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STC girls basketball season ends

STC freshman Cahysia Kapayou drives to the basket around a Marion defender. PHOTO BY STEVE BRANT

The STC girls basketball team wrapped up their 2024-2025 season last week with a pair of losses to the Marion Wolves and the PCM Mustangs.

Marion came to town on Tuesday, Feb. 11, for the Trojans final home game. The Wolves jumped out to an early lead and held a 19-7 edge at the end of the first quarter. Freshman Dyan Keahna scored all 7 points for the Trojans in the opening quarter.

When fellow freshman Scout Ridout hit a 3-point basket to open the second quarter, the Trojans had cut the lead to single digits. But Marion’s dynamic duo of senior Madeline Pavelka and sophomore Harlow Griffin were too much to handle in the first half, scoring 13 and 14 points respectively, and Marion took a 39-18 lead into the halftime break.

The Trojans continued to fight in the second half, but Marion was too strong offensively, hitting a total of seven three pointers on the night. The Wolves pulled away for the victory, 70-32. On the night, Marion was led by Pavelka (20 points) and Griffin–who finished with a double-double for the game (18 points, 13 rebounds). The Trojans were led in scoring by three freshmen: Keahna (14 points), Cahysia Kapayou (13 points), and Scout Ridout (3 points).

Following the tough loss, the Trojans set their sights on postseason play. For their first round regional playoff game, they traveled to Monroe to face PCM on Saturday, February 15. STC knew they were in for a tough challenge, as the Mustangs entered the game with a record of 19-3 on the season.

Trojan freshman Scout Ridout speeds past Marion's Grace Whalen. PHOTO BY STEVE BRANT

The Trojans got off to a very slow start offensively in the game, with PCM taking an early 11-0 lead. But after scores from Keahna, Scout Ridout, and Kapayou, STC cut the lead to 18-9 at the end of the first quarter. After Scout Ridout scored on the opening possession of the second quarter, STC was within seven points and had put themselves in a position to put significant pressure on heavily favored Mustangs.

But in the critical stretch of the game, the Trojans committed five turnovers on their next six possessions, and failed to cut further into the lead. The Mustangs eventually went on a 15-3 run to end the second quarter, and took a 33-14 advantage into the half.

STC continued to fight in the second half but PCM ran away to a victory by the final margin of 56-28. For the game, the Trojans were hurt by a total of 32 turnovers. The Mustangs were led by junior Tori Lindsey, with 22 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists. Freshman Libby Winters added 14 points and 12 rebounds. Like the game against Marion, the Trojans were led in scoring in their final game by Keahna (8 points) and Kapayou (7 points). Senior Madison Hitchcock and junior Rylee Ridout added 4 points each. Rylee Ridout also pulled in 9 rebounds on the night.

The Trojans end their 2024-2025 season with a record of 2-20. With victories over Union and the Meskwaki Settlement School, STC had their highest win total in a season since the 2018-2019 campaign.

STC senior Janette Cervantes defends against Marion on Feb. 11. PHOTO BY STEVE BRANT

Trojan freshman Dyan Keahna guards Marion's Ellie Morris. Keahna led STC in scoring for the game with 14 points. PHOTO BY STEVE BRANT

STC junior Rylee Ridout pulls up for a shot against Marion's Harlow Griffen. PHOTO BY STEVE BRANT