In a battle of the top two teams in District 9 AAA, Clearfield’s smothering defense and offensive execution lead to a 67-54 victory on the road. Jarrin Campman paved the way for the Bisons netting a game high 21 points and continuing his four game scoring binge in which he has averaged over 20 points a game. Clearfield needed the rest of the starters to pick up the slack as Matt Shiner, the teams leading scorer at just under 20 points a game, was in foul trouble most of the game.
Things did not start well for the Bisons as they found themselves trailing early until Trey Campman put the Bisons first points on the board with a three pointer from the wing. Trey Campman had one of his most impressive games of the season coming up with numerous steals and rebounds, while also adding 12 points to the Bisons cause. At the end of the first quarter the Bisons were able to build a seven point lead and go up 18-11.
Things started to heat up in the second frame for Clearfield as Matt Shiner netted seven of his 12 points in the period. Chad Zurat and Parker Herrington chipped in with four points apiece in the quarter. Herrington finished the game with 13 points, his highest total in five games. Dane Kopas did his best to keep Punxsy in the game netting 13 points in the first half before leaving at the beginning of the second half with an injury. After a buzzer beating layup by Jarrin Campman the Bisons went into the intermission 37-29.
Things got slightly out of hand in the second half as the referees happened to swallow their whistles and refrained from calling numerous muggings. The Bisons still found a way to maintain their composure, until with just seconds left in the frame when Jeremy Priester took a page out of Carmello Anthony’s playbook and threw a punch after he drove to the basket and was mugged and no foul was called. The punch resulted in a technical, but Corey Neal was unable to hit the free throws for the Chucks and the Bisons headed into the final quarter up 51-39.
The Bisons were able to hold off short spurted mini comebacks by Punxsy and get crucial shots from Jarrin Campman and Parker Herrington to come away with the victory and take sole possession of the District 9 League standings.
Clearfield has another crucial game coming up on Friday when they take on league rival Bradford at home with tip-off scheduled for 7:30.
Score by Quarter
Clearfield 18 19 14 16 67
Punxsy 11 18 10 15 54
Clearfield 67
Shiner 4 3-3 12. J.Campman 7 1-2 21. T. Campman 5 0-2 12, Herrington 6 1-1 13, Zurat 2 0-0 4, Kerr 0 0-0 0, Redden 0 1-5 1, Wilson 0 0-0 0, Priester 1 0-0 2.
Punxsutawney 54
C. Neal 6 4-8 18, Kopas 4 5-5 15, Bush 3 1-3 7, Stumpf 2 4-4 6. Tibbs 3 0-0 6, Walker 0 0-0 0, K. Neal 1 0-0 2, Jordan 0 0-0 0