It’s been a decade and a half since the Clipper girls have had a C-Squad, so when St. Clair came to town on Thursday, it was baptism by fire for the newly-formed team in a 43-13 loss.
But the score of the first game was far less important than widening the foundation of the girls basketball program, said Chris Seely, who coached the young Clippers in their first game.
“It’s great for the program when we can have three teams, and I hope we can keep improving on our skills.”
St. Clair racked up the first 20 points before Valentina Rohlfing took an in-bounds pass up for a bucket to break up the run with 5 minutes before halftime. Later in the frame, Ava Kluntz scored from the baseline, but the Cyclones lead 29-4 at the break.
In the second half, Jocelyn Kortuem bagged the second of two foul shots. Taylor Wolf looped in a basket from behind the arc, and Rohlfing scored after catching another in-bounds pass, but the Cyclones were still in front 37-10.
Later, Wolf made a foul shot, and Kluntz rebounded and scored the game’s final basket.
Also on the team were Cecelia Gair, Kaitlyn Flowers and Kia Sohn. Before Tuesday, the C-Squad girls got time in on the B-Squad team and varsity once in a while.
While many of the Clippers’ opponents, don’t have C-Squads, the Clippers return to action already tonight when they travel to Granada to take on Granada-Huntley-East Chain/Truman/Martin Luther.
“Hopefully, we can continue to get games in,” Seely said.
Above: Ava Kluntz drives through the hoop.
Valentina Rohlfing dribbles into the lane.
Kia Sohn brings the ball down court.
to: Celia Gair takes the ball around a defender.