St. Clair and Le Sueur-Henderson were the latest victims of the eighth-grade boys. On Monday, they knocked down the visiting Giants 31-17, and on Tuesday they unraveled the Cyclones 40-26.
The Clippers, now 6-0, have matured well since a year ago, when they struggled a bit, said head coach Nancy Heldberg.
“A lot of players have really developed over the summer, stepping up and making contributions. It’s fun to watch.”
It was all Garrett Heldberg in the opening minutes against St. Clair. He hauled down an offensive rebound and scored, picked up a loose ball and scored inside and made the ensuing free throw, stole and dove from coast to coast for a layup and took a Kiptyn Coon feed in for a layup and an 8-2 Clipper lead.
From there, an all-alone Coon made an easy basket from the baseline, and he and Heldberg took turns scoring for a 20-10 Orange & Black lead at the break.
Heldberg made a couple of free throws for the first points of the second half and then assisted a Miles Tomaszewski bucket. Later in the half, Luke Heldberg went to work for a couple of baskets, and the Clippers sailed to the win.
With 27 points and 10 rebounds, Garrett Heldberg had a double-double. Tomaszewski had six points. Coon and Luke Heldberg each contributed four points.
Tomaszewski had four rebounds and four assists. Coon had four rebounds and three assists. Luke Heldberg and Carsyn Ryg each had three rebounds. Wyatt Krenik had one rebound. Ethan Hoehn had one assist.
Not competing for almost a month and with turnovers the issue, Cleveland got off to a slow start against LSH.
“We were rusty,” coach Heldberg said.
But Garrett Heldberg made all four of his free throw attempts and the Clippers had the early lead.
The Giants rebounded and scored, but Ryg took a Garret Heldberg toss inside for a basket, Tomaszewski bagged an outside jumper, and the Clippers led 8-2.
Adding on to Cleveland's lead, Zander Linder airmailed a three, Garrett Heldberg scored again, and the Clippers never looked back.
As the Cyclones adjusted in the second half, Luke Heldberg capitalized for six points. His brother added six more points too, and the Clippers cruised to the victory.
Garrett Heldberg led the Clippers with 10 points and nine rebounds. Tomaszewski, Luke Heldberg and Linder each added five points. Ryg scored four points. Krenik chipped in two points.
The eighth-grade boys will look to make it 7-0 when they road trip to Mankato Loyola on Friday.
Above: Garrett Heldberg drives toward the basket during the Clippers’ game against St. Clair on Tuesday. Beside him is his brother Luke Heldberg.
Carson Ryg plunges toward the basket during the LSH game.
Ethan Hoehn takes a look at the basket while an LSH defender moves in.
Zander Linder releases a shot for three points during the LSH game.
Kiptyn Coon sets up for a shot while a St. Clair defender rushes in.
Wyatt Krenik moves the ball forward while a St. Clair defender awaits.
Miles Tomaszewski stretches for a shot during the second half of the St. Clair game.