Visiting Nicollet wasn’t much of a challenge for the seventh-grade boys on Tuesday when they cruised to an easy 38-20 victory.
It was just the third win for the Clippers, but all their other losses were within a basket or two with the exception of one game that they lost by 10 points, said coach Nancy Heldberg.
“We have been playing well and are implementing a new offense, and it seems to click,” she said. “They are starting to realize how well they can play.”
Garrett Heldberg (above), who led all players with 20 points, made the back end of a pair of foul shots for the first point on the scoreboard. From there, he took turns scoring with Miles Tomaszewski.
Tomaszewski pulled down a couple offensive rebounds and put in a shot for a 3-0 Clipper advantage. Heldberg rebounded and scored, and Tomaszewski took a Luke Heldberg toss in for a layup. After Nicollet put in a basket, Tomaszewski assisted Garrett Heldberg with a bucket from under the rim.
The Raiders scored once more, but Tomaszewski drove through the paint for a basket, and Wyatt Krenik stole and assisted Garett Heldberg. With Heldberg’s and-one shot, the Clippers led 12-4 before Nicollet scored again.
Taking a Luke Heldberg pass in for a layup, Jack Anderson got in the mix. Tomaszewski stole and assisted Garret Heldberg on a long, quick outlet pass. Nicollet managed another basket, but Carsyn Ryg carried a Harry Fuller throw through the lane for a basket, and Krenik scored from the paint on an Anderson assist.
Nicollet put in a three down the stretch but still trailed 21-11 at halftime.
On a scoring frenzy, Garrett Heldberg posted the first nine points of the second half before brother Luke buried a jumper that put the Clippers comfortably ahead 32-11.
From there, Ryg dropped in a pair of free shots, Tomaszewski took a Luke Heldberg throw in for a layup, and Garrett Heldberg rebounded and scored.
Nicollet finally got a basket in the second half with 2:44 remaining and scored the final eight points.
Tomaszewski added eight points. Ryg contributed four points. Anderson, Krenik and Luke Heldberg each chipped in a basket.
The seventh graders return to action on Friday when they take on host Granada-Huntley-East Chain/Truman.
Miles Tomaszewski extends for a shot.
Wyatt Krenik drives toward the net.
Jack Anderson swings through the paint.
Carsyn Ryg makes his way around a defender.
Harry Fuller goes up for a shot.