Five courts, 26 teams, some 200 elementary boys and girls basketball players…
For fourth through sixth graders, the first of two Cleveland elementary basketball tournaments took place last Saturday in the three Clipper gyms and the Township Hall as well.
The Clippers fielded three boys teams and two girls teams. Collectively, they were 8-2.
Starting their day in the big gym, the sixth-grade boys beat Madelia 39-19. Back on the same court with no break, they topped Fairmont 26-17 to extend their record to 7-0. With 14 players, they are coached by Travis Mons, Jesse Hastings and Corey Christensen.
Coached by Todd Karels and Sean McLister, the dozen members of the fifth-grade boys team started their day in the old gym when they beat GHEC/T in overtime. Against Madelia in the new gym, the Clippers won 22-11.
In the little gym, the fourth-grade boys lost to Fairmont Maroon but came back to beat Fairmont White 23-7. With 13 players, they are coached by Andy Schmidt, Anne Miller and Scott Rutz.
Fairmont outsized the sixth-grade Clipper girls for a 29-11 victory in the old gym. But the Clippers stepped directly to the new gym and beat Madelia 29-3. With eight on the team, the Clippers are coached by Scott Miller and Steve Baker.
Coached by Dustin Hoffmann and Nate Page, the seven fifth-grade girls—with one fourth grader: Ambriela Linsmeier also on the team—toppled Madelia 40-2 and then St. James 32-4. Both games were in the new gym.
Above: Reid Johnson dashes in for a layup during the fifth-grade boys’ win over Madelia.
Sixth grader Zack Miller looks for an opening during the Madelia game.
Sixth grader Bo Kortuem drives toward the hoop as a pair of Madelia defenders close in.
Sixth grader Brock Pugh dishes off during the Madelia game.
Sixth grader José Castro Arntson coils for a shot during the Madelia game.
Sixth grader Griffin Rutz dribbles between a pair of Madelia defenders.
Sixth grader Abel Hastings launches for a shot as a Madelia defender gets an arm inside.
Sixth grader Gabe Anderson breaks through a pair of Madelia defenders to launch a shot.
Sixth grader Dennis Ginter Ernsting dribbles in front of a Madelia defender.
Sixth grader Charlie Mons dribbles around a Fairmont defender.
Sixth grader Sawyer Roemhildt takes the ball down court during the Fairmont game. At his side is Lincoln Ernsting.
Sawyer Roemhildt leaps for a shot.
Fifth grader Nolan McLister takes the ball down court during the Madelia game. Behind him is Kyle Rain.
Fifth grader Kyle Rain cruises inside for a shot.
Fifth grader Talan Samuelson breaks free during the game against the Blackhawks.
Fifth grader Keegan Karels launches a shot while teammate Paxton Kluntz looks on.
Fifth grader Nolan McLister takes the ball into the circle as a Madelia defender closes in.
Talan Samuelson leaps for a shot as Paxton Kluntz screens a defender.
Fourth grader Max Miller on the breakaway during the game against Fairmont White.
Fourth grader Brodey Rutz eyes the hoop.
Fourth grader Cecil Ernsting dribbles into the lane as a Fairmont defender reaches in.
Fourth grader Hunter Olson takes the ball into shooting territory.
Fourth grader Barrett Vogel releases a shot.
Fourth grader Oliver Whaley breaks away for a layup.
Fourth grader Clay Davis sets up to release an outside shot.
Sixth grader Emmy Miller takes the ball down court with a Fairmont defender keeping her in check.
Sixth grader Ellie Williams winds up for a Fairmont contested shot.
Sixth grader Blair Voit pulls up for a shot during the game against Fairmont.
Sixth grader Bella Baker coils for a shot during the game against Fairmont.
Sixth grader MacKenzie Bore runs into a Fairmont big.
Sixth grader Annalise Rysdam dribbles into the paint as Fairmont defenders step in.
Sixth grader Brienna Groebner looks at a shot during the game against Madelia.
Sixth grader Brylee Kortuem sets up for a shot during the game against Madelia.
Chased by a St. James defender, fifth grader Arbor Linder guides the ball down court.
Fourth grader Ambriela Linsmeier is playing with the fifth-grade team.
Fifth grader Jayda Roemhildt winds up for a shot during the game against Madelia.
Fifth grader Addyson Hoffmann sprints to the basket as a Madelia defender tries to get out front.
Fifth grader Kenzie Sandhurst fights for possession with a Madelia defender.
Fifth grader Breanna Bosse gets control of the ball as a Madelia defender slides over to defend her. On the left is Ruby Page.
Heavily guarded by Madelia defenders, fifth grader Lexi Wobbrock bounce passes to a teammate.
