Demonstrating that they are to be taken seriously this season, the Clipper varsity girls downed visiting Martin County West 54-43 on Monday in their home opener.
The win avenges a pair of losses to the Mavericks last year, first 61-41 in Cleveland and later 50-31 in Trimont.
“They were tired tonight, but they really powered through,” said head coach Myrriah Rutz.
Freshman Harper Rutz took the jump ball up and in for a three to set the tone, and the Clippers never trailed from there. Rutz’s classmate Brooke Bosse fought hard underneath the rim for a bucket, and Taylor McCabe hit a jumper to put the Clippers up 7-5.
The Mavericks, who were coming off a 44-33 win over host GFW a week earlier, loitered around for a while, tying the game at 11 and 13, but Rutz bagged another three, and Bosse scored inside and then hooked in a bucket for a 20-13 Clipper advantage.
Mollie Bowman got into the action with a basket from under the rim and scored the next basket too on an Ava Kluntz assist, and after a McCabe drive to the iron with an and-one attached, the Clippers were suddenly in front 27-14.
With 14 rebounds to add to her resume, six of them on the Clipper side of the court, it was a solid effort for Bowman, and Rutz was proud of the improvement the senior has made since last season.
“She’s put a lot of work in, and it’s showing. She’s gotten so strong and a lot more physical. She’s smart too and a great leader. She’s got strong hands and is not afraid to put that ball up.”
As for Bowman, although she was battling injuries and illnesses for much of last season, she said her progress has just followed suit with that of the rest of the Clippers.
“I was working out all summer and kind of upped my game. Confidence has skyrocketed for sure, but I think that’s the same with everyone around me. Everyone’s energy is high. We’ve taken this year to a whole new level. In practice, everyone’s giving 100 percent. We’re all working hard.”
The Mavericks responded with a three, but as the half drew to a close, McCabe drilled a basket from behind the arc, Rutz sunk a pair of freebies, and McCabe scored again from inside for a 34-19 Clipper advantage at the intermission.
Left alone under the rim, Bosse took a McCabe toss up and in for the first basket of the second half. With an Emma Kortuem drive through the paint for a bucket and a Bosse basket she launched from the corner, the Clippers led 38-21.
The Mavericks refused to roll over though and scored 20 of the next 30 points to pull within seven with two and a half minutes left, and for a while it looked like the outcome might be a repeat of the meltdown loss the Clippers suffered in Kenyon a week earlier.
But McCabe plunged a three to stick a dagger in the comeback, and Rutz dropped in three of four gratuity shots down the stretch to put the finishing touches on the triumph.
“They had a run, but our girls really stepped up,” Rutz said. “They listened. They played really smart. We talked about time management after that last game. They’re learning to run the clock, how to work as a team and when we do have that lead, it’s ok to work that ball around a little bit.”
The Clippers made seven of nine free throw attempts and four threes. With 16 points, including a pair of threes, McCabe paced the offense. Also in double figures were Bosse with 14 points and Rutz with 13, including a pair of threes. Kortuem had seven points, including one three. Bowman chipped in four points.
The Clippers also did a good job cleaning up on the boards. Led by Bowman, they outrebounded MCW 50-31.
“Rebounds were amazing,” Rutz said.
Bosse seized a dozen rebounds. McCabe hauled in nine rebounds. Kortuem grabbed 11 rebounds, four of them offensive. Rutz grasped two rebounds. Taylor Wolf pulled down three rebounds.
No Clipper got in much foul trouble. McCabe, who suffered through foul trouble in the opener, had two infractions in the first half and one in the second. The Mavericks were five of six from the foul line and put in a pair of threes. The Clippers turned the ball over a dozen times, twice as many as MCW did.
The Clippers are back in action on Thursday when they take on host Mankato Loyola. It’s a bit of a rebuilding year for the Crusaders, who lost their first three games: 80-39 to host Maple River, 60-52 to visiting Alden-Conger/Glenville-Emmons and 68-46 to host GHEC/T/ML.
The Clippers were 5-19 last year but came on strong at the end, defeating WEM by a basket to close their regular season and then winning their first playoff game before they got beat on the road by BOLD. SESM narrowly defeated BOLD in the section championship. The 2025 Clippers graduated three seniors: Addi Holden, Ava Hahn and Lacey McCabe, but the momentum that picked up at the end of last season seems to have carried into this year.
Above: Mollie Bowman tucks a rebound.
Brook Bosse works her way inside.
An MCW defender confronts Harper Rutz.
Emma Kortuem wheels the ball down court.
Valentina Rohlfing crashes in after a missed Clipper shot.