Clarion Bobcats
Head coach: Scott Fox (Was the District 9 Coach of the Year in 2019-2020 in his first year at Clarion)
2019-20 Record: 17-10
Playoffs: Beat Karns City, 54-48, in the District 9 Class 2A quarterfinals; Beat Keystone, 54-50, in District 9 Class 2A semifinals; Lost to Ridgway, 41-32, in District 9 Class 2A championship game; Beat Winchester Thurston, 49-44, in PIAA Class 1A first round; Lost to Bishop Guilfoyle, 66-47, in PIAA Class 2A second round
Top returning players: Cal German (Sr., G, 20.6 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 4.0 apg, 3.0 spg, Shot 45 percent from the field and 84 percent from the free-throw line; 1,144 career points; Preseason D9and10Sports.com All-District 9; 2nd team All-District 9 in 2019-2020), Hunter Craddock (Sr., F, 7.6 ppg), Beau Verdill (Sr., G/F, 3.4 ppg), Christian Simko (Jr., G/F, 1.9 ppg), Ethan Burford (Sr., G, Missed all of last year with an injury; Scored 21 points as a sophomore), Don Cunningham (Sr., Missed last year with an injury; Scored 11 points as a sophomore)
Top players lost: Josh Craig (5.9 ppg), Nick Frederick (10.0 ppg), Skylar Rhoades (6.5 ppg)
Key newcomers: Aidan Quinn (Jr., G), Ryan Alston (Jr., G), Dawson Smail (Fr., G), Gabe Simko (Fr., F)
Keys to the season: Build on the success from the end of last year … Hold teams to under 44 points per game … Play together as a team and continue to build team chemistry.
Things your team is doing during the COVID-19 pause of winter sports: The kids have been playing/conditioning on their own. The biggest key is coming back after not practicing for three weeks with the same intensity we has when we left. Continuing to condition due to playing with masks.
