BRADFORD — Coudersport shut out Otto-Eldred in the first quarter and used two double-digit quarters in the second half to guarantee the win, claiming the North Tier League title Friday 46-27.
“We played great tonight. We have been waiting for that all season. So we’ve been coming in strong into playoffs here, and I think we are ready to go for next week,” Coudersport coach Tori Brown said. “Macie Popchak is our defensive wizard so she kept us going all night. Laney Stimmaker played well. Also off the bench, Ella Wahlers was doing a great job for us tonight too — bringing the ball up the floor.”
The Lady Falcons opened the scoring with a three from Emilee Ruter with 4:10 left in the first quarter. Two baskets from Olivia Fink and a three from Laney Stimmaker put Coudy up 10-0 as the first quarter ended.
O-E’s Addie Bell sank a three to put the Lady Terrors on the board early in the second quarter, and a basket from Jahden Smith on a rebound cut the Coudersport lead to five.
Scoring was even for the remainder of the second quarter, but Coudersport took a 19-11 lead off the court at the half.
The Lady Falcons opened the second half with a four-point run before O-E answered with a basket from Carrie Drummond. WIth Coudersport leading 24-13, Drummond sank a three, which was answered by Funk. Drummond sank another three to cut the Coudersport lead to seven, but the Lady Falcons sank three more baskets before the clock ran out on the third, giving them a 32-19 lead.
“Olivia Fink, as always, dominated inside. She’s been the key to our success this season, when she’s going strong inside, we’ve had great success. Emily Ruter’s always cleaning up from the perimeter, and she shot really well tonight,” Brown said.
Coudersport also posted 14 points in the fourth quarter, compared to O-E’s eight, to stay just out of reach and take home the title.
Otto-Eldred took both matchups during the regular season, but failed to win when it mattered most against the Lady Falcons. Each team will now turn their attention to the District 9 1A playoffs. Otto-Eldred will host Northern Potter in the first round while Coudy will host Oswayo Valley, both at 7 p.m. on Thursday.
AT BRADFORD
COUDERSPORT (46)
Popchak 1-0-0-2, Fox 1-0-0-2, Stimmaker 4-0-0-10, Emilee Ruter 5-0-0-14, Wahlers 1-0-0-2, Olivia Fink 7-0-0-14, Dunn 1-0-0-2. Totals 20-0-0-46.
OTTO-ELDRED (27)
Bell 2-0-0-5, Drummond 5-0-0-14, Hakes 1-0-0-2, Van Scoter 0-0-2-0, Francis 0-2-4-2, Smith 2-0-0-4. Totals 10-2-6-27.
Coudersport 10 9 13 14
Otto-Eldred 0 11 8 8
Three-Point Goals: Coudy 6 (Ruter 4, Stimmaker 2); O-E 5 (Drummond 4, Bell 1). Total Fouls: Coudy 9, O-E 2.
