An 11-point lead with just under seven minutes remaining faded away on Monday, and the Cleveland varsity girls fell in their season opener to host Kenyon-Wanamingo 53-49.
Despite the loss, head coach Myrriah Rutz was proud of the Clippers.
“We came back a different team than we were last year. They learned a lot about time management, but they continue to play together, which I really like to see. That was our message to the entire team, to move the ball, and I thought we did that really well.”
Emma Kortuem grabbed a rebound and scored for the game’s first basket, and the Clippers were never behind in the first half. With a Taylor McCabe drive to the hoop for a bucket, a Kortuem baseline drive for two and a Harper Rutz layup after a Kaitlyn Flowers steal and assist, the Clippers were in front 9-5.
The Class 2A Knights, who had already played a game, a 55-48 loss to Filmore Central, scored the next two buckets to deadlock the game at nine, but McCabe responded with a layup and a free basket, and Flowers hit a layup that put the Clippers up 14-11.
The Knights bagged a three to knot the game 14-14, but Kortuem sunk a pair of free shots, Mollie Bowman scored from inside and Rutz canned a three to put the Clippers in front 21-14.
From there, the Knights made five of six free throw attempts to pull within a basket, but with a Rutz basket and a Kortuem three just in front of the buzzer, the Clippers went into the locker room up 26-20 even though McCabe’s court time was limited by three fouls.
McCabe’s foul trouble ended up being the story of the game, but Rutz said the rest of the Clippers managed it.
“Kenyon-Wanamingo took advantage of it, but the people who came in for her really stepped up, and Taylor was able to have a great game regardless.”
Back on the floor to start the second half, McCabe made up for lost time with the Clippers’ first 11 points for a 37-25 Clipper advantage.
The Knights buried a pair of threes to pull within five, 39-34, but McCabe rattled off the next five six points for a 45-34 Clipper lead.
On a three, a steal and layup and three free baskets, the Knights scored the next seven points. McCabe planted squarely in front of a Knight drive and took the hit, but the infraction went to her, her fourth foul, and the Knights added another free throw.
Later, the Clipper defense picked up another foul that could have been offensive, but Rutz said the girls kept their frustration level in check.
“You’re going to get some calls, and you’re not going to get some calls, but the girls’ energy management didn’t change because of them. They were able to stay on course. There are just so many good things I saw tonight.”
Brooke Bosse put in a pair of free shots to finally break up the rally, but on a pair of jumpers, the Knights stalemated the game at 47. McCabe made a free shot, but the Knights pulled down an offensive rebound and put it back up for a basket and a 49-48 lead with 2:44 remaining.
A McCabe free shot was the last Clipper point, and the Knights, with another bucket and two baskets from the foul line, slowed the tempo and hung on for the win.
With nine baskets and nine free throws, McCabe led the Clipper effort. Kortuem and nine points, including two free throws and a three. Rutz put in a pair of two-point baskets and a three for seven total points. Bowman, Bosse and Flowers each contributed a basket.
The Clippers suffered 13 turnovers. McCabe hauled in seven rebounds. Bowman grabbed 11 rebounds. Rutz clutched four rebounds. Bosse snared nine rebounds. Flowers had three rebounds. Ava Kluntz had four rebounds. Kortuem had four rebounds.
The Clippers were a lackluster 11 of 25 from the foul stripe. The Knights plopped in five threes and were 16 of 26 from the free throw line.
The Clippers game on the following Tuesday was postponed. They host Martin County West tonight. The Mavericks opened their season with a 44-33 win over GFW.
Above: Emma Kortuem breaks down court while the rest of the Clippers follow.
Kaitlyn Flowers looks for an open teammate as she runs the ball down court.
Harper Rutz pivots inside.
Taylor McCabe drives to the hoop under pressure.