There is nothing like a good, old-fashioned rivalry to bring out the best in a team.
Clearfield girls basketball coach Joey Castagnolo knows on Wednesday evening when his Lady Bisons step onto the court in Patton Hall at Curwensville Area High School in the Gant Daily Game of the Week to face Vic Gearhart\’s Lady Tide his team will be getting the best the Lady Tide have to offer.
\”We have to be ready,\” Castagnolo said about Curwensville after his squad suffered its only loss on the season to Brookville last Friday.
The Lady Tide (4-1) enter the game riding a 3-game winning streak and feature a two-headed offense led by December 10 Gant Daily Athlete of the Week Dani Struble and Jackie White. Struble scored 18 points against West Branch and scorched Moshannon Valley for 23 points in Mo Valley League victories. She scored 26 points in the Lady Tides only loss – to Elk County Catholic. White scored 17 points against West Branch, and Catagnolo knows his team will have to be ready to face Curwensville\’s attack.
Some old friends will also meet on the floor as a few played together in elementary school at St. Francis is Clearfield.
\”The game still holds the rivalry,\” Castagnolo said. \”The White girl played with Elizabeth Sopic and Nikki (Collins) and Brooke (Jordan) at St. Francis. There is still a rivalry there. We expect to get their best game.\”
While Clearfield is coming off its first loss of the season, the defeat was telling as to what Castagnolo\’s Lady Bisons need to improve upon.
\”We need to work on our man-to-man a little bit,\” Castagnolo said. \”We have to be a better team. They have to keep their heads up and we have to work hard. We have to be ready. They have a two-person offense with Struble and White.\”
Offensively, Clearfield hopes to return to its early-season form as it piled up three victories before running out of gas against Brookville.
\”We have to work on our offense.\”
Junior varsity action is set for a 6 p.m. tip-off Wednesday evening.