Dwindling numbers kept the boys C-Squad off the court since late last year, but junior high reinforcements resuscitated the team on Tuesday when Lester Prairie came to town.
Finishing their season on an uptick, the young Clippers led the team to a 37-33 victory.
Seventh grader Carson Lyons recorded the game’s first bucket. Freshman Kale Kelley scored before the Bulldogs got on the board.
From there, Lyons went on the steal, first going all the way for a layup and then relaying the ball to freshman Jorden Rossow, who tossed it back to Lyons for the assist and a 10-2 Clipper advantage.
Eighth grader Caleb Possin (above) scored, and classmate Bode Bartell took a Tanner Simonette toss in for a basket to extend the Clipper lead.
But the Bulldogs went on a nine-point run from there before freshman Kyle Connor interrupted the rally with a free throw. The Bulldogs scored again with five seconds left to close within two points at the break, 15-13.
A Possin free throw was the first basket of the second half. Lyons scored, Possin plopped in a free throw, and Lyons made another bucket to put the Clippers up 21-17.
Gavin Karels drove the baseline for two, and Lyons scored on a layup to add to the Clipper lead. Later, Karels hit a two and a three, but the Bulldogs did the same to pull within one, 30-29 with four minutes remaining.
The Clippers missed free throws after that, but Lyons airmailed a three to augment the Clipper lead. The Bulldogs made a couple of free shots though and followed with a basket from the floor to knot the game at 33 with 1:25 remaining.
Just 15 seconds later, the Clippers got the lead back when Simonette stole on the Bulldog end of the court and was quickly fouled. He went to the line and made both his shots to put the Clippers in front 35-33.
The Bulldogs were off the mark on their possession, and Simonette made the second of two foul shots to give his team a little cushion. With 19 seconds left, the Bulldogs stole the ball but missed a three that would have tied the game.
Possin sunk a free throw with 10 seconds remaining to put the finishing touches on the triumph.
Lyons led the Clippers with 17 points. Karels scored eight points. Possin had five points. Simonette, an eighth grader, had three points. Bartell had two points. Connor chipped in a free throw. Kelley scored three points.
Karels and Lyons each put in a three. The Clippers were eight of 26 from the charity line. The Bulldogs made all four of their free throws and also put in a pair of threes.
Junior high players moved up to C-squad after their season ended a couple of weeks ago were, from L-R, front row: Nathan Seeman, Caleb Connor, Bode Bartell and Mason Kluntz. Back row: their coach Todd Karels, Tanner Simonette, Carson Lyons, Gavin Karels and Caleb Possin.
Tanner Simonette looks for a route inside.
Carson Lyons led the C-Squad with 17 points.
Caleb Connor backs up a defender.
Gavin Karels makes a move toward the hoop.
Tanner Simonette went to the line and made the winning free throws after being pushed around in this scrum.