When Jarrin Campman drilled a long range three pointer with just a little over four minutes remaining in the game to take a one point lead it looked as if momentum and lady luck were finally going to cross over to the Bison\’s side. Unfortunately for the the talented Bison squad, the “Basketball God’s” were just toying with them as Greensburg Salem would go on a 19-8 run in the final minutes of the game to oust Clearfield from the first round of the PIAA AAA State Basketball Tournament with a 66-56 victory.
Things looked promising at the start of the game for the Bisons as Clearfield’s “Big 3” of Matt Shiner, Jarrin Campman, and Parker Herrington accounted for all 13 of the Bisons points in the frame. Campman had a big buzzer beating dribble drive over Greensburg Salem’s all star point guard Chris Klimchock. At the end of one the Bisons lead 13-10.
In the second quarter the game continued to go back and forth with the two talented squads trading baskets. Trey Campman and Cruise Kerr had the hot hands for the Bisons in the frame with Campman knocking down two shots from behind the arc and Kerr netting two big put backs. Perhaps the play that sparked inspiration in the Bisons that they could win the game was when Herrington drove into a trio of Salem defenders with time expiring in the half and threw the ball up over his head trying to draw a foul and Kerr tipped it in with time expiring. At the intermission Clearfield was in the lead 31-27.
The Bisons fell into their old ways, which caused them trouble early in the season, by coming out flat in the second half due to having the lead. Clearfield was held to only nine points in the frame and found themselves having to play catch up as the Golden Lions started pulling away with the lead from the 6:35 mark on. Clearfield however was able to cut a seven point lead to two and head into the final quarter trailing 42-40.
The Bisons were able to take the lead back in under a minute after Jarrin Campman knocked down his first three pointer of the period, but Salem quickly grabbed back the lead. Clearfield was able to regain the lead once again with 4:48 remaining but lost it once again and never came closer than five points from that point on. When the final buzzer rang Clearfield found themselves losing their third game of the year and exiting from the first round of the playoffs for the second straight season.
The Bisons however should not hang their heads as they put together one of the most magical seasons in recent history and displayed the skills of true roundballers for paying fans night after night. I would like to personally congratulate the 2008-2009 team on a tremendous season that will be remembered by basketball fans in the area for years to come. For five Bison seniors this will mark the last time they will wear a basketball jersey this season. For two Bisons seniors Campman and Shiner they will represent the school and their fellow players in the District 9 all star game this spring, an honor that is shared by both the players and the school.
Clearfield 56
Shiner 5 5-6 15, J. Campman 4 4-4 14, T. Campman 3 0-0 8, Zurat 2 0-0 4, Herrington 4 0-0 9, Kerr 2 0-0 4, Priester 1 0-0 2, Wilson 0 0-0 0
Greensburg Salem 66
Klimchock 3 12-14 20, Mathews 8 3-3 25, Davis 5 0-0 10, Marino 2 0-0 5, Cooley 1 3-6 5, Manely 1 0-0 2