Coudersport boys: is this the year?
Falcons eyeing PIAA District 9 crown

These three seniors from the undefeated Coudersport Falcons have stepped up their games while teammate John Hau rests an ailing knee. Shown are Colton Corey (lower), Blair Heimel (left) and Derek Burdick. After a make-up game at Port Allegany Friday night, the Falcons have a week off before they host a District 9 playoff game next Friday against either Johnsonburg or Union. Paul Burdick photos

This could be the year.

Coudersport has been hungering for a PIAA District 9 boys' basketball championship for more than a decade.

At 23-0, the Falcons hope to polish off a perfect regular season Friday night in a makeup game at Port Allegany, and then spend the next week preparing for their D9 playoff opener. They'll host the winner of Tuesday night's Johnsonburg (11-11) at Union (16- 7) game. A win there sends the Falcons into the semifinals and a potential rematch with their long-time nemesis, Elk County Catholic (19-3).

Elk CC has denied the Fal- cons several district titles over the years. The last time Coudersport won one was 1996. Before that, it was the great team of 1964, which played all the way into the state championship game.

Coudersport coach Chris Fink, who was a member of one of those teams that fell to Elk CC and coached two others, would like nothing better than to knock off the Crusaders in his eighth and final year at the helm.

Fink, whose record stands at 179-44, paid tribute to his seniors - Blair Heimel, Derek Burdick, John Hau, Colton Corey and Justen Kinder -- Thursday night as the Falcons rolled to a 67-28 win over visiting Otto-Eldred.

"Every one of these boys has a great love for the game, which has driven them to play basketball year-'round, resulting in the level of talent we've seen this season," Fink said. "They play so unselfishly at times that I sometimes have to tell them to stop 'overpassing' and start shooting.'

Hau sat out his second straight game Thursday to rest a knee injury for the playoffs. Heimel picked up the slack by scoring 28 points to go with 15 rebounds and six blocks.

Corey continued his late- season surge with 12 points and eight rebounds. Burdick scored nine points and had seven assists.

Coudersport held the Terrors (11-12) to just two offensive rebounds and held an overall 39-15 edge on the boards.

The Falcons were coming off an 84-44 win at Northern Potter on Tuesday. Heimel scored 26 points and had 12 rebounds. Corey (20) and Burdick (15) each buried four three-pointers.

"Our outside shooting has improved a lot as the season has progressed," Fink said. "It should prevent teams from jamming the inside trying to control our big guys."