Bouncing high up off the rim and then rolling around it after the descent, Nathan Seeman’s shot from three-point land with 10 seconds left finally made its way through the net, putting the C Clippers in front of visiting Madelia 37-35 on Thursday.
Afterwards Mason Kluntz and Gavin Karels teamed up to swipe a Madelia lob inside, thwarting any chance of a Blackhawks score, and the Clippers held on for their third win this season.
After free baskets from Tanner Simonette and Braeden Smith and an Alex Kortuem inside score, Austin Pierce’s three deadlocked the game 8-8. Smith spun for a bucket, and Killian Kunkel added a free throw, but the Blackhawks scored nine points to pull in front 17-11.
Kortuem, Smith and Kluntz scored down the stretch, but Madelia led 24-18 at the break.
Smith grabbed a defensive rebound, drove down the floor and put in a jumper for the first points of the second half. He followed up with a three and then stole to set up a Seeman basket, were suddenly in front by a point, 25-24.
Scoring six of the next seven points, Madelia got back out front.
Smith grabbed a rebound and scored and then put in a fancy layup, Simonette also scored on a layup, and then Smith spun for two more, but the Clippers still trailed by a point, 35-34.
Simonette hauled in an offensive rebound and kicked it back out to Seeman to assist the winning bucket.
Smith steered the Clippers with 16 points. Seeman and Simonette each had five points. Only playing in the first half, Kortuem contributed four points. Pierce and Kluntz each had three points. Kunkel added a free shot.
The Clippers were six of 10 from the foul stripe. Madelia also put in a trio of threes and was 2-7 in free throw shooting.
The C boys are back in action on Tuesday when they host New Ulm Cathedral. Tipoff is at 4:45.
Above: Nathan Seeman glides inside for a shot.
Braeden Smith lengthens for a shot.
Kaysn Zuehlke takes aim.
Killian Kunkel coils for a shot.
Mason Kluntz drives through the lane.
Koby Kopischke stretches for an outside shot.