Continuing to roll after losing a couple of games at the conference tournament in Nicollet on January 13, their first and second defeats this season, the eighth-grade boys topped visiting Alden-Conger 43-21 on Tuesday.
The Clippers were coming off a 55-17 win at Le Sueur the Friday before. One day earlier, they avenged one of the conference tournament losses by downing visiting Martin Luther/Granada-Huntley-East Chain/Truman 46-31. On Monday of that busy last week, they topped host Nicollet 49-30.
Garrett Heldberg scored the game’s first basket against Alden-Conger. His twin Luke Heldberg followed up with two, and Miles Tomaszewski pulled down an offensive rebound and scored after a Garrett Heldberg steal. With another Luke Heldberg basket inside, the Clippers were in front 8-0 before the Knights managed a bucket.
Later in the half, Tomaszewski, who went on to lead all scorers with 17 points, arced in a three. Garrett Heldberg scored seven more points, Jack Anderson added a bucket, and the Clippers had a cozy 20-9 advantage at the break.
After Tomaszewski scored the first bucket of the second half, Carsyn Ryg spun for two points. Later, Wyatt Krenik drove through the paint for two, and with six points by Garrett Heldberg, and four more Tomaszewski buckets, the Clippers cruised to the victory.
Garret Heldberg totaled 13 points, including a pair of threes, while his brother Luke had six points Ryg ended up with three points, and Krenik and Anderson each chipped in a bucket.
Against Le Sueur-Henderson on the Le Sueur court, Garrett Heldberg turned in a double-double with 13 points and 15 rebounds.
Tomaszewski had 11 points, two rebounds and two steals. Kiptyn Coon had 10 points, eight rebounds and four steals. Wyatt Krenik had six points, six rebounds and two assists.
Tomaszewski and Krenik each dumped in a three-point basket.
Ryg had six points, one rebound and one steal. Luke Heldberg had two points and five rebounds. Ethan Hoehn had four points and one steal. Harry Fuller had one rebound. Aiden Giese put in a free throw and pulled down a rebound. Zander Linder had two points and three rebounds. Owen Lloyd had one rebound and one steal. Anderson had four rebounds and a pair of assists.
In the rematch at home against ML/GHEC/T, the Jaguars were strong out of the gate and led 4-2 after Ryg took a Tomaszewski pass in for a layup for the game’s first basket, but the Clippers quickly took over.
Garrett Heldberg racked up 16 points, including a pair of threes, and nine rebounds. Krenik and Tomaszewski each had five points. With four points were Coon, Ryg and Luke Heldberg. Anderson had three points. Linder and Lloyd each had two points. Hoehn made one free throw.
Luke Hedberg had six rebounds, three steals and one assist. Ryg had six rebounds, one steal and two assists. Coon had four rebounds and one steal. Fuller and Linder each had a steal.
Against host Nicollet, Coon and Luke Heldberg each had 10 points. Tomaszewski had eight points, including the Clippers’ only three. Garrett Heldberg totaled eight points. Krenik and Ryg each added four points. Fuller and Linder each tossed in a bucket.
Garrett Heldberg hauled down 11 rebounds. Coon clutched seven rebounds, passed for five assists and swiped the ball twice. Fuller had five rebounds and a steal. Ryg had four rebounds, two assists and three steals. Luke Heldberg had four rebounds and two assists. Linder grabbed three rebounds.
Results at the Valley Conference tournament:
Beat Alden-Conger 30-18. Garrett Heldberg had 16 points, including three three-point baskets, and seven rebounds. Luke Heldberg had six points and seven rebounds. Ryg, Krenik and Linder each had two points. Coon and Tomaszewski each made one free throw.
Lost to ML/GHEC/T 23-18. Tomaszewski had nine points, including one three pointer, and three rebounds. Anderson, Ryg, Coon and Luke Heldberg each had two points. Garrett Heldberg had one point and 10 rebounds.
Lost to Lake Crystal-Wellcome Memorial 33-30. Garrett Heldberg had 11 points, including a pair of threes, and 12 rebounds. Coon scored eight points, including one three-point basket. Tomaszewski contributed five points with three of them coming from behind the arc. Anderson, Ryg and Luke Heldberg each added a basket.
Beat Nicollet 49-30. Luke Heldberg had eight points. Garrett Heldberg had eight points and 11 rebounds. Coon had 10 points and seven rebounds. Tomaszewski had nine points, including one three. Krenik and Ryg each had four points. Fuller and Linder each contributed a basket.
The eighth-grade boys will look to continue their streak when they road trip to St. Clair tomorrow (Friday). The Clippers beat the Cyclones 40-26 earlier in the season.
They return to their home hardwood on Monday when they take on Martin County West.
Above: Wyatt Krenik takes the ball inside the arc during the game against Alden-Conger.
Harry Fuller dives toward the basket as an Alden-Conger defender moves in.
Carsyn Ryg coils for a basket during the Alden-Conger game.
Jack Anderson passes over an Alden-Conger defender.
Garrett Heldberg shuffles down the baseline as brother Luke blocks an Alden-Conger defender.
With 17 points, Miles Tomaszewski led the Clippers in their home victory over Alden-Conger.
Kiptyn Coon dribbles by the Clipper bench during the home game against ML/GHEC/T.
Luke Heldberg goes up for a shot on the Le Sueur court.
Zander Linder races by a Le Sueur-Henderson defender.
Ethan Hoehn takes the ball into the lane during the game at Le Sueur.
Aiden Giese looks to hand off at the top of the key in Le Sueur.