Falcons sweep holiday tourney
Coudy teams serve notice

Coudersport swept both ends of the school's annual holiday basketball tournament, with Northern Potter as the victim in each of the title games.

Seniors Blair Heimel and John Hau combined for 50 points and 26 rebounds in the Falcon boys' 74-57 win, giving Coudersport a 10-0 record. Colton Corey added 14 points and Derek Burdick led a determined defense.

"This one was a little too close for comfort," said Falcon coach Chris Fink, as he saw his team nurse a slender 50-47 lead into the final quarter. "The McCaslin kid found a way to get some open looks and was really hurting us. I was wondering how we would respond to the pressure and I thought the boys did real well down the stretch."

He was referring to Northern Potter senior guard Kal McCaslin, who nailed a trio of three-pointers and finished with 23 points.

Heimel ruled the first half, scoring 18 of his game-high 26 points to lead the hosts to a 38-26 advantage at the break. Hau took over in the fourth quarter, scoring 12 of his 24 points.

Coudersport finished with a 42-24 edge in rebounds, led by Heimel (16) and Hau (10).

In the tournament opener, the Falcons ran all over Cowanesque Valley, 88-35. Top scorers were Heimel (24), Hau (19), Corey (10) and Burdick (10).

In the girls' division, former Northern Potter coach Brian Green saw his Falcons roll over the Panthers, 55-33. Coudersport's defense gave Northern Potter fits, allowing just five baskets in the first half while rolling to a 30-11 lead.

Senior Kristy Kamper was an offensive force for the hosts, tallying 15 first-half points and 24 overall. Kayla Bohn added nine, while Jessica Wilson and Kelly McVay scored seven each.

In Thursday's opener, Coudersport's girls exploded for a 21-3 first quarter lead on their way to a 66-21 win over Cowanesque Valley. Karli Duffee (10) led a well-balanced Falcon scoring attack, while the hosts' defense befuddled the outmatched Indians (30 turnovers).