Behind a defense designed to slow down Alden-Conger/Glenville-Emmons’ bigs, the eighth-grade boys handed the visiting Knights their first loss of the season on Monday.
The 46-41 Clipper triumph was a classic battle of speed versus size.
“We got in a meeting last night and (decided to run) a two-three (zone defense), and it worked,” said coach Connor Sanchez. “It kept the big guys out of there.”
Meanwhile, the Clippers’ turned their typical frantic offensive pace up another notch, and that also loomed large in avenging their two earlier losses to the Knights, one in Alden in early December and another in a tournament the host Knights won a couple of Saturdays ago.
“We just tried to run them because they can’t run with our little guys,” said Sanchez
Abel Hastings sprinted in a layup after a steal, and Chase Roemhildt and Griffin Rutz each plopped in jumpers for a quick 6-2 Clipper lead.
The Knights drove for a couple buckets and stole and ran in a layup, but with a Hastings free basket, two free baskets from Rutz, a Hastings jumper and baseline drive for a bucket, the Clippers led 13-9.
Pulling down three offensive rebounds and scoring with an and-one tacked on, the Knights used their stature to narrow their deficit to just one point, but with more baskets by Hastings and Rutz followed by a Charlie Mons three, the Clippers led 21-12.
Before the break, Hastings put in a free throw and assisted a Lincoln Ernsting bucket. With a two-point basket, the Knights closed out the half but trailed 24-17.
The Knights capitalized with a three after the Clippers lost the ball out of bounds for the first bucket of the second half, but Roemhildt scored from under, Hastings sunk a running jump shot, and Rutz grabbed an offensive rebound and put it back up for a basket and a 30-22 Clipper lead.
Later, after baskets by Roemhildt and Hastings, Mons bagged a pair of threes for a 41-27 Clipper advantage. Trying to make up for earlier turnovers, the Knights fought hard down the stretch for 11 points, but Hastings ran in a couple of insurance baskets.
As the game drew to a close, the Knights dumped in a three, but it was too little too late, and the Clippers held on for the victory.
Hastings racked up 17points. Mons added nine points, all from three-point country. Rutz had eight points. Ernsting contributed a bucket from the floor. Roemhildt had six points. Jacob Walser chipped in a free basket.
Hastings hauled in six rebounds and had four assists. Rutz had eight rebounds and two assists. Roemhildt grabbed five rebounds. Carson Jindra had four rebounds and one assist. Mons had one assist. Walser had one rebound and one assist. Ernsting had two rebounds and one assist.
In the earlier game, Jesse Hastings’ seventh-grade team steamrolled the Knights 53-26.
William Zimmerman had a dozen points and 10 rebounds for a double-double. Hastings and Rutz each totaled 10 points. Ernsting had five points. Walser had four points. Bo Kortuem and Miles Reintjes each added a basket.
A day later, the seventh graders lost to host Tri-City United by five points while the eighth graders fell to the Titans by a point. Hastings took a bump to the head in the first game and didn't get on the floor in the second. The Clippers were already missing Walser.
The junior high Clippers return to action today (Thursday) when they travel to Granada. The eighth graders play at 4:30 while the seventh graders tip off at 5:30.
Above: Abel Hastings guides the ball to his other side as the Knights tallest player moves in to cut off Hasting’s drive.
Charlie Mons races down court during the seventh-grade game.
A Knight defender confronts Lincoln Ernsting during the seventh-grade game.
Miles Reintjes makes a move inside during the seventh-grade game.
Gabe Anderson looks for an open teammate as he runs the ball down court during the seventh-grade game.
William Zimmerman extends for a shot as a Knight defender attempts to get a hand on the ball.
Griffin Rutz eyes the basket as the Knights’ big center prepares to make a block.