Extending their undefeated streak to five games, the seventh-grade boys topped visiting Le Sueur-Henderson on Monday, 24-18.
The Clippers led early, trailed by a point in the second half but were in front at the break and, playing a physical game, dominated the second half.
Coach Sean Pickle said that being physical on the court is how the Clippers roll.
“We’re a very aggressive team. That’s just how we play. Considering other teams, we are undersized, but we are very physical, and that’s how we keep up.”
Jeremy Miller’s layup got the Clippers on the board. Tony Hollerich sunk a pair of free baskets and a layup, and Jack Mons (above) stole and scored to put the Clippers in front 8-2.
The Giants scored again, but Mons bagged a shot from the corner and then drove the baseline for another bucket for an 8-point Clipper advantage.
But with a trio of twos capped off with a three, the Giants spurted for nine points to go in front 13-12.
Mons responded on the next trip down court with a layup and the ensuing free throw, and the Clippers led 15-13 at the intermission.
LSH tied the game early in the second half, but Mons, working inside, faked a shot to juke the defender and then made another step inside, where he put the ball up and in. Hollerich dropped in the second of two foul shots, but the Giants scored to pull within one.
The rest of the game was all Clippers though. They were off target for a few minutes, but Hollerich broke the dry spell when he pulled down a defensive rebound and glided down court for a layup that put his team up 20-17.
Giving the Clippers a little breathing room, Miller pulled down the rebound from his own jump shot and circled into the paint for a basket. The Giants managed a free throw, but Brayden Seeman iced two free throws to put the finishing touches on the Clipper triumph.
With 11 points, Mons paced the Clippers. Hollerich added seven points. Miller contributed four points, and Seeman chipped in two points.
The seventh graders will host St. Clair tonight (Tuesday).
Brayden Seeman looks for an open teammate.
Tony Hollerich on the steal and layup in the second half.