Falcon girls tested, but still unbeaten

Depth was a concern coming into the season for perennial Northern Tier Girls’ Basketball League power Coudersport.

With 40 percent of his starting lineup ailing, coach Brian Green has been forced to tap into the younger generation to fill the gap at the same time he asks his more experienced players to step up.

That was a prescription for success Tuesday night as the Falcons (12-4), still unbeaten in league play, pulled away after a first half stalemate to defeat visiting Austin, 49-36.

Jenna Matzinger blistered the nets for 23 points, including a trio of three-pointers, while Hannah Fink played a solid game in the frontcourt and finished with 12 points..

Green pointed to contributions from three youngsters, Kayla Gleason, Taylor Green and Amanda Morey, as key factors in the second half rally.

He knows he is without leading scorer D. J. Cowburn for the remainder of the season, and most recently Maureen McCusker, a solid all-around performer, has been sidelined with a knee injury.

Austin was led by Katelyn Valenti, who sank nine free throws, and Melissa Ritsick, with eight points.

In other Tuesday action, Cameron County (7-10) fell into a deep hole in the first half on its way to a 47-33 defeat at Port Allegany. The Gators led 12-1 at the end of the first quarter and 27-8 at the break. Brooke Dunsmore led the Red Raiders with nine points.

Last Friday, winless Smethport gave visiting Coudersport a scare before falling, 43-33. Tori Brown connected on four treys and scored a game-high 14 points, while Matzinger tallied nine.

Austin (9-8) fell behind by 13 points at the half and could not recover in a 53-37 loss at Port Allegany, despite 10 points from Valenti and nine apiece from Emily Wambaugh and Brandi Kio.

Otto-Eldred shot out to a 17-0 lead and came away with a 59-48 win at Cameron County. Kelsey Caton and Lauren Topolski each scored 10 points for the Red Raiders.

Coudersport is back in action Saturday in a non-league game at Troy (3:30), followed by a home game with Cameron County on Tuesday and a trip to Northern Potter on Friday.

Austin goes to Northern Potter on Tuesday and hosts Cameron County on Friday.

League Standings: Coudersport 9-0, Otto-Eldred 7-2, Port Allegany 7-2, Cameron County 5-4, Austin 3-6, Northern Potter 3-6, Oswayo Valley 2-7, Smethport 0-9.