The Bradford Owls and Coudersport Falcons will be part of a
basketball doubleheader tonight at the University of Pittsburgh at
Bradford.

The District 9 Class AAA Owls (16-9) will play Blackhawk (13-14)
in the first round of the PIAA playoffs at 6 o’clock. Coudersport
(24-3) meets Villa Maria (19-8) at 8 o’clock in a Class A
contest.

Bradford defeated Punxsutawney on Saturday to win the district
crown.

“Our kids are coming off one of their best games of the season
in the District 9 championship game,” BAHS coach Dave Fuhrman
noted. “If we play like we did Saturday we’ll have a great shot to
win.”

Fuhrman said Blackhawk’s record is deceiving.

“They have played in a tough section with Moon and Hopewell,”
Fuhrman pointed out. “They have played McKeesport and Aliquippa.
They have played a lot of good schools.”

Blackhawk is led by guard Josh Gumbert (18 ppg), 6-4 sophomore
Antoine Childs (16 ppg) and 6-0 guard Nick Cron (14 ppg).

“Gumbert is a good, solid player. He can shoot the three,”
Fuhrman declared. “Childs is a good leaper and Cron is their
third-best player.

“Those are three solid double-digit scorers. They are not a big
team. They are not very deep – they only play about six guys.

“They are quick, but they do not fast break a lot. They are a
very patterned team. They run a lot of set plays, use a man-to-man
defense and some 1-2 zone. In addition, they will trap out of those
zones.”

Blackhawk is coached by first-year mentor Andy Hedrick.

Fuhrman said the Owls should have some momentum going into the
game.

“We got a break playing in our backyard,” Fuhrman said. “We
should have a great crowd and a great atmosphere. We will be
prepared for what they throw at us.”

Coudersport will try to rebound from Saturday’s loss in the
Class A title game when it plays Villa Maria.

In other Class A action today, Elk County Catholic (28-0) will
play Leechburg (12-10) at 7:30 p.m. at Clarion University in their
first-round game. Meantime, the Ridgway Elkers (19-9) face Duquesne
(17-11) at North Hills High School at 6 p.m.

On Saturday, three area Class A girls teams will be in action –
Coudersport, Port Allegany and Elk County Catholic. Coudy (24-2)
will play Saegertown (22-4) at St. Marys High School at noon,
Conemaugh Valley (26-2) plays Port Allegany (22-6) at Central
Cambria High School in Ebensburg at 1 p.m. and Elk County Catholic
(24-3) battles Serra Catholic (23-4) at Ambridge High School at
1:30 p.m.