Nicollet came to town and roughed up the Clipper varsity boys 81-56 in their home opener on Friday.
On their side of the court, the Clippers shooting was in the doldrums while on the other side, the Raiders found open spots under their basket.
“It was forced shots; shots we didn’t need to take,” said head coach Mike Meyer. “We didn’t have a lot of patience. We really didn’t get into our offense but just settled for quick hitters and outside shots. Defensively, we had good spurts but still had guys getting lost in our man-to-man especially.”
After Miles Tomaszewski drove the paint and put up the game’s first basket, the Raiders responded with the first of 10 threes they would have and then wrestled the ball away from the Clippers and scored from inside.
Braeden Smith put in a free throw and Tomaszewski plunged in a basket behind the arc for a brief Clipper one-point lead. Nicollet drove the baseline for a bucket, and Smith pulled down a defensive rebound and took it down the floor for a layup and an 8-7 Clipper lead.
But the Raiders went on a 15-point rampage from there and never looked back.
Later in the half, Alex Kortuem put in a two-point and then a three-point bucket that pulled the Clippers within eight, 31-23. Carson Lyons made three baskets from the floor, Tomaszewski bagged another three, and the Clippers were within striking distance, 40-30.
But taking advantage of a two-shot foul with a Clipper technical foul tacked on, the Raiders made four-straight free baskets, kept possession, and dropped in a three for a seven-point play and a 47-30 lead at the break.
Finding open slots inside the Raiders’ Carson Kettner, en route to 31 points, scored the first two baskets of the second half. Continuing to score inside and with four threes in the their mix, the Raiders cruised to the victory.
With six two-point baskets and three free baskets, Lyons led the Clipper effort with 15 points. Tomaszewski put in three twos and two threes for a dozen points. Also in double figures was Smith with 11 points. Kortuem ended the night with five points. Garrett Heldberg had two second-half baskets off the bench for four total points. Mason Kluntz added a free basket.
The Clippers made three threes and 11 of 15 fouls shots. The Raiders were seven of 16 from the free throw stripe.
“We’ll continue to grow and get better each day,” Meyer said.
The Clippers travel to Mankato Loyola tonight (Monday). In the Valley Conference, the 2-1 overall Crusaders beat visiting Martin County West 83-47 and lost to host Madelia by just a basket, 77-75.
Above: A Nicollet defender confronts Carson Lyons as he extends for a shot.
Braden Smith stretches for a reverse layup.