After Emmy Miller dropped in a pair of free shots to put the junior high girls up 23-21 over visiting Mankato Loyola late in the game on Thursday, it looked like the Clippers were trying to give the Crusaders an early Christmas present.
First, they sent the Loyola to the foul line twice. Only one of their four free shots made its way through the net though, but the Crusaders were within a point with 47 seconds remaining.
Next, the Clippers forfeited the ball on an over and back infraction. The Crusaders’ ensuing shot rolled off the rim, but they tied up the ball to keep possession.
Still on the Loyola side of the court, the Clippers knotted up the ball too, but, in the heat of the moment after the in-bound pass, they took a shot at the Crusader basket. Fortunately, the errant shot was off the mark, and the Clippers were able to grab the rebound and head to their side of the court.
On the way, they crossed over the center line and back again, and it looked like the Crusaders might have a chance for a desperation shot, but time ran out just before the infraction, and the Clippers hung on for a 23-22 triumph.
“We’ve got to learn to stay focused in crunch time,” said coach Rennardo Lampley.
Bella Baker plunged a jumper for the game’s first basket. Blair Voit bagged a free shot, and Harley Samuelson scored after a Clipper offensive rebound.
The Crusaders roughed up the Clipper offense with steals, but their shots didn’t fall until eventually they put an offensive rebound back up for a basket and hit a free throw to pull within a basket, 5-3.
Kenzie Kortuem rebounded and scored as did Natalie Flowers. Later, Kortuem put in a free shot, and Voit took an offensive rebound up and in, but after burying a three and looping in a pair of free shots, the Crusaders only trailed by three, 13-10, at the half.
The lead in the second half changed six times. With pair of layups after the break, Loyola had a one-point advantage. Brylee Kortuem scored to put the Clippers in front 15-14. The lead switched again when Crusaders ran in another layup, but Anistyn Dauk parked a jump shot, and Kylee Wobbrock darted in a layup that put the Clippers in front 19-17.
Loyola penetrated the lane twice more to go in front 21-19, but Voit drove in a layup to deadlock the score at 21 before Miller’s pair of baskets from the foul stripe, the second the game winner.
The junior high Clipper girls return to action on Friday when they head west on Highway 99 to Nicollet.
Above: Kenzie Kortuem extends for a shot.
Fighting off a Loyola defender, Natalie Flowers makes her way to the bucket.
Kylie Wobbrock battles for possession under the Clipper hoop before bouncing a pass
Bella Baker coils for a shot