Slow Start Leads to Crucial D9 League Loss for Bisons

St.Marys–The Bisons for the second straight game came out sluggish and unprepared to play.  Unfortunately, Thursday night against District 9 League opponent Elk County Catholic poor early play resulted in a loss.  The Bisons fell behind early to the Crusaders and were not able to recover as they were defeated 55-46.

 

Clearfield was able to score the first points of the game as Jarrin Campman was able to nail a three pointer on the Bison\’s first trip down the court.  The Crusaders answered right back with a basket from Nate Higgins.  Campman would hit another shot for the Bisons to go up 5-2, but unfortunately that would be that last time the Bisons would lead.  The Crusaders would go on a 15-3 run to end the quarter and go up 17-8.

 

In the second the Bisons would continue to turn the ball over and miss some open shots while the Crusaiders would knock down every open look to go up 36-15 at the intermission.

 

Clearfield would come out in the second half a little more ready to play, but it would not be enough to make the comeback.  Coach Campman had this to say on the poor first half performance,\”  We dug ourselves in a whole just like we did against Bradford, we did the same things in both games, we came out in the second half ready to play but it was just too late.\”

 

In the third quarter the Bisons were able to to cut the lead to 12 with baskets from Todd Hryn and Drew Hipps.  Hryn would score six of his eight points in that quarter.

 

In the fourth the Bisons were able to cut the lead to as little as seven, but were just not able to get over the hump and make the crucial baskets.

 

\”We had a chance with some time left in the fourth to make a comeback.  Jarrin missed a big 3 that could have brought us within four, but you can\’t say one missed basket could have won or lost the game,\” said Campman on the final minutes of the game.

 

Clearfield once again was able to get good production from the bench as David Ryan, Cruise Kerr, Joel Fox, and Nate Greenland were all able to contribute in different ways.  \”David and Cruise came in and were able to give us good minutes again tonight, the bench played well\”, commented Campman on his bench.

 

As for his final thoughts on the game Campman had this to say, \”As a coach you have to take the blame for the way your team plays.  It\’s like any other job. I\’m the boss and they are my workers, and if your workers aren\’t performing the best they can it\’s the boss\’ fault.  Maybe I have been too tough in practice lately, I might be over running them in practice or over practicing them, it\’s my fault.  Next week will be our proving point, we have three home games and we need to win them all\”

 

The Bisons will be back in action Monday night as they take on the Philipsburg-Osceola Mounties at home in a non league game.