With first-year head girls basketball coach Myrriah Rutz squaring off against her brother’s Granada-Huntley-East Chain/Truman/Martin Luther team, Tuesday’s Clippers vs the visiting Jaguars was a sibling rivalry.
But for the second time this season, Rutz’s big brother prevailed as the Jaguars won 67-43 to remain unbeaten in the Valley Conference.
“He’s competitive, and ultimately, he’s put together a really strong program,” Rutz said. “They hustle, they practice, and they get after it. I told the girls that’s where we need to be.”
After early baskets by Kaitlyn Flowers and Harper Rutz along with a Taylor McCabe free basket, the Jaguars, taking advantage of a pair of steals, went ahead 10-5.
The Clippers had trouble finding the target. Rutz scored twice more from the floor in the half, McCabe buried a three, and Emma Kortuem put up an offensive rebound for a basket, but the Jaguars, using their motion offense to work the ball inside, led 32-19 at the break.
“We had a cap on the basket,” Rutz said. “We got a lot of great looks. They just weren’t falling, and then we weren’t doing a very good job of following the shot. We talked about who wanted the ball more. Tonight, Granada wanted it. It was their second effort. They rebounded well, and we just gave up some points. Two things with that: you need to box out, and you need to go for the ball.”
Kortuem made four two-point baskets in three free shots in the second half, and McCabe, Brooke Bosse and Taylor Wolf each added a basket, but the Jaguars, who rely on strength and quickness instead of height, kept the pressure on and outscored the Clippers 35-24 to cruise to the victory.
McCabe totaled 14 points, including seven foul baskets and the Clippers’ only three. Kortuem totaled 13 points. Rutz added nine points. Bosse, Wolf and Flowers all scored two points. Mollie Bowman put in a free throw.
The Clippers made 14 of 31 free throws. The Jags, who had beaten the visiting Clippers 76 on December 16, sank three baskets from behind the arc and 12 of 27 free throws.
The Clippers suffered 16 turnovers and stole 14 times.
Friday’s game vs host Martin County West was postponed. The Clippers are scheduled to return to action on Monday when they host Mankato Loyola. The Clippers topped the Crusaders 44-38 earlier in the season.
Above: Kaitlyn Flowers takes a look at the net under pressure.
Harper Rutz slides around a Jag defender.
Mollie Bowman runs in a shot.
Emma Kortuem sprints to the hoop.
Myrriah Rutz with her daughter Harper Rutz and her brother TJ Pytleski