As the temperatures drop outside, the high school sports action moves inside to the hardwood. That means it is basketball season in central Pennsylvania.
The 2010 Clearfield Bison basketball team is ready to go, but also knows there’s some rebuilding needing done. The Bisons lose six seniors that graduated last year, all of which were tall forwards that helped keep the team grounded, and also provided much of the offense.
Despite the six graduating players, head coach Forrest Campman is ready for the challenge that lies ahead.
“We had a solid year, finished 13-11. We were competitive every single game, and were a team that could compete every single game,” Campman said.
The 2010 edition of the Bison basketball team returns three letterman, but according to Campman, he has more depth in this year’s team than he did in 2009. The Bisons return letterman in Jack Mellgard, Andrew Redden and Zach Fannin, but Campman is pleased with how much talent he has behind those three. Also making a return to the team this year is senior Derek Morgan, who has not played on the team since his freshman year.
Also, Campman is getting back one of his key players in transition in Curtis Frye. That is key as according to him, many of the players will have a tough time in making up for the loss of the six seniors from last year.
“We had most of our offense last year from Chad [Zurat], Trey [Campman], and Ben [Johnson]. Those guys made up about 70 percent of our scoring, so it’s tough when you lose that kind of talent,” Campman said. “I think we’re gonna have a very athletic team this year, very fast.”
Campman also pointed out that one of his key returning players is forward Curtis Frye, not because of scoring, but more in how he helps on both sides of the court.
“Frye is more of a role-player, doesn’t turn the ball over. I’m looking for him to be big on defense,” Campman said.
One thing that will be different for the 2010 season is a new league for Clearfield. Majority of their season will be played against District 6. Something that Campman is looking forward to because he believes there is more depth in that league, and also because not one team appears better than the other.
“It looks like District 6 is looking really tough this year. There’s no real team that stands out,” Campman said.
The biggest concern Campman has going into the season is that his team has not had much practice time as a whole unit. He credits that to the success of the football team because over half of his squad also played football.
“We haven’t had a full practice for the last week or week and a half, mainly because of that. The football players would come in and shoot a few times in the week, but we only had practice with maybe eight guys,” Campman said. “We have three away games in our first week and we’re probably playing our toughest opponent in the first game of the season.”
That first game will be against Huntingdon on Monday, December 13. The Bearcats went deep into the playoffs last year and are returning some strong players, which has Campman a bit concerned, but also confident.
“Huntingdon has an outstanding team this year. We’ll definitely be prepared, and I think if we can come out in this first week and win maybe two games, we’ll set the tone for the season,” Campman said.
Clearfield’s home opener will be the following Tuesday, December 21, against Tyrone. For all games, the junior varsity contest will begin at 6 p.m. and will be followed by the varsity match-up.
2010 CLEARFIELD BISON BASKETBALL SCHEDULE
DECEMBER: 13-@ Huntingdon, 16-@ Central, 17-@ Dubois, 21-TYRONE, 27-Purchase Line Tournament*, 28-Purchase Line Tournament*
JANUARY: 5-PHILIPSBURG-OSCEOLA, 7-@ Central Mountain, 10-INDIAN VALLEY, 12-@ Bellefonte, 14-LEWISTOWN, 19-@ Penns Valley, 21-BALD EAGLE AREA, 25-@ Juniata, 27-HUNTINGDON, 31-@ Punxsutawney
FEBRUARY: 2-CENTRAL MARTINSBURG, 4-@ Tyrone, 9-@ Philipsburg-Osceola, 11-CENTRAL MOUNTAIN, 14-ST. MARYS, 16-PUNXSUTAWNEY
*Position and opponent to be determined