Led by 6-10 Hunter Vinkemeier, the Le Sueur-Henderson varsity boys aren’t nicknamed the Giants for nothing, so slowing down the junior, who averages 34.5 points per game, was a goal for the Clippers when their neighbor to the north came to town on Friday.
That, and playing to their potential, unlike their game in Granada three days prior, where the Clippers were up by a dozen points at the half but were outscored two-to one after the break and ended up falling 58-49.
So, while the Clippers didn’t accomplish the first goal as Vinkemeier dumped in 11 two-point baskets and four threes for 34 points, they hung around for much of the game before falling 77-60.
“We know what we are capable of. We showed it in the first half,” said head coach Mike Meyer. “But I think there is still doubt in their minds. Yeah, we say it. Yeah, they see it, but when something starts not going our way, it’s hard to get back to that mindset.
The Giants followed a three with a two to quickly lead 5-0. Carson Lyons hit a three, and Alex Kortuem plopped in two threes though to keep the Clippers within a basket, 11-9.
Braeden Smith got into the action with a jumper, Jack Mons also bagged a three, and Mason Kluntz pulled down an offensive rebound and put it back up for a basket, but the Giants responded with a pair of threes to lead 25-16.
Later, Kortuem sunk another three and then made two of three foul shots to put the Clippers in front 31-30 with 2:30 left before the intermission, but the Giants hauled in an offensive rebound and put it back up for a bucket before burying a three just in front of the buzzer to lead 35-31 at the half.
But with a trio of threes in their onslaught, the Giants scored 13 of the first 14 points of the second half, never looked back and, continuing to hit baskets from outside the arc, cruised to the win.
“We knew we were opening ourselves up to that kind of offense, especially always having to have eyes Vinkemeier,” Meyer said. “He’s a great player, but he’s going to get double his average if you don’t keep eyes on him. That opens up shots from the outside, and they made them. Once that run was over, I think we got right back to playing with them, but we never seemed to get back to our first-half energy.”
With seven points off the hands of Smith, 10 points from Lyons, two more Mons baskets and a Miles Tomaszewski three in the mix, the Clippers scored 29 points in the second half, but the Giants bagged seven threes, three of them by Vinkemeier, en route to a 42-point half to seal their fifth-straight victory.
The Giants made 48 percent of their field goals compared to 29 percent by the Clippers. With 19 points, including one three-point bucket, Lyons was the top Clipper scorer. Kortuem had 14 points, nine of them from three-point land. Smith added 11 points. Mons put it two twos and a three for seven total points. Kluntz contributed five points. Mons had three points, and Garrett Heldberg chipped in a bucket.
The Clippers did a good job controlling the ball. They suffered only a dozen turnovers, half as many as LSH, and had 11 steals, five more than the Giants.
Lyons had seven rebounds, two assists and two steals. Kortuem had two rebounds, two assists and three steals. Smith had eight rebounds, two assists, two seals and a block. Kluntz had four rebounds, one assist, one steal and one block. Tomaszewski had three rebounds, two steals and one block. Gavin Struck had two rebounds. Sam Ternes had one defensive rebound and one assist.
In Granada on December 16, the Clippers were leading 28-16 at the half, but the Jaguars scored two points each of the Clipper 21 points for the comeback triumph.
With 17 points, Lyons led the effort. Smith had 10 points. Kortuem added eight points. Off the bench, Mons scored six points. Tomaszewski and Kluntz each had three points. Heldberg added a basket off the bench.
Lyons, Kortuem, Smith and Tomaszewski each made one three.
Lyons pulled down nine rebounds, made three assists and came up with three steals. Kortuem had three rebounds and one assist. Smith had 13 rebounds, two assists, five steals and one block. Heldberg had four rebounds and one block. Mons had three rebounds. Kluntz had seven rebounds, one assist and for steals. Tomaszewski had three rebounds two assists, and one block.
The Jaguars put in eight of 27 three pointers while the Clippers made four of 23 shots from behind the arc. The Clippers were nine of 21 from the foul line while the jags were 12 of 19. Both teams made a dozen steals. The Clippers turned ball over 18 times, four fewer than the Jags.
The Clippers host 2-6 Kenyon-Wanamingo tonight (Friday).
Above: LSH big Hunter Vinkemeier towers over Mason Kluntz.
Carson Lyons goes up for a shot.
Braeden Smith coils for a shot. (photo by Chase Roemhildt)
Under the camouflage paint is Natalie Flowers.