Leading visiting Granada-Huntley-East Chain/Truman/Martin Luther for much of the game on Friday, the seventh-grade boys wilted under full-court pressure down the stretch and fell 31-29.
“We weren’t ready for the press,” said coach Nancy Heldberg. “There was no reason we shouldn’t have been since we worked on it in practice. It’s frustrating.”
With just under 5 minutes left, the Jaguars hit a three to deadlock the game at 25.
The Clippers regained the lead when Garrett Heldberg (above) cruised down the baseline and looped in a basket from under the rim, but with a couple points after blocks and a quick steal during a full-court press, the Jaguars quickly went on a six-point run to pull ahead 31-27.
Sticking with the press, the Jags forced another steal and a travel call down the stretch to take away the Clippers’ chance to catch up. Luke Heldberg put in a shot at the buzzer, but it was too little to late, and the Jaguars held on to the win.
The Clippers sizzled after the opening jump. Miles Tomaszewski put in a jumper from the paint for the game’s first basket. Garrett Heldberg added two free baskets, and Tomaszewski plopped in a three and then took a Luke Heldberg handoff up for jump shot and an 8-0 Clipper lead.
The Jaguars put in an inside basket, but Ethan Hoehn scored on a jumper. The next six points went to the visitors though, but Tomaszewski continued with the hot hands when he sunk a three from the corner.
As the half drew to the close the Jaguars made three free baskets and rebounded and scored when the last one missed for five-straight points to narrow their deficit to one, 14-13, at the break.
Picking up where they left off, the Jaguars scored the first two baskets of the second half. Garrett Heldberg drove the baseline for a bucket. The Jags hit a three, but Garrett Heldberg did two on the Clippers next possession. But the Jags responded with a basket from the floor to go in front 22-19.
But Garrett Heldberg scored the next four points to put the Clippers in front 25-22 before the Jaguars knotted the game with a three.
With 15 points, Garrett Heldberg led the effort. Tomaszewski had 10 points. Hoehn and Luke Heldberg each added a basket.
The seventh-grade boys travel to Nicollet today (Tuesday) and close out their season on Thursday when they take a road trip to Madelia.
Luke Heldberg drives through the paint for a shot.
Miles Tomaszewski takes aim.
Ethan Hoehn sets his site on the basket.
Jack Anderson on defense.
Wyatt Krenik brings the ball down court.
Zander Linder brings the ball across the three-point arc.
Jackson Kopp dribbles toward the basket.