Thriller in NTL boys opener

If Thursday night's season openers are any indication, this year's Northern Tier Boys' High School Basketball race could be a doozy.

Two of the league's better teams met up at Port Allegany, where a combination of tight defense and two deliberate offensive styles resulted in one of the lowest-scoring NTL games ever. Cameron County (6-2) came away with a thrilling 38-36 victory.

Cameron grabbed the early momentum, only to see the Gators (8-3) come back to draw within a point, 18-17, at the intermission. The hosts carried a lead into the final stanza before the Red Raiders came alive and pulled out the win.

"To its credit, Cameron County got the job done down the stretch," said Gator coach Bob Raudenbush.

Jordan Crane hit a pair of three-pointers and finished with 12 points to lead CC. Daniel Sullivan added 10.

In other openers, Northern Potter (9-2) barely escaped from Smethport (4-7) with a 39-37 win. Coudersport (11-0) rolled over Austin (0-11), 65- 16. Otto-Eldred beat Oswayo Valley, 60-40.

Standings: Coudersport 1-0, Cameron County 1-0, Otto-Eldred 1-0, Northern Potter 1-0, Port Allegany 0-1, Austin 0-1, Smethport 0-1, Oswayo Valley 0-1.

Friday: Port Allegany at Austin,

Saturday: Cameron County at Otto-Eldred, Coudersport at Smethport, Oswayo Valley at Northern Potter

Tuesday: Cameron County at Coudersport, Austin at Northern Potter, Oswayo Valley at Port Allegany, Smethport at Otto-Eldred.

Thursday: Cameron County at Northern Potter, Coudersport at Oswayo Valley, Otto-Eldred at Austin, Port Allegany at Smethport.