Ending 2023 on a high note, the C-squad boys downed visiting New Ulm Cathedral 45-36 on December 19.
Of the five Clipper teams that took on the Greyhounds that day, it was the only one to come out with a triumph.
The Greyhounds were in front 6-0 before Braeden Smith got the Clippers on the board. With a pair of Tanner Simonette buckets and a three off the hands of Alex Kortuem, they took a 9-6 lead and never trailed from there.
Smith and Simonette each scored twice more, and Sam Ternes (above) added a bucket, and with a Smith basket and foul shot, the Clippers led 22-14 at the break.
The Clippers kept the throttle turned up in the second half. Smith put in five more buckets, and Simonette, Nathan Seeman and Auston Pierce each sunk a three.
Late in the game, Cathedral roughed up younger Clippers with three steals that resulted in seven points, but the starters went back in to seal the triumph.
With 21 points Smith paced the Clippers. Also in double figures, Simonette scored 14 points. Seeman, Kortuem and Pierce each put in a three. Ternes chipped in a basket.
Smith shot all the foul shots for the Clippers and was three for eight. Cathedral made three three-point baskets and two of 11 foul shots.
The C boys return to action on January 2 when they host Lester Prairie at 4:45 p.m.
Braeden Smith reaches for a shot.