The Madelia varsity girls were looking for their first win this year when they came to Cleveland on Monday.
But the Clippers would have none of it and soundly defeated the Blackhawks 65-16.
It was a good chance for the Clippers to work on some plays as they prepare to host conference leader Lake Crystal-Wellcome Memorial on Thursday, said head coach Joe Remiger.
“You always want stiffer a competitor, but tonight allowed us to work (on new defenses and offenses). It was easy for me to say ‘here’s how we’re coming out; here’s what we’re going to do.' So that end is nice that we can do that instead of against our own team that knows what’s going on in practice.”
After an O rebound, Sarena Remiger scored the game’s first basket. Macey Ziebarth took a Halle McCabe steal and assist in for a basket, and then the sequence switched with Ziebarth on the swipe and McCabe on the score.
With an Emily Kern steal and shore-to-shore drive, the Clippers, although they left some easy baskets roll off the rim, were quickly up 10-0.
Later in the half, Ziebarth and Kaylee Karels scored from behind the arc to extend the lead.
With more of the same, the Clippers were up 32 to zippo before the hapless Blackhawks managed a basket with 7:20 remaining.
While Karels arced another three, Madelia put in a few free throws and scored the last two baskets before the intermission, but the Clippers still were in front 40-10 at the break.
Madelia scored the first two points of the second half, but Ziebarth responded with a three, and McCabe sunk a jumper from the corner.
Ziebarth paced the Clippers with 23 points. McCabe scored 18 points, and Karels made a dozen points. Kern added eight points, and Remiger had four points.
Later, the Clippers cleared their bench as they sailed to the easy-peasy triumph.
Cleveland 40 25 65
Madelia 10 6 16
Points 65 (Emily Kern 8, Macey Ziebarth 23, Kaylee Karels 12, Halle McCabe 18, Sarena Remiger 4)
2FG 22
3FG 6 (Ziebarth 3, Karels 3)
FT 3-10 (30%)
Kaylee Karels makes her way to the hoop.
Macey Ziebarth takes aim from three-point territory.
Sarena Remiger negotiates her way to the net.