Based on past seasons, the 2024-2025 campaign for the Clearfield Bison on the basketball court was slightly off from what could be considered familiar for a Nate Glunt-coached team. The season was a success in record, as the Bison finished overall with a 15-10 record, but the last few seasons have seen struggle after struggle to be consistent.
Last year’s squad improved from the prior year, which only won five games. Clearfield did get back on top of District IX, taking down St. Marys in the title game, before ultimately falling to Grove City in the first round of the state playoffs.
Many of the players that were part of that season a year ago are back, bringing a lot of playing experience both as starters and off the bench, that could be beneficial if the Bison want to make another run at a district title. No returning starter is going to have a more important impact on this year’s team than senior Braison Patrick, who was the team leader nearly across the board a year ago.
With an average of just over 20 points per game, a total of 128 rebounds, and 28 steals, Patrick’s junior campaign was one to remember. Entering the new year, Patrick is only 70 points away from eclipsing the 1000-point mark for his career. He could reach that point early in the season based on his trends.
In order to do that, he is going to rely on a few teammates to feed him the ball, and give him opportunities.
What benefits him is having a pair of starters back on the court for the new year in Parker Collins and Evett Maines. Collins is back as the team-leader in assists from a year ago, accounting for 70 on the season, and has the second-highest shooting percentage on the team. He proved to be a strong leader of the offense, both in transition, executing plays, and in ball movement when trying to penetrate into the paint.
Maines comes in giving the Clearfield offense a true deep-shooting threat, as he shot 40% from three-point range. The second-leading scorer from last season, finishing with 343 points, is going to be a big part of the Bison offense again to take the focus off both Patrick and Collins.
Although the starting rotation is not fully known, there are plenty of returning players that have gotten some experience on the varsity floor that can give the starters a breather as needed.
One key returner that proved to be a big benefit off the bench is sophomore Elijah Glunt. He would see a lot of time on the floor a season ago, putting up 205 points in nearly 600 minutes of playing time, averaging 8.5 points per game. He also was excellent on the boards, gaining 63 rebounds, with nearly 30 percent of those coming on offense. Adding in 64 assists, plus 26 steals, Glunt could easily be part of the starting five if the coaches decide to give him that opportunity.
Along with Glunt, expect to see Noah Rumfola, Easton Maines, and a few others come in for relief as needed to get some minutes on the floor and give the beginning rotation a chance to catch their breath.
What Clearfield is hoping for in this upcoming year is consistency. Last year, the Bison began 1-2 before dropping three consecutive games within the Laurel Highlands. It wasn’t until a groove against Curwensville just days after Christmas that the team began turning things around. That win began a streak of eight consecutive victories to put them back in the hunt for a league championship. That momentum shifted soon after, as they dropped four of six before finishing out the regular season with a pair of victories.
Clearfield is extremely capable of continuing their reign in District IX again this season, and has the coaching to do so, and the players that can execute the plans from opening tip to final buzzer.
The wait is drawing to a close for the start of the new year, as Clearfield’s first game will be on Thursday night when they play host to Hollidaysburg. Tip-off for varsity is set for approximately 7:30 p.m.
Clearfield Bison Basketball Roster
SENIORS: Parker Collins, Evett Maines, Landyn Lanager, Braison Patrick, Xavier Curry
JUNIORS: Noah Rumfola, Aiden Millinder, Tanner Kaskan
SOPHOMORES: Elijah Glunt, Easton Maines, Brett Fletcher, Max Luzier, JT Strishock
2025-2026 Clearfield Bison Schedule
Varsity tip-off at 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted.
DECEMBER
4-HOLLIDAYSBURG, 8-at Huntingdon, 11-PHILIPSBURG-OSCEOLA, 15-at Penns Valley, 17-at Somerset (6:15 p.m.), 19-CHESTNUT RIDGE, 22-BELLWOOD ANTIS, 29-at Curwensville (6 p.m.)
JANUARY
5-at Bald Eagle, 8-at West Branch, 12-at Central, 14-at Bellefonte, 16-at Forest Hills, 21-BISHOP GUILFOYLE, 23-TYRONE, 26-at Brookville (7:15 p.m.), 28-at Hollidaysburg, 30-CENTRAL CAMBRIA
FEBRUARY
4-HUNTINGDON, 5-at Philipsburg-Osceola, 9-PENNS VALLEY, 10-PUNXSUTAWNEY (7:15 p.m.)
