HYDE — Ever since the Clearfield Bison cagers got the win over Curwensville at the end of December, the team has become more driven, more cohesive, and according to head coach Nate Glunt, playing in an unselfish fashion. That led them from a 1-5 record to start the year to being on a six-game winning streak. Monday night, the Bison Gymnasium welcomed the Bison back to the home court to start a run of six-straight contests on the home hardwood, but on the opposing side of the court, the West Branch Warriors were ready to play a spoiler to end the streak.
This night was not for the visitors as the Bison would get out to a lead, then took advantage of a sluggish second half, extending their winning ways with a 63-40 triumph over the Warriors.
Both teams started the night feeling one another out, and trying to figure out how to get into the paint. Both offenses are quick-paced, and neither was yielding for the other. Eight minutes in, Clearfield held just a one-point advantage, 14-13.
The second quarter, Clearfield picked it up.
Using the ability of both Evett Maines and Braison Patrick, Clearfield would pull a single-point advantage and stretch it out to a three-possession gap. Maines would go off, draining 10 of his 15 points in the quarter. Patrick, meanwhile, found a home from the deep range, as he would drop a six pack of treys on the night, earning a game-high 22 points in the effort.
Coming out of halftime, Clearfield was holding a 32-25 advantage. What no one anticipated was the Warriors not being able to roar back like they have in games past against Clearfield.
Danny Clark’s team would come out in the third quarter, and only put up seven points. Clearfield, meanwhile, took advantage of the missed opportunities and doubled-up the opposition, taking a 47-32 lead into the final quarter.
West Branch’s Owen Koleno led the scoring for the visitors with 19 points, but the Warriors continued to struggle in the fourth quarter, only bucketing another eight points.
By contrast, the Bison were in cruise control, to the point where the entire team got the opportunity to get on the floor in the fourth quarter, getting valuable minutes to prepare them in case they need called upon later in the season.
Sitting at 8-5, the Bison will be back on the home court on Wednesday when they host Bald Eagle Area. Junior varsity tips off at 6 p.m. with the varsity to follow.
SCORE BY QUARTER
West Branch 13 12 7 8 – 40
Clearfield 14 18 15 16 – 63
West Branch – 40
Lukas Colton 3 0-0 8, Joel Evans 4 2-5 10, Owen Koleno 8 1-1 19, Easton Emigh 0 0-0 0, Coby Kephart 1 1-2 3, Logan Liptak 0 0-0 0. TOTALS 16 4-8 40.
Clearfield – 63
Parker Collins 3 0-0 8, Evett Maines 7 0-0 15, Braison Patrick 8 0-0 22, Carter Kaskan 4 0-0 8, Kai Lynch 0 0-0 0, Jake Rumfola 0 0-0 0, Elijah Glunt 2 2-2 6, Noah Rumfola 0 0-0 0, Easton Maines 0 0-0 0, JT Strishock 0 0-0 0, Tanner Kaskan 1 0-0 2, Landyn Lanager 0 0-0 0, Max Luzier 0 0-0 0, Xavier Curry 1 0-0 2, Brett Fletcher 0 0-0 0. TOTALS 26 2-2 63.
BISON SCOREBOARD:
Date Opponent Score Record
12/03 @ Central 49 – 67 0 – 1
12/06 @ Greater Johnstown 44 – 68 0 – 2
12/09 BELLEFONTE 61 – 51 1 – 2
12/13 @ Bishop Guilfoyle 46 – 72 1 – 3
12/16 TYRONE 53 – 75 1 – 4
12/19 @ Hollidaysburg 47 – 71 1 – 5
12/27 CURWENSVILLE 72 – 62 2 – 5
01/03 WESTMONT HILLTOP ppd. 2 – 5
01/06 HUNTINGDON ppd. 2 – 5
01/08 @ Philipsburg-Osceola 64 – 33 3 – 5
01/10 BELLWOOD ANTIS 60 – 35 4 – 5
01/14 HUNTINGDON 51 – 48 5 – 5
01/15 @ Penns Valley 61 – 40 6 – 5
01/17 @ Bedford 51 – 50 7 – 5
01/20 WEST BRANCH 63 – 40 8 – 5
01/22 BALD EAGLE AREA
01/27 WESTMONT HILLTOP
01/29 CENTRAL
01/31 RICHLAND
02/04 DUBOIS CENTRAL
02/05 @ Bellefonte
02/07 BISHOP GUILFOYLE
02/10 @ Tyrone
02/12 @ Curwensville