MARTINSBURG — Despite entering into a new league for competition in the 2023-2024 season, a familiar foe welcomed the Clearfield Lady Bison for their first Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference game of the season. The third road trip to start the year meant a trip south for a game against the Lady Dragons of Central.
With two wins already to start the year, the confidence was high for the visitors. Unfortunately, the Lady Bison found themselves in a tough spot as second-half miscues and fouls proved costly as Central handed the girls a 57-43 loss.
Early on, the game was close between the two squads, as the two traded the lead in the opening quarter. After eight minutes, the Lady Dragons held a slim one-possession lead, 11-9. Things stayed relatively the same through the second quarter, with both making good reads and taking good shots. After 16 minutes of action, Central held a 25-22 lead entering the halftime break.
Neither squad began pulling away in the third quarter as the gap remained the same. What began hindering the visitors was some of their starters began getting into foul trouble entering the fourth quarter.
The new foul rules for this season allowed Central to go to the foul line 18 times in the second half. Despite missing seven of those shots, what hurt Clearfield the most was three of their key starters fouling out. Sonny Diehl, Alayna Winters, and Mia Helsel all found themselves forced to the sidelines and unable to provide defense for their teammates.
Central took advantage as they put up 21 points in the final quarter, while limiting the Lady Bison to only 10.
For the Lady Bison, Cayleigh Walker led the team with 13 points, while Diehl added in another 12. Central was led by Morgan Knepp, who finished with a game-high 24 points. Brayln Ellis added in another 15 for the Lady Dragons.
Sitting at 2-1, Clearfield will get to finally hit the hardwood in the Bison Gymnasium on Friday night. The Lady Bison will play host to Greater Johnstown with a special tip-off at 6 p.m. as part of a double-header between the two schools as the boys game will follow.
SCORE BY QUARTER
Clearfield 9 13 11 10 – 43
Central 11 14 11 21 – 57
Clearfield – 43
Sonny Diehl 4 4-6 12, Hannah Glunt 1 6-8 8, Alayna Winters 1 1-3 3, Cayleigh Walker 4 5-6 13, Mia Helsel 3 0-2 6, Myleigh Hudson 0 0-2 0, Caitlyn Albertson 0 0-0 0, Elia Evilsizor 0 1-2 1. TOTALS 13 17-30 43.
Central – 57
Megan Diehl 2 3-6 8, Marah Dickson 0 2-2 2, Mackenzie Rykerd 2 0-0 4, Morgan Knepp 9 5-8 24, Brayln Ellis 5 2-3 15, Lyla Imes 0 0-0 0, Madi Benton 1 0-0 2, Dessa Boyles 0 2-4 2. TOTALS 19 12-21 57.
LADY BISON SCOREBOARD:
Date Opponent Score Record
12/01 @ Brookville Tip-Off Tourney vs. North Clarion 49 – 37 1 – 0
12/02 @ Brookville Tip-Off Tourney vs. Brookville 50 – 23 2 – 0
12/06 @ Central 43 – 57 2 – 1
12/08 GREATER JOHNSTOWN
12/13 BELLEFONTE
12/15 @ Bishop Guilfoyle
12/20 TYRONE
12/22 @ Hollidaysburg
01/03 HUNTINGDON
01/05 @ Westmont Hilltop
01/10 @ Philipsburg-Osceola
01/12 BELLWOOD-ANTIS
01/15 @ Penns Valley
01/18 BEDFORD
01/22 BALD EAGLE AREA
01/24 DUBOIS CENTRAL CATHOLIC
01/29 CENTRAL
02/02 @ Richland
02/05 @ Bellefonte
02/08 BISHOP GUILFOYLE
02/12 @ Tyrone
02/14 @ Curwensville