HYDE — It was a game late in the season that, despite what both teams’ records were showing, had a lot of meaning. On the hardwood, the rivalry between the Bellefonte Red Raiders and the Clearfield Bison has always been one that has brought out emotion, teamwork, and desire. Wednesday night inside the Bison Gymnasium was no exception, because for 32 minutes both squads would not yield.
The battle went right down to the wire, neither team giving in. The difference was too many turnovers at too many critical times, as the one fault of the Bison bit yet again, as they would fall 68-63.
“Up and down. Both teams were trying to play defense. We’re shooting the ball well, finding teammates to get that great shot, and playing efficient,” Clearfield head coach Nate Glunt said afterwards. “We went on that run where Braison had three 3’s and it was like something died, and we were not playing well. But then, everybody calmed down and suddenly, we started playing well. I have no other explanation than that.”
Patrick actually was accounting for all the offense that Clearfield had in the opening quarter. Bellefonte would get their own scoring going as it was tit-for-tat most of the first eight minutes, as neither team made it out to a double-digit advantage. However, Patrick’s heroics only could do so much, as the Bison were behind by four, 17-13, after one. Clearfield found better footing in the second quarter, as Patrick would begin getting guarded heavier, yet Clearfield still pushed to the basket. Patrick still got his points, part of his game-high 33 point night, but Clearfield still went into halftime down by five, 32-27.
The night was all about deep shots, from both sides, because Clearfield and Bellefonte would be shooting from the three-point line whenever the opportunity came. A combined 18 shots went in the net from beyond the arc, with the Bison actually shooting 13-for-19 from the arc. Shooting from that distance normally would be a hinderance. Instead, at least for the Bison, it kept them in the game.
It almost became the important shot to set up the offense as the third quarter would be the best shooting night for the Bison the entire night. Only one shot would be missed in the quarter, as the Bison went 8-for-9 from the floor. Patrick and Evett Maines combined for 14 points, as the Bison won the quarter, going into the final eight minutes down by just one, 47-46.
Both squads would not back down, as when Clearfield took the lead on another Patrick trey, they answered right back on the opposite end with one of their own.
It would be that way for most of the entire final quarter. So much so the Red Raiders had to key in trying to stop the Bison from making three’s. Yet, following a timeout with just 2:28 remaining, the first words from the sidelines on the Bellefonte side were, “No three’s!” Immediately afterwards, Patrick found a spot at the left baseline, and drained one to put Clearfield back out front by two points.
The Raiders continued to push, as Derek Cox got hot in the final stanza as he put up eight of his team-high 16 points in the fourth. With the game at a single-possession gap, Clearfield was beginning to force the issue and had to foul. The Raiders made the needed foul shots, but with 20 seconds remaining a big moment for Clearfield came in that they came back from a timeout trying to push to the basket and would get fouled by Bellefonte. Down five, they knew a couple opportunities would come if they would make it to the five-foul rule, which was implemented at the beginning of the season for each quarter. The Bison would not get that chance, but tried to close the gap when the seconds ticked away. A late three by Anthony Lopez at the right wing was contested, so much so that both he and the defender landed hard on the hardwood and it had the look of being a hard foul. But, officials did not blow the whistle and as the final buzzer went off, Lopez and Bellefonte’s Ethan Tomasacci had to be pulled off the court after the collision.
This season has been a real learning experience for Coach Glunt as it is one of the youngest groups of players he’s coached.
“It’s a growing season. These kids are growing up, getting experience, and they are facing teams that almost always are starting perhaps three seniors, a couple juniors, or something along those lines,” Glunt said. “Everyone has experienced kids, and we have a lot of young guys, and they are growing. But, they are staying positive, and honestly it’s a lot of fun coaching them.”
Clearfield (4-15) will be back on the court on Friday as they will make their final road trip of the season to face Bishop Guilfoyle.
SCORE BY QUARTER
Bellefonte 17 15 15 21 – 68
Clearfield 13 14 19 17 – 63
Bellefonte – 68
Ryder Hamilton 3 0-1 7, Derek Cox 7 2-2 16, Jake McConnell 5 1-1 12, Ethan Tomasacci 5 2-2 14, Jacob Corman 6 1-1 14, Peyton Vancas 1 0-0 3, Brady Wertz 1 0-0 2, Liam Halterman 0 0-0 0. TOTALS 28 6-7 68.
Clearfield – 63
Parker Collins 1 0-0 2, Evett Maines 7 0-0 17, Braison Patrick 10 2-2 33, Anthony Lopez 1 0-0 3, Braylen Way 2 0-0 6, Cooper Broad 0 0-0 0, Kai Lynch 1 0-0 2, Noah Rumfola 0 0-0 0. TOTALS 24 2-2 63.
GAME STATISTICS
Bellefonte/Clearfield
- Shooting: 28-46/24-38
- Rebounds: 20/17
- Fouls: 9/11
- Turnovers: 12/18
- Three-Point Shots: Hamilton, McConnell, Tomasacci-2, Corman, Vancas/Maines-3, Patrick-7, Lopez, Way-2
Bison Scoreboard:
Date Opponent Score Record
12/01 @ DuBois Central Catholic 54 – 68 0 – 1
12/05 CENTRAL 34 – 50 0 – 2
12/08 GREATER JOHNSTOWN 35 – 70 0 – 3
12/11 @ Bellefonte 45 – 62 0 – 4
12/14 BISHOP GUILFOYLE 36 – 68 0 – 5
12/18 @ Tyrone 49 – 78 0 – 6
12/21 HOLLIDAYSBURG 36 – 65 0 – 7
12/28 @ Curwensville 56 – 43 1 – 7
01/03 @ Huntingdon 51 – 57 1 – 8
01/05 @ Westmont Hilltop 47 – 72 1 – 9
01/08 PHILIPSBURG-OSCEOLA 71 – 63 2 – 9
01/11 @ Bellwood-Antis 49 – 46 3 – 9
01/15 @ West Branch 66 – 73 3 – 10
01/17 PENNS VALLEY 41 – 42 3 – 11
01/24 @ Bald Eagle Area 40 – 45 3 – 12
01/26 BEDFORD 41 – 39 4 – 12
01/31 @ Central 38 – 46 4 – 13
02/02 @ Richland 44 – 63 4 – 14
02/07 BELLEFONTE 63 – 68 4 – 15
02/09 @ Bishop Guilfoyle
02/12 TYRONE
02/13 CURWENSVILLE
02/15 Laurel Highlands Tourney
02/17 Laurel Highlands Tourney