Fink, Coudersport boys begin mission

Falcon head coch Chris Fink gives Derek Burdick a congratulatory embrace. Fink and the Falcons again won the Northern Tier League title. But after polishing off a perfect campaign, they have their sights set high- on a District 9 championship.

Chris Fink would like to go out a winner.

In his eight seasons as boys' basketball coach at his alma mater, Fink has won numerous Northern Tier League titles.

But a PIAA District 9 championship has eluded Fink and his Coudersport Falcons.

On Saturday night, the team will set out to rectify that by opening the playoff run with a home game.

At 24-0, Coudersport has earned the top seed among 14 teams vying for the Class A title. A win on Saturday would send the Falcons up against defending D9 champion Elk County Catholic next Monday or Tuesday. That winner moves into the title game Thursday night at Clarion University.

Coudersport has posted a record of 113-13 overall since 2004. The Falcons are led in scoring by the senior quartet of Blair Heimel (20.1 ppg), John Hau (17.0), Colton Corey (10.2), Derek Burdick (8.4). Hau has seen limited playing time in recent weeks since tearing his ACL.

A tough man-to-man defense keyed the Falcons' success. The offense is based on the height of Heimel (6-6) and Hau (6-4), complemented by the outside shooting and passing skills of Burdick and Corey.

Elk County Catholic has ended Coudersport's bid for a District 9 crown in each of the last three seasons. ECC has won four straight Class A titles and 15 of the last 21.