Living up to their nickname, the Le Sueur-Henderson Giants came to town and beat the eighth-grade boys 36-20 on Monday.
The Clippers struggled in the first half but upped their game after the break to pull within eight.
“They were the tallest, fastest team we played this year, and once we figure it out, we hung with them,” said coach Nancy Heldberg.
Playing long with a pair of bigs, the Giants rolled for the first 14 points. Braeden Smith hit the first of two foul shots to break up the run.
Smith took an inbound pass in for a bucket, and Sam Ternes (on the drive above) made a free throw for a five-point Clipper spurt.
Later, Smith and Garett Heldberg each put in a free shot, and Heldberg stole and drove from coast-to coast for a layup, but the Clippers still trailed by 9, 18-9. After a Smith Jumper, the Giants led 20-11 at the break.
Ternes made a free shot, and Charlie Perkins scored. After the Giants put in a basket, the Clippers were within striking distance, 26-18 after an inside Heldberg basket, a pair of Smith free shots, and a Heldberg free shot.
But that was as close as the Clippers could get. Besides a Perkins basket, it was the Giants all the rest of the way.
“We’re not that big,” Heldberg said. “They were a lot stronger and bigger, and I thought it was a good game.”
Smith led the effort with 10 points. Perkins and Heldberg each added four points. Ternes chipped in a pair of free shots.
The eighth graders road trip to Alden on Thursday.
Zayden Linder eyes the hoop.
Braeden Smith moves to the iron.