PUNXSUTAWNEY — One night earlier, Clearfield Head Coach Nate Glunt said that when it came to this year’s season finale, “Anytime you go to Punxsutawney, it’s a tough place to play.” Having endured a season that has seen more games than actual practices, the Clearfield Bison endured challenge after challenge, but were able to put together a full 22-game season, concluding with said trip to Punxsutawney to take on the Chucks. Punxsutawney was hoping to avenge its loss a couple weeks ago, an absolute rout by the Bison on a night where they honored their seniors.
This time around, it was not a rout. Both teams pushed one another to the limit from start to finish, with neither willing to back down. However, a strong push in the second quarter by Clearfield gave them a lead that in the end would not be relinquished, resulting in a 72-56 victory to end their regular season on a high note.
From the opening tip, both squads went back-and-forth, trying to gain an advantage on the other. Clearfield had the lead, then the Chucks would come back. Neither yielded, but after eight minutes it was Punxsutawney that held the slim one-point advantage, 17-16.
Clearfield would not go quietly, as they decided to test the waters from deep range, and thanks to some timely shots behind the arc by Matt Pallo, the momentum shifted into the entire Bison squad. Clearfield put up 21 points in the frame, while holding the Chucks to eight, to take a 37-25 Bison advantage into the locker room.
The third quarter saw both squads pick up the pace in scoring, as both sides combined for 44 points. But, Clearfield’s Cole Miller suddenly found his shot in this game.
For the last few weeks, the sophomore has struggled from deep range, but on this night things suddenly went his way. Miller would nail seven shots from three-point range, part of his game-high 24 point effort, that became key to Clearfield’s triumph. He would be one of three Bison to hit double figures, as both Pallo and Karson Rumsky each accounted for 15 points. Miller also added in seven boards and four assists, while Rumsky added in a trio of steals.
Clearfield held the 58-48 advantage after three quarters, despite the Chucks winning the third quarter by a slim margin. Andrew Young would lead the scoring for Punxsutawney with 15 points, while Nick Humble added in another 12.
The Bison cruised to victory in the fourth quarter, despite Punxsutawney reeling them in slightly, but it was too late as Clearfield won the final quarter, 14-8, to ensure the win was in their hands.
The regular season has come to a close, and Clearfield finished its 2021 campaign with a full slate of games, resulting in a 17-5 record. Now, they await to hear the pairing for the District IX championship. A date, time, and location, have yet to be announced.
SCORE BY QUARTER
Clearfield 16 21 21 14 – 72
Punxsutawney 17 8 23 8 – 56
CLEARFIELD – 72
Karson Rumsky 4 6-8 15, Luke Winters 1 1-1 3, Matt Pallo 4 4-5 15, Nick Ryan 0 1-2 1, Cole Miller 8 1-2 24, Ryan Gearhart 2 0-0 5, Jake Lezzer 2 1-2 5, Curvey Purket 0 2-2 2, Morgan Billotte 0 0-0 0, Isakk Way 0 0-0 0, Nasheed Thompson 1 0-0 2, Luke Pallo 0 0-0 0. TOTALS 22 16-22 72.
PUNXSUTAWNEY – 56
Noah Weaver 4 0-0 8, Ethan Presloid 3 3-6 9, Gabe Kensersky 3 0-0 7, Nick Humble 5 1-2 12, Andrew Young 5 3-4 15, Graham Lott 1 0-0 2, Ryan Heisley 0 0-0 0, Jauger McDivitt 0 0-0 0, Josh Shoemaker 0 0-0 0, Ferrent 0 0-0 0, Donnie Neese 0 0-0 0, Nick Johns 0 0-0 0, Kyle Nesbitt 1 0-2 3, Zach Dinger 0 0-0 0, Jackson Craft 0 0-0 0. TOTALS 22 7-14 56.