COMMODORE — The undefeated Clearfield Area High School basketball team took control in the first period and dismantled Purchase Line 67-42 in the nightcap of the 36th annual Purchase Line Lions Club Holiday Tournament’s opening round Monday night.
The win was the seventh for the Bison, who are off to their best start since the 2008-09 team came out of the chute with a similar streak.
Clearfield did not have leading scorer Will Myers, out due to illness, but showcased good scoring balance.
Tommy Hazel was the lone player in double figures with 15 points, while Erik Sellers, David McKenzie and Evan Brown netted nine points apiece and Carter Wood and Cory Shimmel added seven apiece.
Hazel pumped in 11 points as the Bison jumped out to a 23-7 bulge after eight minutes.
They were up 37-12 at intermission before playing the Red Dragons on even terms over the last two periods.
Eric Faught scored 14 points for Purchase Line (0-7).
The original tourney schedule had the Bison paired against Bald Eagle Area in the opener, but a last-minute change resulted in a championship game match-up for the two Mountain League rivals. Tipoff will be Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.
In the first game Monday, the Eagles (4-2) roared from behind in the second half to wipe out a 15-point deficit and defeat Harmony 72-59.
CLEARFIELD — 67
Erik Sellers 4 1-3 9, Cody Spaid 1 0-0 2, Tommy Hazel 4 5-5 15, David McKenzie 4 1-2 9, Carter Wood 3 0-0 7, Evan Brown 4 0-0 9, Caleb Strouse 2 0-0 4, Cory Shimmel 3 0-2 7, Mason Royer 2 0-1 5, Jake Sorbera 0 1-2 1. TOTALS: 27 8-15 67.
PURCHASE LINE — 42
Dan Learn 1 1-2 3, Eric Faught 6 2-4 14, Chuck Deyarmin 1 5-5 7, Zach Faught 4 0-0 9, Melvin Sanchez 2 1-2 5, Dylan Detwiler 0 1-2 1, Jonah Nichols 1 0-0 2, Shamar Campbell 0 1-2 1. TOTALS: 15 11-17 42.
Three-Point Field Goals – Clearfield 5 (Hazel 2, Wood 1, Brown 1, Shimmel 1); Purchase Line 1 (Z. Faught).
Score by Quarters:
Clearfield 23 14 12 18 – 67
Purchase Line 7 5 15 15 – 42
Bison Scoreboard:
| Date | Opponent | Score | Record |
| 12/09 | CENTRAL | 54 – 50 | 1 – 0 |
| 12/12 | @ Huntingdon | 73 – 64 | 2 – 0 |
| 12/15 | @ Curwensville | 71 – 40 | 3 – 0 |
| 12/17 | @ Bellefonte | 53 – 31 | 4 – 0 |
| 12/19 | TYRONE | 79 – 61 | 5 – 0 |
| 12/22 | PUNXSUTAWNEY | 57 – 47 | 6 – 0 |
| Purchase Line Tourney | |||
| 12/29 | vs. Purchase Line | 67 – 42 | 7 – 0 |
| 12/30 | vs. Bald Eagle Area | ||
| 01/06 | @ Bald Eagle Area | ||
| 01/07 | @ Brookville | ||
| 01/09 | PENNS VALLEY | ||
| 01/14 | @ Philipsburg-Osceola | ||
| 01/16 | @ St. Marys | ||
| 01/19 | @ DuBois | ||
| 01/21 | @ Central | ||
| 01/23 | HUNTINGDON | ||
| 01/28 | BELLEFONTE | ||
| 01/30 | @ Tyrone | ||
| 02/03 | BALD EAGLE AREA | ||
| 02/06 | @ Penns Valley | ||
| 02/09 | CURWENSVILLE | ||
| 02/11 | PHILIPSBURG-OSCEOLA |