Falcons boys dodge bullet at Wellsboro

Senior guard Derek Burdick goes high for a lay-up during Thursday's game at Wellsboro. Coudersport eked out a 53-51 win to set the stage for Friday's clash with visiting St. Marys Public. Junior varsity action starts at 6 pm and the varsity game follows at about 7:30.

Coudersport faces a big test in the early boys' basketball season Friday night, when St. Marys Public comes to town for a game not listed on the school's original schedule. It was added last week after the St. Marys Tournament, originally scheduled Dec. 13- 14, was scrapped.

Coudersport's boys escaped from Wellsboro with a hardfought 53-51 win Thursday to improve to 2-0.

Blair Heimel scored 15 of his team-high 17 points through the final three quarters. He and Derek Burdick delivered some key baskets down the stretch after teammate John Hau fouled out. Burdick hit all three of his three-pointers after the intermission.

Hau finished with 14 points. Heimel pulled down 12 rebounds. Burdick and Colton Corey tallied nine points apiece and played tough defense during a furious fourth quarter.

Wellsboro took advantage of Coudersport's sluggish play to open up a 14-9 lead after one period. The Falcons cut the gap to 28-26 by the break.

There were eight lead changes in the second half before Coudersport put it away with a key defensive rebound and conversion on the other end by Heimel.

Junior Jake Coolidge led Wellsboro with 21 points.

In Friday's season opener, Heimel and Burdick saw limited floor time due to fouls, but Hau stepped up in Coudersport's 76-47 win over visiting Portville.

Hau had 21 points and Heimel scored 14. The pair combined for 17 rebounds. Corey added 12 points. Burdick canned a pair of threepointers and Brett Whitman tallied eight points.

After Friday's home game with St. Marys, Coudersport has a busy week on the road. The Falcons travel to Cowanesque Valley on Tuesday, Portville on Wednesday and St. Marys Public next Friday.