Raiders, Falcons on collision course

Cameron County’s Jason Blose has the upper hand in the battle for the basketball with Coudersport’s Jason Gibson (left) and others. The two teams meet Monday night in Emporium for a critical Northern Tier League game. Paul Burdick photos With Coudersport due in Emporium on Monday night, Cameron County needed a win against visiting Port Allegany this week to regain some momentum and stay on course for the Northern Tier Boys’ Basketball League championship.

With Jason Blose continuing his strong play, the Red Raiders rallied from behind in the third quarter and held on for a 48-40 win. Blose scored 20 points and pulled down 11 rebounds. Chris Barnett added 11 points, including six from the foul line. Trevor Johnson contributed nine points. Andrew Sestina and Jake Brown each grabbed six rebounds.

Coudersport, warming up for Monday’s showdown, stayed within one game of the league leaders with a 62-30 win at Austin. Tim McCusker (11), Andrew Mickle (10), Kevin Wolfinger (9) and Jayme Wilcox (8) led a balanced scoring attack.

For more than 30 years, Bill Howard has been tooting the whistle as a high school and collegiate basketball official. He has been active in the Northern Alleghenies Chapter of Basketball Officials. With the veteran referees looking to hang it up, the chapter is recruiting new officials. More information is available from Pick Zimbardi at 598-3314 or Brian Nolan at 697-6343. Otto-Eldred dealt Cameron County is first NTL defeat last Thursday in Duke Center, 56-52, thanks in large part to a barrage of three-pointers followed by strong foul-shooting down the stretch. Ryan Grimm led the Raiders with 19 points, while Blose scored 16 and Barnett added 10.

Jason Gibson tossed in nine of his game-high 15 points from the foul line as Coudersport edged visiting Smethport, 49-43. McCusker added nine points and Dave Dupont and Mickle tallied eight apiece.

After Monday’s clash, Cameron County has a home game against Austin on Thursday, while Coudersport has a home game with Northern Potter.

League standings: Cameron County 8-1, Coudersport 7-2, Oswayo Valley 6-2, Smethport 6-3, Port Allegany 3-5, Otto-Eldred 3-6, Northern Potter 1-7, Austin 0-8.