By Kenny Varner

BELLEFONTE – Wednesday night, Clearfield brought its veteran girls basketball squad to the Bellefonte gym to battle a young up-and-coming Red Raiders team in Laurel Highlands action.

Things started well in the beginning as the Lady Raiders trailed only 7-4 for half the first quarter.

But as the period rolled on, so did the Bison offense as it ended the contest with the 71-18 victory over the young Bellefonte squad.

“We made some pretty crucial mistakes like passing. We struggled breaking their half court press,” said Bellefonte coach Marissa Ward. “I thought we played more aggressive in the second half. Obviously wish things would have went a little difference but I am happy with the aggressiveness.”

In the first quarter, Clearfield went right to work when Mia Helsel hit a shot from beyond the three-point line.

On the following Bellefonte possession the Bison defense got the ball and sent it to Mia Helsel for the lay-up, making it 5-0.

Bellefonte scored its first bucket on an offensive putback at the 6:46 mark.

The Red Raiders connected on back-to-back buckets to cut the Bison lead to one. Battling through traffic, Talia Cotter muscled her way in for a hard bucket.

From there, Clearfield’s defense made a strong statement by clamping down on the Bellefonte offense.

The Bison proceeded to extend its lead to 20-0 run to end the first quarter. Leading the scoring for Clearfield was Mia Helsel with 10.

Leading the way for the Boson was Mia Helsel with a game-high 23 points. Teammate Eva Helsel added 21 in the victory.

Sonny Diehl finished her night with a double-double with 15 points and 16 rebounds.

Bellefonte were led by Addie Herr and Cotter with four points each.

Things continued to be a learning experience for Bellefonte as they were outscored 29-6 in the second.

Scoring for Bellefonte in the period was Ella Herr, Addie Herr and Hannah Sampsel.

When the buzzer sounded ending the first half, Clearfield made it a  54-10 advantage.

At the beginning of the second half the game went in to a “Mercy Rule”

status.

However, the Lady Raiders went toe-to-toe with the Bison in the period. Clearfield outscored Bellefonte by one two points 8-6 in the period.

The Bellefonte squad continued to battle, refusing to give up.

However, it would be too little too late as they found themselves outscored 9-2 to end the contest at 71-18.

Clearfield  71, Bellefonte 18

CL 25 29 8 9 – 72

BE   4   6  6 2 – 18

Scoring: CL –   Sonny Diehl 5 5-6 15, Eve Helsel 9 2-4 21, Hannah Glunt 0 3-6 3, Mia Helsel 8 3-4 23, Myleigh Hudson 2 0-0 5, Elia Erilsizer 2 0-0 4. Totals 26 13-20 71. BE –   Taylor Brown 1 0-0 2, Talia Cotter 2 0-0 4, Riley Santostefano 1 1-2 3, Hannah Sampsel 1 0-0 2, Addie Herr 2 0-0 4, Ella Herr 1 0-0 2, Lexi Fravel 0 1-2 1. Totals 8 2-4 18.

Played but didn’t score: CL – Alyssa Natoli 0 0-0 0. BE – Jaylee Loht 0 0-0 0, Gigi Jassen 0 0-0 0.

Three-point shots: CL – Eve Helsel, MIA Helsel  4, Hudson. BE – None.