With Madelia returning three of its starters from last years’ Valley Conference champion and section runner up team, including its top scorer, it was baptism by fire for the Clippers on Tuesday when they took on the host Blackhawks in both team’s season opener.
While the Blackhawks, who last year beat the Clippers 105-54 in Cleveland and 88-73 at home, rolled over their scoreboard with a 102-70 triumph, the Clippers, who trailed 58-34 at the break, came on strong in the second half.
“Game one tonight was all about confidence,” said head coach Mike Meyer. “We had a lot of guys who have not been in that position before and a lot of guys who have not been on a varsity floor right away. That showed right away. They took some pressure and didn’t handle it well in the first half, but I saw a lot of them get better in the second half.”
The Clippers hung around for the first few minutes. Madelia turned on the scoreboard on a steal and ensuing basket. After Carson Lyons responded with a three, Madelia put in a pair of foul shots. Braeden Smith scored, Madelia hit a layup, and Mason Kluntz hit two foul shots to deadlock the game 7-7.
But keeping up a frantic pace, the Blackhawks scored the next 13 points and never looked back. Kluntz scored on a layup to stop the rally, and soon after, Lyons bagged another three and Smith ran in a layup, but Madelia led 30-14 before Gavin Karels pulled down an offensive rebound and put it back up for a bucket.
With three fouls, Smith took a breather, but the Clippers kept pace, with a Lyons layup, a three from Garrett Heldberg, a couple of inside baskets from Kluntz, two free shots from Miles Tomaszewski and seven points from Karels, including a three to close out the half.
“It would be nice to start out with an easier team and get a win, but their were moments in this came we showed we were just as good as they were,” Meyer said. “But I think it was obvious Madelia was the most prepared team. They came out immediately and were confident.”
Back on the court, Smith sunk a turnaround jumper to start the second half, later, freshman Jack Mons took a Tomaszewski handoff in for the first of four buckets he had in the half.
“I saw some great things tonight, as much as I hate losing 102-70,” Meyer said. “I saw some really good things. The young guys who stepped up….Jack Mons got thrown into the game and played with complete confidence and made some smart plays and high effort plays. I think he just made a huge stride and the future he has for us.”
Senior Killian Kunkel took an inbounds pass up and in for the game’s final basket.
The Clippers had a balanced offense. With 13 points, including a pair of threes and a free basket, Lyons led the effort. Kluntz added a dozen points and was two for two from the foul line. Tomaszewski added 11 points, including a three and a pair of freebies. The sophomore scored nine points in the second half. Smith totaled nine points: four baskets from the floor and a free throw. Off the bench, Karels also put up nine points, including one three. With four baskets in the second half, Mons contributed eight points. Also off the bench, Heldberg dropped in a three in the first half and a basket and a free throw in the second for six total points. Kunkel chipped in a bucket.
“I thought the core guys for us played with confidence and effort, and I think the rest will come with time. As we go along in the season, they’re going to get more and more confident.”
The Clippers made seven of 10 foul shots. Madelia put in 11 threes, six more than the Clippers and were 11 of 21 from the foul line. Their top scorer, had 40 points.
“Kayden (Firchau) played really well,” Meyer said. “We probably could have hounded him a little more, but we wanted to see what our defense could do. This is a growing season for us. I think the next time we play these guys, it will be a completely different game.”
Highway 99 rival Nicollet comes to town tonight (Friday) for the Clippers’ home opener. The Raiders are coming off an 83-50 season-opening win over visiting Alden-Conger/Glenville Emmons.
Above: Mason Kluntz kept control on this play and went up for a layup.
Carson Lyons runs the ball to the hoop.
Braeden Smith makes his way toward the basket.
Garrett Heldberg runs around a Madelia defender.
Jack Mons goes up for a basket. He posted eight points in the second half.