It's D9 basketball playoff time!

Playoff time is nearing for six of the eight teams in the Northern Tier Girls' High School Basketball League. At left, Cameron County's Lacey Feldbauer faces pressure from Coudersport freshman Maureen McCusker. Above, Falcon Karli Duffee (12) applies the heat on Red Raider Bethany Dunsmore. Cameron County will be the underdog in Tuesday night's playoff opener at Union. Meanwhile, top-seeded Couderport has a bye in the first round. The Falcons will have a home game late next week (date to be determined) against either Austin or Keystone. Coach Dick Logue's Austin Panthers travel to Keystone on Tuesday night. Paul Burdick photos

There's a crowded field in the District 9 high school basketball playoffs, but the field will winnow very quickly next Tuesday and Wednesday nights. Coudersport and Cameron County will enter both their boys' and girls' teams in the playoffs.

Girls' competition in a 15- team field gets underway next Tuesday night at 7:00 with these games: Cameron County (8-15) at Union (20- 3), Austin (15-8) at Keystone (15-8), Clarion (11-12) at Northern Potter (17-6), Otto- Eldred (11-12) at Clarion- Limestone (17-6), East Forest (11-12) at Smethport (18-6), DuBois Central Catholic (11- 11) at West Forest (16-6), and Johnsonburg (10-11) at Elk County Catholic (17-5).

Coudersport's girls (23-1) will swing into action late next week - either Thursday or Friday - on the home floor against the winner of the Austin at Keystone game.

In the boys' division, the playoffs will kick off next Wednesday with these 7:00 p.m. games: Curwensville (13-9) at Cameron County (17-6), Northern Potter (8-16) at Clarion (17-6), A-C Valley (14-8) at Johnsonburg (15-8), and North Clarion (14-8) at Rocky Grove (16-7).

Coudersport's boys will open the District 9 playoffs on Friday night (7:00) at home against the winner of Wednesday's Curwensville versus Cameron County game.

Coudersport (22-1) joined DuBois Central Catholic (21-1), Keystone (20-1) and defending state champion Elk County Catholic (22-1) in receiving a first-round bye. The winner of Friday's night's game in Coudersport will likely run head-on into the Elk County Catholic Crusaders in the District 9 semifinals.