A positive for Clipper varsity basketball during a 60-54 loss to conference rival Alden-Conger on Monday, Parents' Night, was Jackson Meyer got on the floor for the first four minutes.
It was a soft start for the senior, who—recovering from an injured knee he sustained in the Clippers’ second football game last fall—kept a low profile, launching a few three pointers before returning to the sidelines.
None of his shots went through the net, but he was glad to be playing again after knee surgery last November.
“They were all a tad bit short,” said Meyer, who managed to get in a few practices before the game. “I’m still on the watch yet, not quite cleared, but I got some time to make memories. All of the guys have been super supportive, and I appreciate them giving me a chance, giving me an opportunity before the season ends.”
Alden-Conger, whose only two wins in the conference were against Cleveland, rebounded and scored for the game’s first basket. Carter Dylla looped in a three from the corner, but the Knights scored the next 11 points before Lucas Walechka hit a pair of free throws.
But the Clippers gained ground when Colin Krenik followed with a three from the edge, Kolby Gens scored on a layup, and Braeden Hastings bowed in a three that positioned the Clippers within a basket, 15-13.
After a free throw, Alden-Conger took advantage of a steal for a basket and an and-one, but Colin popped in another basket from three-point land, and Dylla stole and drove the floor for a layup that narrowed the Clipper deficit to a point, 19-18 with 7:20 left in the half.
Hastings made another three, Walechka hit a free shot, and Blake Lyons scored and made the ensuing foul shot, but the Knights extended their lead after that, and after Walechka rebounded and scored for the final points of the half, the Clippers trailed 36-27 at the intermission.
Rebounding and fouls led to the disparity, said head coach Mike Meyer.
“If we could get that first half back, it would make a huge difference. We let them get in position on rebounds and got in foul trouble. They’re driving the lane, and our guys weren’t getting into position, so they’re picking up little, ticky fouls. If Blake and Lucas could have played more in the first half that would have made a difference. We did better in the second half, but they still let some guys get in front of them.”
Walechka picked up his fourth foul just 57 seconds into the second half. Up 38-30, the Knights went on an 8-point run that Krenik finally stopped with a three.
“Colin did a good job tonight,” Meyer said.
An Alden-Conger player fouled out with 8:20 left, and that helped the Clipper cause but not enough. Assisted by Walechka, Gens made an uncontested basket from under the rim, while Dylla and Hastings made baskets down the stretch as did Lyons before he fouled out, but it wasn’t enough.
“We got them in foul trouble right away,” coach Meyer said. “We had guys cutting hard to the basket, but we’ve just got to finish, to make our shots.”
Dylla led the Clippers with a dozen points, including one three-point basket. Hastings racked up 10 points including a pair of threes. Walechka had nine points. Krenik also scored nine points, all from behind the arc. Lyons added eight points, and Gens had six points.
Walechka hauled in a dozen rebounds. Dylla grabbed nine rebounds and had six steals and three assists. Gens had eight rebounds and two blocks. The Clippers had 13 turnovers.
The Clippers were 14 of 25 from the free-throw line. The Knights made two three-point baskets and were 14 of 27 in free-throw shooting.
With two losses, Martin County West won the Valley. LCWM was second. St. Clair and Loyola each had four losses.
The Clippers, winless in the conference, were back in action on Tuesday when they closed out their regular season versus visiting Lester Prairie (see upcoming article).
Kolby Gens goes up for a shot.
Lucas Walechka coils for a contested shot.
Carter Dylla dribbles around defenders.
In a free-throw shooting marathon on Saturday, the Clippers raised over $8300 to help the fight against cancer. Colin Krenik (left) made the most free throws: 78/100. Kale Kelley (right) raised the most money: over $4000.
The Clippers awarded Kevin Mueller and his family with Timberwolves tickets. Mueller, father of former Clipper standouts Isaac Mueller (CHS 2021) and Luke Mueller (CHS 2020), is being treated for prostate cancer. “I know what Kevin is going through,” said Mike Meyer, who himself is a cancer survivor. “I know him personally, so when I brought it up to the team, everyone agreed. Kevin has been such a huge part of the basketball community and his family loves basketball.”
Parents were recognized before the game.
The pep band was on hand.
With black the dominating color, the student section matched the home uniforms.