SPRING MILLS — The last week of the regular season is not an easy one for anyone to handle, as it’s a signal that the year is coming to a close. Add in that a lot of the strongest teams are scheduled at the end, it also means it’s a competitive finish, especially if the post-season is near. The Clearfield Lady Bison are on the cusp of a playoff run, but before doing so, they have three more games to finish the schedule. Up first was a trip on Rt. 322 and I-99, as they headed to Spring Mills for a showdown with the Penns Valley Lady Rams.
Head coach Missy Helsel said before the game that it would be a tight battle, just as it always has been. Monday night was no different, as the two teams fought tooth and nail, clawing hard and neither giving in. At the end of 32 minutes, Clearfield managed to pull off the season sweep in a near identical final score. The first game between the two, the girls won 65-57. Penns Valley got closer, but the Lady Bison held on for a 65-60 win that was no easy task.
Both squads were going nearly shot for shot in the opening quarter, as Clearfield’s starting five kept the pressure on. Eight minutes in, the Lady Bison barely held a two-point lead, and knew that the rest of the game could be just as close.
That motivation launched a second quarter charge that would help put the game just out of reach.
Clearfield rocketed out thanks to young sophomore Eve Helsel, who drained 12 of the team’s 22 points in the quarter. Defensively, the girls kept the Lady Rams guessing, holding them to 15 points in the quarter, allowing Clearfield to hold onto a nine-point lead at the break.
While the younger of the two Helsels broke out in one quarter, consistency of senior Mia Helsel kept everyone going in the right direction. She would finish with a game-high 24 points, while also feeding her teammates to get their baskets.
Eve would double up on the night, securing 19 points plus 10 rebounds. Sonny Diehl continued to add to her dominant season, and career statistics, with an 18-point, 12-rebound performance.
Penns Valley would outscore Clearfield in the second half, 29-25, but the sluggish second quarter thwarted their chances to come back and stun the visitors.
There’s no rest for Clearfield (15-5) as they are back on the court Tuesday night, traveling for a non-league contest against Punxsutawney. Tip-off is at 7:15 p.m.
SCORE BY QUARTER
Clearfield 18 22 10 15 – 65
Penns Valley 16 15 16 13 – 60
Clearfield – 65
Sonny Diehl 8 2-3 18, Eve Helsel 7 3-3 19, Mia Helsel 9 1-2 24, Myleigh Hudson 1 0-0 3, Riley Cummings 0 0-0 0, Elia Evilsior 0 1-2 1. TOTALS 25 7-10 65.
Penns Valley – 60
Paige Johnson 5 4-6 14, Sydnie Dalton 2 2-2 6, Lilly Smith 4 0-0 9, Ellie Romig 5 0-0 12, Jordan Johnson 2 3-4 8, Elle Dinges 4 1-3 11. TOTALS 22 10-15 60.
Clearfield Lady Bison Scoreboard
| DATE AND OPPONENT | SCORE | RECORD |
| 12/3 at Hollidaysburg | 37-58 | 0-1 |
| 12/6 vs. St. Mary’s (Brockway Tip-Off Tournament) | 59-47 | 1-1 |
| 12/6 vs. Brockway (Brockway Tip-Off Tournament) | 79-34 | 2-1 |
| 12/10 HUNTINGDON | 71-54 | 3-1 |
| 12/12 at Philipsburg-Osceola (6:15 p.m.) | 41-18 | 4-1 |
| 12/17 PENNS VALLEY | 65-57 | 5-1 |
| 12/19 CHESTNUT RIDGE (6 p.m.) | PPD. | 5-1 |
| 12/22 at Bellwood-Antis | 51-73 | 5-2 |
| 1/5 CHESTNUT RIDGE (5 p.m.) | 64-38 | 6-2 |
| 1/7 BALD EAGLE AREA (6:30 p.m.) | 51-12 | 7-2 |
| 1/12 CENTRAL HIGH | 68-65 | 8-2 |
| 1/14 BELLEFONTE (6:30 p.m.) | 60-18 | 9-2Â |
| 1/16 at Forest Hills (6 p.m.) | 42-77 | 9-3 |
| 1/19 at Bishop Guilfoyle | 34-62 | 9-4 |
| 1/22 at Tyrone | 69-48 | 10-4 |
| 1/24 at Somerset (5 p.m.) | PPD. | 10-4 |
| 1/29 DUBOIS CATHOLIC | 67-36 | 11-4 |
| 1/30 CENTRAL CAMBRIA (6 p.m.) | 61-78 | 11-5 |
| 2/2 at Huntingdon | 72-58 | 12-5 |
| 2/5 PHILIPSBURG-OSCEOLA (6:15 p.m.) | 55-21 | 13-5 |
| 2/6 HOLLIDAYSBURG | 79-66 | 14-5 |
| 2/9 at Penns Valley | 65-60 | 15-5 |
| 2/10 at Punxsutawney (7:15 p.m.) | Â | Â |
| 2/14 at Somerset (1:15 p.m.) | Â | Â |
