Trojan senior Jerome Kapayou drives to the basket past Marion's Jaryn Griffith. PHOTO BY STEVE BRANT

The STC boys basketball team held their final home game of the season on Tuesday night, Feb. 11. It was also senior night for STC, as they were looking to score a key victory over the Marion Wolves in their only matchup of the season.

Both teams got off to a slow offensive start, with the score being knotted up at 4-4 until two minutes left in the first quarter. But STC junior Marion Harris rattled off 5 quick points, including a 3-pointer at the quarter’s buzzer, and the Trojans jumped out to a 9-6 advantage.

But Marion quickly regained the lead in the second quarter, as they began to heat up from beyond the 3-point arc. The Wolves would hit a total of eleven 3-pointers on the night, with the first two coming on back-to-back possessions early in the second quarter–both by sophomore Jaryn Griffith. Marion would stretch their lead to 16-9 before the Trojans responded with scores from Harris, junior Tanner Large, and senior Jerome Kapayou. The Wolves, however, would hold on to a ten-point lead at the half, 26-16.

In the third quarter, the Wolves continued to stretch their lead by hitting four 3-pointers, including three by senior Caden Kinzenbaw. As the Trojans tried to keep pace, Large and junior Cyrell Etzen led the scoring efforts. But STC found it hard to slow Marion down, and the Wolves extended their lead to 54-33.

Marion dominated the final quarter of play, outscoring STC 15-5. Etzen kept up his hot shooting, scoring all five of the Trojan’s points. But Marion pulled away for the victory by a score of 69-38.

STC junior Marion Harris scores two of his eight points in the game against Marion. PHOTO BY STEVE BRANT

For the game, Marion was led by Griffith’s 23 points (including five 3-pointers). The Trojans were led in scoring by Large and Etzen, who scored 13 points each. Harris added 8 points. STC honored four seniors during the evening’s festivities: Damias Bear, Leo Garcia, Kapayou, and Marten Langen.

Up next for the Trojans is their first round playoff game in Class 3A, Substate 5. STC travels to Waverly on Monday, Feb. 24, to face the Waverly-Shell Rock Go-Hawks (16-5).

Trojan junior Tanner Large shoots against Marion on Tuesday night, Feb. 11. PHOTO BY STEVE BRANT

STC junior Cyrell Etzen advances the ball against Marion's Austin Goodrich. PHOTO BY STEVE BRANT

Trojan junior Nick Upah looks to pass to teammate Marion Harris. PHOTO BY STEVE BRANT