Falcon boys meet DCC Saturday

Red Raider Jordan Crane was sandwiched between Colton Corey (foreground) and Drew Levavasseur as Daniel Sullivan (4) controlled the ball in Friday's game at Coudersport. Paul Burdick photo

State champion Elk County Catholic bounced back after trailing for most of the first half to defeat Coudersport, 68-48, in the District 9 boys' basketball semifinals Wednesday at Clarion University.

Coudersport, 23-2, returns to action back at Clarion Saturday afternoon (12:30) against DuBois Central Catholic.

Both of those teams play again next Friday night in the 32-team state tournament. If the Falcons win, they meet the top seed from District 10 (Kennedy Catholic or West Middlesex). Saturday's loser meets the top-ranked team from District 7 (California or Leechburg).

The Crusaders found themselves tied 31-31 at halftime with Coudersport. Junior big man Blair Heimel scored 11 of his team-high 17 points in the first half while also grabbing eight rebounds. But Heimel also got into deep foul trouble and sat for most of the second quarter.

"Heimel getting into foul trouble was big," Elk coach Aaron Straub said. "I don't know if we stop him if he doesn't. He played very well. We didn't have an answer for him."

Another junior, Colton Corey, stepped up to help the Falcons stay even at the break.

Jesse Bosnik led all scorers with 20 points for ECC, to go with his 10 assists.

Coudersport (48): Heimel 7-3- 4-17, Corey 6-0-1-12, John Hau 4- 2-3-10, Derek Burdick 2-1-3-6, Drew Levavasseur 1-0-0-2, Nate Minor 1-0-0-2, Eric Babcock 0-0- 0-0, Justen Kinder 0-0-0 -0, Logan Hathaway 0-0-0-0, Joe Gerhart 0-0- 0 0, Kody Frederick 0-0-0-0. Totals 21 6-11 48.

Elk County Catholic (68): Bosnik 5-9-11-20, Jimmy Higgins 7-2-3-16, Josh Saulter 5-0-0-13, Kiel Nissel 5-0-0-11, Jablonski 0- 0-0-0, Fritz 1-0-0-3, Agosti 0-2-2- 2, Meholic 1-1-2-3, Wortman 0-0- 0-0, Mastrogiacomo 0 -0-0-0, Detsch 0-0-0-0, Crowe 0-0-0-0, Garner 0-0-0-0, N. Higgins 0-0-0- 0. Totals 24 14-18 68.