The South Tama boys’ basketball team played their home opener against rival Grinnell on November 29. The Tigers beat the Trojans for the third consecutive year, 81-40. Pictured for the Trojans’ defense are Kendall Balderas (20), Miles Zmolek (32), Tommy Tyynismaa (10), Pedro Nunez (5) and Lance Davenport (3). – Photo by Darvin Graham

The road has not been easy for the South Tama County Trojans in recent years. Small, inexperienced rosters have put the team at a disadvantage, so their record over the past three seasons is a surprising 1-60.

But players and coaches can’t afford to dwell on that number or much of what has happened in the past.

“The heart, effort and energy are not lacking in these young individuals” Head coach Dustin Peska said. “They played hard in our first two games and if they continue like this they will continue to improve throughout the year.”

South Tama held their first game of the season at the Roundhouse on Monday, November 29, against their rival Grinnell.

The Trojans ran hard to Grinnell in the first quarter, pressing once the ball hit halfway, forcing several turnovers.

Guard Tommy Tyynismaa turns on the afterburners as he accelerates past Grinnell’s Aaron Campell in the Trojans’ opener on November 29. Tyynismaa punctuated the Trojans with 16 points and became the team’s returning top scorer in second year. – Photo by Darvin Graham

However, South Tama couldn’t capitalize on the offense and was still outscored 13-7 in the first quarter.

The second quarter went the same with Grinnell in charge but not fully able to pull away from South Tama.

Coming out of the break, the defense gave way to the offense and the Tigers launched into the race.

In the second half, Grinnell edged South Tama by 27 points to claim an 81-40 victory.

The Trojans’ top scorer on Monday was Tyynismaa who scored 16 points in an overall performance, scoring two-point field goals, three-point shots and free throws.

Kendall Balderas (20) stops for a jump over the outstretched arm of Braden Blackford (24). Balderas scored six points and took three rebounds in the loss to the Trojans on Monday night. – Photo by Darvin Graham

Davenport and Balderas were next to score behind Tyynismaa with nine and six points respectively.

The main rebounders for the Trojans were Nunez and Trusten Rosenberger who each had five.

The Tigers were led by Calvin Jaworski who scored 20 points. Starting center Aaron Campbell also had a good night scoring 10 points while racking up 22 rebounds.

South Tama hit the road the next night to confront Solon.

The Spartans came away with a dominant 69-24 victory over South Tama.

Cade Rosenberger takes to the skies on a quick transition past Dylan McIlrath of Grinnell. Rosenberger will join a deep guard rotation that includes experienced seniors Kendall Balderas and Lance Davenport, his classmate Tommy Tyynismaa and senior transfer Osceola Tyon. – Photo by Darvin Graham

Team Perspectives

Les Troyens lost their top two scorers last season. Eli Keahna graduated last spring and now plays at the college level with Bacone College. Behind Keahna, forward Gavin Bridgewater was the team’s second-leading scorer and rebounder and added an extra size under the hoop.

This season, Bridgewater has turned to wrestling, leaving the Trojans with inexperienced forwards in the front court.

In the backcourt, South Tama returns with a lot more experience among seniors Kendall Balderas and Lance Davenport. Both have played significant college minutes over the past two years and have become comfortable with handling the ball and looking to score.

Senior Trusten Rosenberger has also been in the program since his first year and will be in demand for his speed and intensity in defense.

Track and cross country athlete Tommy Tyynismaa will also be a big part of the Trojans’ game plan this season.

Tyynismaa was the team’s third-leading scorer last year as a rookie and his athleticism and conditioning will be invaluable in anchoring the shooting guard or little striker throughout a game.

Senior Guard Osceola Tyon joined South Tama’s roster after attending Meskwaki Settlement School for the 2020-21 school year. He will be eligible to compete with the team in January once the 90-day transfer requirement has been met.

During his junior year, Tyon was an offensive force for the Warriors, averaging 16.6 points per game while helping his team at the 1A Substate Championships.

Tyon is also the younger brother of 2018 former South Tama Sterling Tyon who was an All-Conference first team player during his senior season when the Trojans advanced to the 3A Substate Championship game. .

Other goalkeepers looking to see some significant playing time this year are senior Pedro Nunez and second student Cade Rosenberger.

The WaMaC

While South Tama has no plans to compete beyond the lower level of the WaMaC conference, the overall picture of the conference in the boys’ landscape is murky.

None of the WaMaC West schools made it past the first round of the Substate Playoffs last season and only Clear Creek-Amana finished with a winning record.

The talent balance clearly leans towards the East Division with schools like Solon and Mount Vernon each competing in the Substate Championships last season and Beckman Catholic qualifying for the State 2A tournament.

On paper, the Trojans’ best opportunities for a win or at least competitive games can come against two conference competitions against Benton Community and non-conference clashes against Saydel and Meskwaki.

South Tama returns home on Friday to face Beckman Catholic and will host Mount Vernon next Tuesday.

During the month of December, the men’s team will play additional home games on December 14 (vs. CP-U), December 20 (vs. Saydel) and December 21 (vs. Vinton-Shellsburg).

A new feature that fans will immediately notice upon entering the Roundhouse is the newly installed digital scoreboard which replaced the four-sided skybox that hung in the center of the gym ceiling.

The new digital board was funded by South Tama Activity Boosters and is used for the first time this season.