While the Clipper C boys out played host Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton for much of the game on Monday, the Bulldogs took advantage of steals early in the second half for a 16-point separation.
The Clippers fought hard from there but couldn’t catch up and fell 58-44.
With Baskets by Braeden Smith, Nathan Seeman and Garrett Heldberg, the Clippers led 6-4 early. After Heldberg took a Smith assist up and in from the paint and followed it up with a three, the Clippers were in front 13-8.
The Bulldogs, coached by Ben Holden (CHS 2021) put in the next two baskets, but Heldberg bagged another three.
After Sam Ternes sunk a pair of free shots, Seeman arced in a three, and Heldberg dumped in another three as well for a 24-18 Clipper advantage. But the Bulldogs grabbed a rebound after a missed foul shot and put it up for a basket, stole twice for baskets and plopped in a three a second before the buzzer for a 27-24 lead at the break.
On a Ternes three, the Clippers tied the game early in the second half, but the Bulldogs responded with a layup and a three. Seeman took long Smith pass in for a bucket, but the Clippers couldn’t keep a handle on the ball, and the Bulldogs went on a 12-point spurt to pull ahead 45-29.
The Clippers fought hard to catch up and outscored JWP 19-9 from there. Smith hauled in an offensive rebound and put it back up for two and followed up with a three and then a drive for two more points. Tanner Simonette plunked in a three. Ternes assisted Smith on an inside bucket, and Simonette ran in a layup after a Smith assist.
Down the stretch, Heldberg put in a three and then a two for his 18th point of the night, but it wasn’t enough, and the Bulldogs held on for the win.
Smith totaled 11 points. Simonette had seven points. Seeman and Ternes each had five points. Nathan Brink chipped in a bucket in the first half.
Heldberg had four threes. Simonette, Seeman, Smith and Ternes each had one three. The Clippers could have won the game at the foul line but were two of 10. The Bulldogs made three threes and were seven of 10 in free throw shooting.
The C Clippers return to action today (Thursday) with a game at Waterville.
Above: Braeden Smith releases a pass with JWP coach Ben Holden looking on.
Tanner Simonette reaches for a getaway ball.
Nathan Seeman slips around a Sam Ternes screen.
Nathan Brink releases a pass.