as a team to get the first win. Hopefully it can build momentum for us,” he said.

STC (1-14) will play next on Tuesday, Feb. 4, when they host the Grinnell Tigers at the STC High School gym. Meskwaki’s (1-10) next game will be held on Friday night, Jan. 31, when they travel to North Tama.

PHOTO BY STEVE BRANT — Meskwaki's Yamni Whiteman scores 2 of his game high 17 points for the Warriors.

PHOTO BY STEVE BRANT — STC junior Barrett Jesina drives to the basket against Meskwaki's Jarvis Bear Jr. Jesina had a game high 20 points for the Trojans.

PHOTO BY STEVE BRANT — STC junior Cyrell Etzen shoots over Meskwaki's Sevastian Scabbyrobe. Etzen contributed 15 points for the Trojans on the night.