Eight JV Clippers had numbers in the points column in a 53-44 triumph over visiting Madelia on Monday.
While the middle team has been on and off this season, the victory tilted their record to a winning one, 5-4.
After Madelia scored from near the rim, Mason Kluntz captured an offensive rebound and put it in for the Clippers’ first bucket.
The Blackhawks pocketed a Clipper pass and took it inside for a bucket, but Sam Ternes stole and assisted a Gavin Karels three. After another Karels three, this one on a Tanner Simonette pass, and a Ternes bucket, the Clippers were in front 10-4.
From there, Alex Kortuem put in the first of a hat trick of threes he would have in the half. Ternes followed up with another running jump bucket, and the Clippers led 15-6.
In a team effort, Charlie Perkins scored from the paint, Kluntz rebounded and scored, Ternes and Karels each scored again, and with two Kortuem threes down the stretch, the Clippers headed to their locker room with a 30-19 lead.
Kortuem exited the game at the break as did Madelia’s big, but Carsyn Ryg went to work for three baskets from the floor and a three pointer. Tanner Simonette added three buckets and a freebie, and the Clippers cruised to the triumph.
Karels, who had a nice game defensively as well, led the Clipper offense with 11 points. Kortuem had nine points, all from three-point turf. Ryg also supplied nine points. Ternes provided eight points. Simonette delivered seven points, Kluntz added five points, and Perkins and Miles Tomaszewski each chipped in two points.
The Clippers sunk seven threes and three of six foul shots. The Blackhawks made four threes and four of nine freebies.
Continuing to up their game, the Clippers went on to beat Nicollet on Thursday for the second time this season (see upcoming story).
Above: Gavin Karels fights his way to the bucket.
