PHILIPSBURG — The week for the Clearfield Bison on the court saw back-to-back action, and also a quick road trip east on Rt. 322. Thursday night, a rivalry showdown was on tap when they hit the court on the road against Philipsburg-Osceola, hoping to sweep the season after getting the win back in December in the Bison Gym.
It was a quick trip, and a quick night, as the Bison charged out to an early lead with strong offense and smothering defense. Nearly every player on the Clearfield roster saw time on the court, finishing with a 65-36 triumph that ended with a running clock.
P-O struggled in the opening quarter to get any offense going, similar to the first meeting between the two squads. A single bucket was all they could muster, while Clearfield was running the floor in their usual offensive strategy. After eight minutes, the 14-2 score was a strong indication of what was coming for the remainder of the night.
The Mounties did have a better second quarter, putting up 10 points, but Clearfield was running away with the game as they again put up 14, taking a 28-12 lead into the halftime break.
It was the third quarter when Clearfield truly put things away.
The entire team came out faster, charging harder, and scoring at will, putting up 27 points compared to eight for P-O. It was enough that the running clock was put into effect, which made the night finish faster. At the same time, it gave Clearfield a chance to reset and give the starters a well-deserved curtain call, giving the young players more time on the court to prepare for their chance to be in the spotlight.
Evett Maines topped the contest in scoring with 17 points. Tanner Kaskan was close behind with 14 points, also adding in seven rebounds. Braison Patrick also hit double figures, finishing with 10 points.
Two games remain for Clearfield (18-2) on the regular season, both coming next week, and both will be played inside the Bison Gym. It will be back-to-back nights beginning on Monday, February 9, when they play the final Laurel Highlands game of the year, hosting Penns Valley. Clearfield topped the Rams on December 15, 61-45, in Spring Mills.
Tip-off for junior varsity is at 6 p.m. Varsity action will follow.
SCORE BY QUARTER
Clearfield 14 14 27 10 – 65
Philipsburg-Osceola 2 10 8 16 – 36
Clearfield – 65
Parker Collins 2 3-4 7, Evett Maines 6 2-2 17, Braison Patrick 4 2-2 10, Elijah Glunt 2 0-1 5, Tanner Kaskan 6 2-2 14, Noah Rumfola 0 0-0 0, Easton Maines 0 0-0 0, Cooper Broad 0 0-0 0, Ethan Coudriet 0 0-0 0, Demitri Vitullo 1 0-0 2, Dominic Natoli 0 0-0 0, Nolan Livergood 0 0-0 0, Avery Schneck 0 0-0 0, Zach Porter 0 0-0 0, Caleb Gibson 0 0-0 0, Nico Natoli 0 0-0 0. TOTALS 21 11-13 65.
Philipsburg-Osceola – 36
Myers 4 2-2 11, Matia 0 0-0 0, Klinger 1 0-0 3, Desimone 2 0-0 5, McClenahan 0 0-2 0, D. Kendziora 0 0-0 0, J. Kendziora 0 1-2 1, Mason 0 4-4 4, Martin 0 0-0 0, Biesh 1 1-2 3, Matier 3 1-1 7. TOTALS 11 11-15 36.
Clearfield Bison Basketball Scoreboard
| DATE AND OPPONENT | SCORE | RECORD |
| 12/2 HOLLIDAYSBURG | PPD. | 0-0 |
| 12/4 HOLLIDAYSBURG | 71-59 | 1-0 |
| 12/8 at Huntingdon | 69-45 | 2-0 |
| 12/11 PHILIPSBURG-OSCEOLA | 76-30 | 3-0 |
| 12/15 at Penns Valley | 61-45 | 4-0 |
| 12/17 at Somerset (6:15 p.m.) | 71-39 | 5-0 |
| 12/19 CHESTNUT RIDGE | PPD. | 5-0 |
| 12/22 BELLWOOD-ANTIS | 64-60 | 6-0 |
| 12/29 at Curwensville (6 p.m.) | 56-31 | 7-0 |
| 12/30 CHESTNUT RIDGE | 87-40 | 8-0 |
| 1/5 at Bald Eagle Area | 69-43 | 9-0Â |
| 1/8 at West Branch | 81-42 | 10-0 |
| 1/12 at Central | 56-44 | 11-0 |
| 1/14 at Bellefonte | 73-52 | 12-0 |
| 1/16 at Forest Hills | 44-72 | 12-1 |
| 1/21 BISHOP GUILFOYLE | PPD. | 12-1 |
| 1/22 BISHOP GUILFOYLE | 53-48 | 13-1 |
| 1/23 TYRONE | 82-65 | 14-1 |
| 1/26 at Brookville (7:15 p.m.) | PPD. | 14-1 |
| 1/28 at Hollidaysburg | 53-55 | 14-2 |
| 1/30 CENTRAL CAMBRIA | 78-38 | 15-2 |
| 1/31 at Brookville | 62-56 | 16-2 |
| 2/4 HUNTINGDON | 63-54 | 17-2 |
| 2/5 at Philipsburg-Osceola | 65-36 | 18-2 |
| 2/9 PENNS VALLEY | Â | Â |
| 2/10 PUNXSUTAWNEY (7:15 p.m.) | Â | Â |
