RICHLAND — The idea of a double-header is normally seen when it comes to the baseball diamond, usually because the original date of the game was rained out and because of schedules, both games would happen in successive fashion. It is not often done in basketball, let alone more than once in a season. Clearfield has experienced the fortune, or lack of fortune depending on who you may ask, in that they would have three different double-header nights on the hardwood. The main difference in this instance is that the Bison and Lady Bison would be the ones taking the court on the same night.
The third such moment in the year came on Friday night with Clearfield making the trip to face off with Richland.
The opening contest on the night would see the ladies take the court, as the Lady Bison and Lady Rams would compete against one another for the lone time this season. Fresh off a win against Central, and winners of five of their last six, this game for the Lady Bison would be one that neither team at any point would have an advantage. For 32 minutes, the two squads would duke it out, and in the end the Lady Bison would fall just short of victory, losing 49-44.
Clearfield managed to have a solid start to the night, as the Lady Bison had a balanced scoring output from four of their “Iron Five.” At the same time, the Lady Rams were still making it close, as it was only a single possession gap after eight minutes. The second quarter, however, belonged to Richland as they doubled-up Clearfield to take a 26-20 lead heading into halftime. Still, the Lady Bison were in it, and felt they still had a strong chance to get back into the game.
They did just that as Cayleigh Walker would score over half the points, cutting the gap down to just three points.
The final quarter would be the deciding factor as both would battle deep into the final stanza. Clearfield would be hindered late in the going as Hannah Glunt would foul out, the lone Lady Bison to do so, but Richland could not take advantage at the foul line as they would not shoot a free throw in the final eight minutes. The Lady Rams were only 7-for-16 from the line, but they did not need to be strong at the line as their offense managed to put up enough points to extend the lead just out of reach for Clearfield to make up.
Clearfield had three players in double digits, as Mia Helsel led all scorers with 17 points on the night. Both Walker and Sonny Diehl added in 11 points. For the Lady Rams, both Lanie Marshall and Sasha Garnett each accounted for 13 points.
SCORE BY QUARTER
Clearfield 14 6 11 13 – 44
Richland 12 14 8 15 – 49
Clearfield – 43
Sonny Diehl 5 1-6 11, Hannah Glunt 2 1-2 5, Alayna Winters 0 0-0 0, Cayleigh Walker 2 7-8 11, Mia Helsel 6 2-2 17, Caitlyn Albertson Elia Evilsizor 0 0-0 0. TOTALS 15 11-18 43.
Richland – 49
Lanie Marshall 5 2-2 13, Emma Matejovich 2 1-2 5, Leina Roman 4 1-4 9, Sasha Garnett 5 3-6 13, Trinity Macey 1 0-2 2, Danera Robinson 0 0-0 0, Rebecca Fetcnko 3 0-0 7, Jaelynn Johns 0 0-0 0. TOTALS 20 7-16 49.
Once the girls game came to a conclusion, the scoreboard got reset and warm-up music hit the speakers. The nightcap on the night was when the Bison cagers, hoping to get back on the winning track, took on the Rams, who were ready to double up on the night.
This night saw the latter become a reality, as the middle part of the contest would be the downfall for Clearfield, as they dropped the second game, 63-44.
Neither team would really have any standout performance in the opening quarter, despite Clearfield holding a 7-6 advantage. Everything changed in the second quarter as the Rams would have seven different players manage to put points on the board. By contrast, Clearfield was limited in their production. What was a slim advantage after one quarter suddenly became a three-possession deficit heading into the locker room.
Richland would not let up as they would outscore Clearfield in the third quarter, 20-11, to put the game out of reach for the visitors.
Clearfield’s Braison Patrick would still have a solid night on the hardwood, accounting for a game-high 21 points, along with five rebounds. Parker Collins also managed to put up 10 points in the loss.
The fourth quarter saw many reserves for the Rams come in to close out the night, but still managed to put on a 19-point performance in the last eight minutes to close out the win.
Three Rams hit double figures, with Glaiden Hale leading all with 12 points. Henry Levander accounted for 11, with Braden Hirsh adding in another 10.
SCORE BY QUARTER
Clearfield 7 8 11 18 – 44
Richland 6 18 20 19 – 63
Clearfield – 44
Parker Collins 3 3-4 10, Evett Maines 2 2-2 7, Braison Patrick 6 6-6 21, Anthony Lopez 1 0-0 2, Braylen Way 0 0-0 0, Cooper Broad 2 0-2 4, Noah Rumfola 0 0-0 0. TOTALS 14 11-14 44.
Richland – 63
Nate Thompson 2 0-0 4, Luke Raho 2 0-0 5, Preston Warner 1 2-2 4, Braden Hirsh 5 0-0 10, Glaiden Hale 5 2-4 12, Henry Levander 5 1-4 11, Austin Yarnick 2 0-0 4, Joe Penna 0 0-0 0, Arnold Mugerwa 3 0-2 6, Van Gant-Kanic 0 0-0 0, Jamere Christian 1 0-0 2, Shane Kehl 1 0-0 2, Kadin Patterson 1 0-0 3. TOTALS 28 5-12 63.
Both the Lady Bison and Bison will start the first full week of February against Bellefonte, but on different days. The Lady Bison (11-7) will travel to face the Lady Raiders on Monday night. The Bison (4-14) will play host to the Red Raiders in the Bison Gym on Wednesday night. Tip-off for both varsity contests will be at approximately 7:30 p.m.