COMMODORE — For the fourth year in a row, the Clearfield Bisons walked away from the Purchase Line Lions Club Invitational Tournament with the most hardware after disposing of Purchase Line 66-36 in the championship game Thursday night.
James Zimmerman, a senior, poured in 21 points and was named the Most Valuable Player for his scoring (31 points) and rebounding in the two-day holiday event.
Teammates Todd Hryn, who scored 10 points, and Mike Johnson, who tallied eight, also were picked for the all-tournament team.
Coach Forrest Campman\’s Bisons also reigned in 2003 with Joe Davis the MVP, 2004 with Tanner Kelly the MVP and 2005 with Beau Ryan the MVP.
Turnovers plagued both teams in the early going as Johnson\’s free throw was the only point in the first four minutes. Then, Clearfield began to capitalize on its pressure defense, taking a 9-2 lead into the second quarter and then outscoring the Red Dragons 28-12. Zimmerman keyed the outburst with 11 points, while juniors Hryn and Drew Hipps came off the bench to net six apiece.
Zimmerman continued his hot hand in the third quarter with 10 as Clearfield, which hit 18 of 22 foul shots, expanded its lead to 52-21.
Scott Small led Purchase Line with 10 points. He and Jim Rusko were all-tournament selections.
Clearfield, off to its best start under Campman at 6-3, has two tough District 9 League assignments next week. The Bisons, 1-1 in the league, will host defending PIAA Class A champion and undefeated Elk County Catholic Wednesday and travel to Bradford Friday. ECC is 2-0 in the league and 7-0 going into the Elk County Holiday Tournament this weekend.
CLEARFIELD — 66
John Lhota 1 0-1 3, Andrew Janocko 1 0-0 2, Mike Johnson 2 4-6 8, James Zimmerman 9 2-3 21, Kyle Kline 1 0-0 2, Todd Hryn 3 4-4 10, Drew Hipps 2 4-4 8, Jarrin Campman 1 4-4 7, Parker Herrington 0 0-0 0, David Ryan 0 0-0 0, Joel Fox 0 0-0 0, Matt Shiner 1 0-0 3, Cruise Kerr 1 0-0 2. Totals: 22 18-22 64.
PURCHASE LINE — 36
Jim Rusko 3 2-4 8, Shawn Small 4 2-5 10, Josh Kurken 2 0-2 4, Cody Engle 0 1-2 1, Dominic Jones 2 2-2 7, Logan Small 1 0-0 2, Craig Baker 1 1-2 3, Alex Bakaysa 0 1-2 1, Matt Cunningham 0 0-0 0, Brent Kordish 0 0-0, Adam McAfoos 0 0-0 0. Totals: 13 9-19 36.
Three-Point Field Goals: Clearfield 4 (Lhota 1, Zimmerman 1, Campman 1, Shiner 1). Purchase Line 1 (Jones 1).
Clearfield 9 28 15 14 — 66
Purchase Line 2 12 7 15 — 36