Alden-Conger came to town and topped the sixth-grade girls 15-8 on Thursday.
But it was a solid effort by the let’s-just-pretend-we’re-in-junior-high Clipper sixth graders, especially since the Knights, led by a 6-1 forward, scored 27 points on them in their earlier meeting.
“Our girls played tough,” said coach Myrriah Rutz. “They got some good rebounds, and they did a good job containing their tall girl.”
The Clippers flipped on the scoreboard when Natalie Flowers (above) pulled up for a jumper, but the Clippers were off target after that, and the Knights scored the next dozen points, seven of them by their big, to lead 12-2 at the break.
With a layup, a jumper and a basket after the Clippers pressed and stole, Flowers also scored all the Clipper baskets in the second half. Tightening their defensive game, the Clippers limited the Knights to just a free throw after halftime.
The sixth-grade girls travel to Madelia on Tuesday and close out their junior high season with a game at Loyola on February 5.
The sixth-grade girls basketball team: from L-R, front row: Kenzie Kortuem, Addison Sandhurst, Lily McMillian and Kylie Wobbrock. Back row: Emily Baker, Harley Samuelson, Gretchen Heldberg, Hadley Thompson and Natalie Flowers.
Gretchen Heldberg dribbles toward the lane.
Hadley Thompson on the fast break.
Kenzie Kortuem coils for a shot.
Addison Sandhurst looks for an open teammate.
Kylie Wobbrock guides the ball around a Knight defender.
Lily McMillian sets for a shot.
Harley Samuelson eyes the bucket.