Ten players put points in the scorebook as the Clipper varsity boys easily rolled over visiting Alden-Conger/Glenville-Emmons 79-40 last Thursday for their first win of the season.
A day later, they picked up their second victory when they beat Medford on the road 88-58.
“Nicollet was a step back from Madelia, but we saw some improvement at Mankato Loyola,” said head coach Mike Meyer.
Before the first clock tick against AC/GE, the Clippers were up 2-0 when Carson Lyons, sent to the line for a Knight dunking-during-warmup technical foul, made both shots.
After, Alex Kortuem drilled a three as did Lyons, Lyons put in a shot from the baseline after a Miles Tomaszewski steal, and Mason Kluntz made a free throw for a 11-0 Clipper lead.
The Knights were missing long shots while Braeden Smith hit a jumper from the paint, Kluntz pulled down an offensive rebound and scored and Tomaszewski nailed a jumper from the lane for a 17-0 orange & black advantage before the Knights finally got on the board at the 12:30 mark.
“It was good to see us come out with energy right away,” Meyer said. “That’s the first part of the battle: getting the team to show up right off the tip.”
The Clippers continued to roll. Smith racked up a dozen more points, half of them from behind the arc, and with a couple of Sam Ternes threes as the half drew to a close, they led 49-16 at the break.
Meyer said the Clippers rehearsed their defense in their one day of practice they had after the close loss at Loyola.
“We worked a lot on our help defense, sliding to help so we don’t get beat on a drive.”
Meyer cleared the bench in the second half, and the Clippers cruised to the triumph.
“It was a really good confidence booster for all of them: to understand they are a good team.”
Lyons led all scorers with 18 points, including a pair of threes. Smith had 16 points and also dropped in two threes. Ternes bagged a hat trick of threes off the bench for nine total points. With three twos and a three, Kortuem also had nine points.
Kluntz had eight points. Tomaszewski had a pair of twos and a three, all in the first half, for seven points. Jack Mons made one basket in the first half and two in the second for six total points. Garrett Heldberg and Luke Heldberg each scored two points as did Killian Kunkel.
The Clippers were six of nine from the foul line. The Knights put in three threes and nine of 18 free throws.
Overall, it was the best effort Meyer has seen out of Kortuem on both halves of the court.
“Hustle play after hustle play. Even when he made a mistake, he was the first guy to get on the next play. It was really good to see him play that well. He’s going to need to continue to play that well.”
In Medford, the Clippers led 50-31 at halftime.
Lyons and Smith each totaled 17 points, including one three. Quickly off the bench, Mons made 10 first-half points and four in the second for 14 total points. Tomaszewski had 11 points, nine of them from three-point country. All of Alex Kortuem’s nine points were launched from beyond the arc.
Ternes looped in a couple second-half threes for six total points. Kluntz added four points. Garrett Heldberg made a pair of second-half baskets for four total points Charlie Perkins plopped in a second-half three. Luke Heldberg scored a basket from the floor in the second half.
The Clippers totaled 11 threes and made five of 12 shots from the free-throw stripe. Medford put in six threes and 18 of 30 foul shots. No Clipper fouled out.
The Clippers went on to fall to Granada-Huntley-East Chain/Truman/Martin Luther (see upcoming story) on Tuesday. Tonight (Friday), they host Le Sueur-Henderson on Friday. With wins over WEM, NRHEG, Central (NYA) and Mayer Lutheran, the Giants are off to a 4-0 start.
In other scores around the Valley, Nicollet edged host Mankato Loyola 65-64 but lost at home to Madelia 88-74.
Above: Miles Tomaszewski approaches the basket after a steal.
Braeden Smith takes the ball into the lane.
Carson Lyons weaves his way down court.
Jack Mons cuts around a Knight defender.
Sam Ternes passes the ball inside.
Mason Kluntz eyes the basket.
Alex Kortuem hustles the ball down court.
The Holiday Band premiered before the game. On the sax is Carter Kern.
The Holiday Band trumpet section was dressed for the show.