Lester Prairie came to town on Tuesday with a 5-6 record, but all its losses were up a notch to 2A schools.
So, although they fell to the Bulldogs 68-63, it was a solid effort by the varsity Clippers, in the game to the end.
“We played extremely physically,” said assistant coach Carter Kopet. “We didn’t match up with them extremely well. They’re a big team, but our kids were just gritty. That’s what we were stressing: getting loose balls around the floor, tipping rebounds out. Everyone from our smallest guard to our biggest big just took a physical challenge. Obviously, we’re disappointed with the loss, but we’re close. We’re right were we want to be.”
A Blake Lyons three got the Clippers on the scoreboard. He scored the next four points before Brennan Kortuem added a bucket and Carson Lyons hit a three. Later, Blake Lyons bagged another three en route to 16 points in the half, but the Clippers trailed 35-31 at the pause.
Midway through the second half, Carter Barto scored to pull the Clippers within four, 53-49. After, the Bulldogs got flagged for a charge, but the Clippers couldn’t cash in. Instead, the Bulldogs responded with a three.
Kortuem rebounded and scored, but the Bulldogs followed a pair of freebies with a two to go in front 60-51.
But the Clippers kept battling. Carson Lyons scored on a jumper from the corner and then assisted Kyle Connor for two more Clipper points to trim their deficit to five, but again the Bulldogs replied with a three.
Carson Lyons spun inside for another bucket, and Kortuem iced a pair of gratuity shots, but the Dogs were still in front by four and then made a pair of foul shots to extend their lead with less than a minute left.
Bode Bartell hauled in an offensive rebound and put it back up for a bucket, but time ran out on the Clippers, and Lester Prairie put in three of four free shots to hang on for a win.
It was Blake Lyons’ turn to lead the Clippers. He had 21 points with nine of them coming from three-point property.
Kortuem totaled 19 points and also had a hat trick of threes. Carson Lyons had a pair of threes and a pair of twos for 10 total points. Barto battled Bulldog bigs but still managed seven points. Connor had a basket in each half for four points. Bartell made a second-half basket for two points.
The Clippers totaled eight threes and made seven of 15 free throw tries. The Bulldogs put in six threes and were 10 of 14 from the foul line.
The Clippers didn’t have any games over the holiday vacation, but they didn’t waste it. Instead, they had a whole week of practice, Kopet said.
“We got back to fundamentals, got back to what we do. It’s good to see that pay off. You never know how you are going to come out of a break…if you are going to play sluggish or play well. This game gives us a lot to build from, a lot of confidence.”
The varsity boys travel to Randolph today for a 5:45 game.
Lester Prairie will join the Valley Conference next year, said AD Rich Kern.
Above: Blake Lyons dishes off to Brennan Kortuem (photo courtesy of Patty Sullivan).
Carter Kopet goes over some Xs and Os with the varsity during the C-squad game.
Brennan Kortuem drives through defenders for a shot.
Carson Lyons takes the ball into the lane.
Jorden Rossow eyes the basket.
Kyle Connor stretches for a shot.