After a lopsided 105-54 home loss to undefeated Madelia, the varsity Clipper boys went on the road and downed Nicollet for the second time this season.
The Raiders kept up early. A Brennan Kortuem three was the game’s first basket. Carson Lyons added a three, all alone down court, Bode Bartell made an easy layup, and after a pair of Lyons free baskets, Kyle Connor plopped in a jump shot that put the Clippers in front 12-10.
After the Raiders deadlocked the game 12-12, Lyons followed up a layup with a three, and Bartell made another uncontested layup for a 19-12 Clipper advantage.
The Raiders posted the next five points, but starting with a Kale Kelley three and an Alex Kortuem three and featuring a couple of Brennan Kortuem baseline baskets and a three, the Clippers, blocking Raider shots, scored 17 of the next 18 points.
With a Kelley layup, Cleveland doubled up on the Raiders, 38-19, at the intermission.
With 10 of the first 12 points, the Raiders came out hot after the break while the Clippers were off target. The Raiders also scored eight of the last 10 points, but Lyons and Brennan Kortuem each had 11 points in the half, and the Clippers hung on for the 76-63 win.
With 23 points, including a pair of threes in the first half, Brennan Kortuem paced the Clippers. Lyons had 21 points, nine of them from three-point range. Kelley dropped in a three in both halves and three baskets from the floor for a dozen points.
Kelley made his first varsity three-point basket back on January 30, 2024. This year he has seven so far. While he doesn’t have the kind of numbers Brennan Kortuem has, his hard work in the off season is paying dividends.
“I played with my buddies and shot a lot to become the best three-point shooter and shooter overall that I can be,” said the 5-10 senior forward. “Getting my form right and taking my time is key for me.”
Bartell ended the night with 10 points. Alex Kortuem had a pair of threes and eight total points off the bench. Connor chipped in a basket.
The Clippers totaled nine threes and made five of five free throw attempts. The Raiders had six threes and made seven of 17 free throws.
Madelia 105, Cleveland 54
Raining down 10 threes, Blackhawks led 64-26 at the half.
With 19 points, Brennan Kortuem led the Clipper effort. Lyons totaled 13 points. Kelley had seven points, Alex Kortuem had five points, Bartell and Alex Johnson each had four points, and Tanner Simonette made a two-point basket.
Brennan Kortuem had two threes while Bartell and Alex Kortuem each had one three. The Clippers were eight of 15 from the foul line. With a 50 percent success rate, the Blackhawks ended the night with 45 points from behind the arc. They made eight of 13 free shots.
Madelia had nine turnovers compared to the Clippers’ 11. They had 10 steals and grabbed 54 rebounds. The Clippers made seven steals and pulled down 22 rebounds.
Lyons had one rebound, two assists and two steals. Brennan Kortuem had three rebounds and two steals. Alex Kortuem had four rebounds and four assists. Connor had three rebounds and one assist. Bartell had one rebound and one assist. Johnson had two rebounds. Kelley had three rebounds, three assists and three steals. Gavin Karels had one rebound.
Three days later, Mankato Loyola upset visiting Madelia 67-65 for the Blackhawks’ first loss of the season. The following Saturday, Madelia lost to non-conference Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City 82-70.
The Clippers have a rematch with Loyola tonight (Tuesday). The Crusaders lost their season opener in Madelia and fell to GHEC/ML/T 75-65 for a 5-2 Valley record. They beat the Clippers 68-59 on December 6.
Above: Alex Johnson goes up for a jump shot during the Madelia game.
