Just like with architecture, form followed function in varsity basketball as the Clipper boys lost a pair of home Valley Conference games to bigger and more completely staffed Valley Conference foes.
Mankato Loyola, now 10-1 in the Valley with a loss to LCWM, beat the Clippers 68-22 on Monday while Martin County West, currently 9-2 in the Valley with losses to Loyola and LCWM, thoroughly downed the Clippers 81-26 the Friday before.
After the Crusaders posted the initial seven points, Kyle Connor made the first of two free shots to get the Clippers on the board. Jorden Rossow, back after missing a pair of games due to a knee injury, put in a bucket, but the Clippers were already down 25-1 by then.
Blake Lyons hit a jumper and rebounded and scored for four points, and Connor scored inside for the final basket of the first half. The Crusaders, who beat the Clippers 86-31 earlier in the season, led 37-9 at the break.
After Loyola scored the first nine points of the second half, Gabe Sullivan scored from inside. Later, Carson Lyons put in a jump shot from the baseline, and Kale Kelley scored from the lane. Rossow made a two and a three for the final Clipper points.
No Clipper hit double digits. Rossow led the Clippers with seven points, including the Clippers’ only three. Connor had five points. He was the only Clipper who went to the foul line and made one of two attempts.
The Crusaders limited typical leading scorer Blake Lyons to a pair of baskets in the first half for four points. Carson Lyons, Kelley and Sullivan each added a basket for two points.
The Crusaders put in five three pointers and were nine for 16 from the foul line.
The Clipper offensive results were similar against MCW. After the Mavericks scored twice, Blake Lyons put in a free throw to get the Clippers on the board.
Later, Sullivan scored twice, both after hauling in a couple of offensive rebounds, and then assisted Connor on an inside basket, but the Clippers still trailed 29-7. Later, Kelley made a free shot, and Blake Lyons hit a jump shot as the half wound down, but the Mavericks, who topped the Clippers 68-39 earlier in the season, were far out front, 54-10 at the break.
MCW scored the first eight points of the second half. Blake Lyons made a fancy drive from the baseline for a basket and sunk free throw. Sullivan scored on a jumper, but MCW led 69-15.
Later, Sullivan scored again, but that was the only other Clipper basket from the floor. The remainder of Clipper points came from the foul line.
With eight points, all from the floor, Sullivan led the effort. Kelley and Blake Lyons each added seven points. Connor had for points.
The Clippers had zero threes and were 12 of 26 in free-throw shooting. The Mavericks rained down a dozen three pointers and were 11 of 21 from the foul line.
The Clipper varsity boys, looking hard for a first win this season, return to action on Friday when they travel to Glenville for a non-conference game. The Wolverines have wins against LeRoy-Ostrander and Immanuel Lutheran.
Above: Blake Lyons, Nathan Strobel, Kale Kelley and Kyle Connor chase after a runaway ball during the game against MCW.
Gabe Sullivan stretches for a shot between a pair of MCW defenders.
Second graders showed off their skills at halftime.
More second graders.
More second-grade basketball.
More second-grade basketball.
Brayden Schmidt eyes the hoop during the halftime show.
More second-grade basketball.
Second graders greet the varsity players after halftime.
Kyle Connor reaches for a steal during the MCW game.
Jorden Rossow squares up with Loyola’s Carter Zimmerman. The two were teammates last fall on the Loyola-Cleveland cross-country team. Players Nathan Strobel also wore a Crusader cross-country uniform last fall as did Elijah Mons. Other Crusaders on both the basketball team this winter and cross-country last fall are Chase Kijenski, Kyle Zimmerman, Soren Kelly and Mitchell Buboltz. The reunion made for a fun atmosphere during and after the game.
Blake Lyons on the chase during the Loyola game.
Greta Hahn signals possession from the Clipper student section during Cleveland vs Loyola.