As one of seven junior high players brought up for the B-squad game against visiting Alden-Conger on Monday, Carson Lyons (above) teamed up his freshman brother Blake for the first time in three years.
"It's nice to always have someone to pass to because you know what he is going to do," said the younger Lyons.
But when the second half came around—and his older sibling had left the court to prepare for the varsity game—the seventh grader came into his own, scoring dozen points to lead the Clippers to a 43-39 triumph.
It was one of just a few wins for the B squad this year.
Blake Lyons scored the game’s first basket and followed up with a free throw. Kyle Connor scored, Blake Lyons added another pair of gratuity shots, and Gabe Sullivan dropped in a jumper from the baseline before the Knights posted their first basket.
Jorden Rossow extended the Clipper lead with a shot from beyond the arc. With the Clippers up 14-5, Ethan Fuller scored after a Clipper steal and followed up with a baseline drive for another basket.
Sullivan assisted on the next two points, the first with a long toss to Kale Kelley and the second when he hooked up with Fuller inside. Kelley drove the lane for the final Clipper basket of the half to put the Clippers up 22-7.
But the Knights quickly got back in business with a trio of threes and two freebies after a three-shot foul to head into the locker room only down by four.
After grabbing eighth grader Caleb Possin’s hand off, Carson Lyons scored the first basket of the second half. Taking a Rossow assist, Lyons scored the second basket as well for a 26-18 Clipper lead. The Knights rebounded and scored, but Lyons stole and drove from shore to shore for another basket.
From there, the Knights plunked in three free shots. Connor drove inside for a basket, but the Knights responded with a three to narrow their deficit to a basket, 30-28.
It was basket trading the rest of the half. On the Clipper end of the court, Connor spun for a bucket, Lyons scored from under the rim, Kelley made an inside bucket, Rossow dropped in a three, and Kelley sunk a jumper.
But the Knights kept pace. With a free shot followed by a basket from the floor after a Clipper turnover, they were within two, 41-39.
With 1:16 left, the Knights had a chance to tie at the free-throw line, but both shots caromed off the hoop. Wasting time, they had to commit three fouls to get the Cleveland to the line, but the Clippers missed and then missed again after a steal.
With 2.6 seconds left, the Knights had another opportunity to tie the game from the gratuity line, but both shots were off target.
Lyons bookended the frame with a pair of free throws to put the finishing touches on the victory.
Kelley had eight points. With the Clippers' only two three point-baskets, Rossow ended the night with six points. Connor also had six points.
In one half played, Fuller had six points, Blake Lyons had five points, and Sullivan had two points.
The Clippers made five of 11 foul shots. Alden-Conger made four threes and were six of 18 in free-throw shooting.
Eighth grader Gavin Karels also saw time on the court.
The Clipper Bs returned to action 24 hours later with a home game vs Lester Prairie (to be covered in a following story).
On B-squad and varsity too, Ethan Fuller has really been stepping up lately on defense and putting in inside baskets .
Gabe Sullivan scopes out the basket.
Kyle Connor breaks to the hoop.
Blake Lyons dribbles around a pair of defenders.
Kale Kelley performs a juggling act on his way in for a layup.