With Jackson Meyer hurt in the first minute against visiting Mankato Loyola on Monday, the Clipper B boys missed their catalyst and fell 49-35.
The Crusaders scored the game’s first basket after a steal. On the breakaway right after, Meyer went up for a layup (above) and crashed into the padding behind the backboard. He eventually left the floor under his own power but did not return.
From there, the Crusaders scored the next eight points before Colin Krenik arced in a three.
Clipper points were few and far between after. Lucas Walechka managed a basket inside, but the Crusaders were up 18-5 when Walechka scored again, this time on the second of two foul shots.
The Crusaders went on the steal after that for another 17 points before the break with nine of them coming from behind the arc. With two Kolby Gens free shots and a Walechka basket, the Clippers trailed 35-10 going into the second period.
With seven points from both Gens and Carter Barto, the Clippers outscored the Crusaders’ 25-14 in the second half but didn’t really get back in the game.
With 10 points, Walechka was the only Clipper in double digits. Gens scored nine points, and Barto and Krenik each contributed seven points. Braeden Hastings had one basket for two points.
Meyer expects to be back on the floor when the B boys travel to St. Clair on Friday.
Opposed by a Loyola defender, Colin Krenik takes aim.
Kolby Gens goes up for a contested shot.
Lucas Walechka dribbles underneath the basket.