When the prior season came to a conclusion, the Clearfield Bison had a much different feeling than they have been used to in years prior. At the final buzzer, the Punxsutawney Chucks were the ones making the move into the District IX Championship, halting a string of nine title appearances and wins for the Bison.
At the same time, the young squad saw struggles in their first season in Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference competition. At season’s end, the Bison finished with a 5-18 record, the first losing season under head coach Nate Glunt. It was a season that many were not used to, but now that season is over, and a new year awaits.
This year’s team has been working hard during the summer months to get back in form and play Bison basketball, and with many returning lettermen with experience, it’s a benefit that the squad can lean on.
What they do have for the 2024-2025 season is a returning Braison Patrick, who led the team a year ago in scoring with 19 points a game, shooting 46 percent from the floor. His size and ability to penetrate the paint is going to fuel the Clearfield offense this season, as they also return juniors Evett Maines and Parker Collins, who combined for nearly 18 points per game a season ago. Collins returns as the leader in assists, with 2.3 per game a year ago, while Patrick averaged just under four rebounds per game.
Play on the boards was a struggle last year, as the team’s smaller stature made it a challenge to get the rebounds needed to win some of those closer games.
Clearfield is bringing in a lot of players who saw a lot of time last season on the court. Kam Kushner, Kai Lynch and Jake Rumfola, all had solid years on the junior varsity squad while also putting in valuable minutes in varsity play. All three enter their final season on the hardwood for the Bison, and are looking to be key parts in the starting rotation.
The advantage for Clearfield heading into the season is they only lost two to graduation.
Starter Anthony Lopez, who had a solid senior season on the court, and reserve Braylen Way were the lone seniors on last year’s squad, which provided excellent leadership on a young squad. Now, the team still has a lot of youth, but a lot of in-game experience to fall back on.
It’s the second year for the Bison in the Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference, and they are hoping to have more success than last season. Of the five wins last year, only three came in league play. Clearfield also struggled in non-league games, only going 2-2, with both victories coming against Curwensville. In order to get back into the title hunt in both the LHAC and to have an opportunity at the District IX championship, the Bison have to put on a season like they had two years ago. This team has that potential to get back to that point, and will have to come out with some fast play and few turnovers to start the season on the right foot.
It wasn’t till the end of December when Clearfield managed to get their first win on the year in 2023. Glunt, his staff, and the team are looking to change that on the new campaign.
That new campaign will tip off this Tuesday night when the Bison travel to face the Central Dragons, starting at 7:15 p.m. for varsity. Clearfield’s first home game of the year will come Monday, December 9, when they play host to Bellefonte.
2024-2025 Clearfield Bison Roster
SENIORS: Kam Kushner, Kai Lynch, Jake Rumfola, Carter Kaskan
JUNIORS: Parker Collins, Evett Maines, Cooper Broad, Braison Patrick, Landyn Lanager
SOPHOMORES: Noah Rumfola, Aiden Millinder, Tanner Kasken
FRESHMEN: Elijah Glunt, Easton Maines, Brett Fletcher, Max Luzier, JT Strishock
2024-2025 Clearfield Bison Schedule
All varsity games tip at approximately 7:30 p.m. unless noted.
DECEMBER: 3-at Central (7:15 p.m.), 6-at Greater Johnstown (7:15 p.m.), 9-BELLEFONTE, 13-at Bishop Guilfoyle (7:15 p.m.), 16-TYRONE, 19-at Hollidaysburg, 27-CURWENSVILLE
JANUARY: 3-at Westmont Hilltop (6 p.m. w/ no JV), 6-HUNTINGDON, 8-at Philipsburg-Osceola, 10-BELLWOOD ANTIS, 15-at Penns Valley, 17-at Bedford (6 p.m. w/ no JV), 20-WEST BRANCH (7 p.m.), 22-BALD EAGLE AREA, 29-CENTRAL, 31-RICHLAND (6 p.m. w/ no JV)
FEBRUARY: 4-DUBOIS CENTRAL CATHOLIC, 5-at Bellefonte, 7-BISHOP GUILFOYLE, 10-at Tyrone, 12-at Curwensville
