Falcons sweep tournament

Coudersport's Blair Heimel was the picture of determination as he went up against Union's Gary Cooper for the game-winner during overtime of the Falcons' 52-50 win in the holiday tournament finale. Paul Burdick photo

A buzzer-beater at the end of overtime brought the Coudersport Holiday Basketball Tournament to a thrilling conclusion, polishing off a sweep by the host teams.

Blair Heimel took an inbound pass in the final seconds and dropped in a lay-up that gave the Falcon boys a 52-50 OT win over the Union High School Knights. Coach Chris Fink bounded

from the bench to embrace the tall junior while Union's coaches pleaded in vain with the game officials to rule that time had expired before Heimel's game-winner was launched.

"Our kids showed a lot of heart," said a jubilant Fink.

John Hau, also a junior, teamed with Heimel to offset Union's two big men, Gary Cooper and A. J. Ethridge. Hau delivered 20 points and had 11 rebounds. Heimel finished with 16 points, 10 rebounds and six blocks.

Colton Corey and Derek Burdick, also juniors, delivered important baskets in the fourth quarter as Coudersport bounced back from a sevenpoint deficit.

Judges had a hard time deciding which players were deserving of honors after the Coudersport Holiday Tournament. Among the selections were: (upper, from left) Derek Burdick, Outstanding Defensive Player; Colton Corey, All- Tournament Team; A. J. Ethridge, All-Tournament Team; Gary Cooper, Outstanding Offensive Player; Blair Heimel, All- Tournament Team; and Derek Erway, All- Tournament Team; (lower photo) Kristy Kamper, Outstanding Defensive Player; Hope Morris, All- Tournament Team; Jessica Wilson, Outstanding Offensive Player; Nikki Thompson and Brittany Rounds, both All-Tournament Team.

In the girls' championship game, Coudersport switched its defense after Northern Potter was able to break a press in the first quarter, sparking a 15- point run that lifted the Falcons to a 34-18 halftime lead. Another scoring flurry after the intermission removed all doubt and Coudersport coasted to a 58-31 win.

Jessica Wilson finished with 18 points and 12 rebounds. Kelly McVay added 10 points, while Kristy Kamper (11 rebounds, 5 assists) and Karli Duffee each had nine points.

Paul Burdick photos

Opening round

In the opening round, Coudersport's boys survived a three-point assault from Cowanesque Valley to pull away late for a 60-49 win. Heimel (16), Corey (14), Hau (14) and Burdick (13) carried the scoring load. Union slipped past Northern Potter's boys, 74-72.

Coudersport blanked Cowanesque Valley in the entire second half for a 65-9 win in the girls' division. Morris (14), Duffee (11), Kamper (11) and Wilson (10) were double-figure scorers despite limited floor time. Duffee canned a trio of threepointers.