OGEMAW HEIGHTS - Nov. 2, 2006 - Tawas Area earned the victory at Ogemaw Heights on Thursday, but the Falcons sent a message to its future district tournament opponents that they are not a team to be look past next week. The Braves held on for a 48-38 victory, but only after Ogemaw trimmed what had been a 19-point third quarter lead down to two with four minutes to play.

"At times we looked great," said Tawas coach Todd Kaems. "For eight minutes, though, Ogemaw dominated the game and made us look bad. That stretch almost cost us the game."

Tawas opened up a 21-point lead in the first half before Ogemaw trimmed it to 27-15 at the break. The Braves seemed to have a comfortable lead after scoring the first seven points of the third quarter, but, as Ogemaw coach Tim Hansen said, "We settled down and played really well."

Seven Falcons scored during a 21-4 run that cut it to 38-36, led by Renee Wangler's eight points and Jamie Lucas' six during the run.

Tawas responded with an offensive rebound-putback by Hope Kolts, a fast-break bucket from Michelle Revord off a touch pass from Rachel Adaline, and a pair of 3-pointers from sophomore Gina Gerow in her first varsity game to make it 48-36.

Kaems added that Lisa Newenhouse played a key role in the Tawas win.

"(Newenhouse) only scored two points, but I thought she played her best game of the year," he said. "She brought a ton of energy and grabbed every rebound that came near her."

Tawas (15-3, 8-2 NEMC) closes the season with home games against Oscoda on Tuesday, and a second-place showdown with Standish-Sterling Thursday, Nov. 9. Ogemaw (9-9, 5-5) travels to John Glenn on Tuesday and hosts Whittemore-Prescott on Thursday.