Bison Cagers poised to return to District IX title – GantNews.com

As the previous season came to an end, the Clearfield Bison had a much different feel than they were used to in previous years. At the final whistle, it was the Punxsutawney Chucks who made it to the District IX championship, stopping a run of nine title appearances and victories for the Bison.

At the same time, the young team struggled in its first season in Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference competition. At the end of the season, the Bison finished with a record of 5-18, their first losing season under head coach Nate Glunt. It was a time that many were not used to, but now that time is over and a new year awaits us.

This year’s team has worked hard over the summer months to get back into shape and play Bison basketball, and with many returning lettermen with experience, this is an advantage the team can lean on.

What they have for the 2024-2025 season is a returning Braison Patrick, who led the team a year ago with 19 points per game and 46 percent shooting from the floor. His size and ability to penetrate the paint will 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 is again the leader in assists with 2.3 per game a year ago, while Patrick averaged just under four rebounds per game.

Playing along the boards was difficult 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 spent a lot of time on the field last season. Kam Kushner, Kai Lynch and Jake Rumfola all had solid years on the junior varsity squad while also earning valuable minutes in the varsity game. All three are entering their final season on the Bison hardwood and are looking to play key roles in the starting lineup.

The advantage for Clearfield early in the season is that they have only lost two by the end.

Starter Anthony Lopez, who had a solid senior season on the court, and backup Braylen Way were the only seniors on the roster last year, providing excellent leadership for a young team. Meanwhile, the team still has a lot of youth, but also a lot of playing experience to fall back on.

It’s the Bison’s second year in the Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference and they’re hoping for more success than last season. Of the five wins last year, only three came in league play. Clearfield also struggled in non-league games, managing just 2-2, both wins coming against Curwensville. In order to both get back into the title hunt in the LHAC and have a shot at the District IX championship, the Bison must have a season like they did two years ago. This team has the potential to get back to this point and will need to come out with fast play and few turnovers to start the season on the right foot.

It wasn’t until the end of December that Clearfield achieved its first win of the year in 2023. Glunt, his employees and the team want to change that in the new season.

This new campaign will begin this Tuesday evening when the Bison take on the Central Dragons at 7:15 p.m. Clearfield’s first home game of the year will be on Monday, December 9th when they host 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

Second semester: Noah Rumfola, Aiden Millinder, Tanner Kasken

First semester: Elijah Glunt, Easton Maines, Brett Fletcher, Max Luzier, JT Strishock

Clearfield Bison Schedule 2024-2025
Unless otherwise noted, all varsity games begin at approximately 7:30 p.m.

DECEMBER: 3-in Central (7:15 p.m.), 6-in Greater Johnstown (7:15 p.m.), 9-BELLEFONTE, 13-in Bishop Guilfoyle (7:15 p.m.), 16-TYRONE, 19-in Hollidaysburg, 27- CURWENSVILLE

JANUARY: 3 – at Westmont Hilltop (6 p.m. non-JV), 6 – HUNTINGDON, 8 – at Philipsburg-Osceola, 10 – BELLWOOD ANTIS, 15 – at Penns Valley, 17 – at Bedford (6 p.m. non-JV), 20 -WEST BRANCH ( 7 p.m.), 22-BILD EAGLE AREA, 29-CENTRAL, 31-RICHLAND (18 clock without JV)

FEBRUARY: 4 – DUBOIS CENTRAL CATHOLIC, 5 – in Bellefonte, 7 – BISHOP GUILFOYLE, 10 – in Tyrone, 12 – in Curwensville