For Clipper fans, it was exciting to watch their team come back from as much as a 12-point deficit in the first half to dominate host Alden-Conger/Glenville-Emmons 47-19 after the break on Friday.
It was enjoyable to watch Brennan Kortuem take over the game with drives from the floor and a hat trick of threes for 19 second-half points. It was gratifying to see Braeden Smith, back after a five-game hiatus, add to the effort with four baskets from the floor. It was fun to see threes from Alex Kortuem, Bode Bartell and Carson Lyons.
But perhaps the most memorable part of the game came in the final moments.
Set up behind the arc, Dominic Anderson took a Sam Ternes pass, and, for a few seconds, held the ball as the last few seconds ticked away.
But any player finally checked into the game for the final few trips down the floor has a right to get into the books, so Anderson, cheered on by underclassmen in the bleachers behind him, finally decided to toss up a shot.
Symbolizing how everything went the Clippers’ way in the second half, the ball took a couple of quick tours around the rim before falling through the net to put an exclamation point on the 84-58 win.
“We’ve been focusing a lot more on offense,” said Lyons. “On defense it’s hustle and get boards, and that’s just effort stuff, but on offense, we are getting everything put together.”
With three threes and a pair of two-point baskets, the Knights spurted for 13-points to lead 19-9 in the first half. Kale Kelley bagged a pair of free shots, but the Knights responded with another three and a free shot to extend their lead to 12 points.
But Lyons scored on a layup as did Smith after a Clipper steal. Later, Lyons bagged a three, and Brennan Kortuem stole near half court and put in a layup. With Kelley layup just in front of the buzzer, the Clippers went into the locker room only down by three, 40-37.
“We always start off slow,” Lyons said. “We have to get used to the game. It starts to flow better more offensively and defensively. We’re a better transition team.”
The Knights scored the first basket after the break, but after Brennan Kortuem put in a free shots, Smith scored on an inbounds pass and then deadlocked the game at 42 three minute into the half.
Later, with a Brennan Kortuem three followed by a Lyons three and then back-to-back Brennan Kortuem threes before a Bartell three, the Clippers scored 15 of the next 17 points to go in front 69-50.
Kortuem ended the night with 32 points, nine of them from three-point range. Lyons, also with a trio of threes in his mix, had 17 points. Smith totaled 14 points. Kelley had six points, Bartell had five points, Kyle Connor had four points, and Alex Kortuem and Anderson each had three points.
The Clippers put in nine threes and 13 of 22 foul shots. The Knights had six threes, including five in the first half, and made seven of 13 free throws.
The Clippers host Granada-Huntley-East Chain/Truman/Martin Luther tonight (Monday). Earlier in the season, they beat the Jaguars 65-58.
The Jags have had an up and down year. They lost to Nicollet but handed conference leader Mankato Loyola what is now its only conference loss since the Crusaders recently picked up another win after their season-opening loss to Madelia turned into a 2-0 forfeit.
Above: Braeden Smith winds up for a jump shot.
