Pete VanOosten scored 26 points in less than one half of action as Ogemaw Heights rolled past Oscoda in Monday's district tournament opener.
Oscoda's Jason Jimenez looks for space to maneuver in the first half of Monday's game.
Brent Baker
Dee DesJarden's circus shot at the buzzer capped a night when everything when right for Ogemaw Heights.

HOUGHTON LAKE - Feb. 25, 2008 - In the kind of performance that should give the rest of the district teams plenty of food for thought, Ogemaw Heights played a nearly flawless first quarter and put the hammer down on Oscoda Monday 72-39.

The Falcons, who beat the Owls 57-41 less than a week ago, exploded to a 26-4 lead after one quarter, forcing six turnovers and hitting four 3-pointers before the game was eight minutes old.

"We were hoping for a good start," said Falcon coach Jon VanOosten. "Fortunately, we did. We didn't have to overdo it with our starters, and we were able to give our younger players some tournament experience, which doesn't always happen."

The Falcons hit nine 3-pointers, including six by Pete VanOosten, who finished with a game-high 26 points while playing less than half the game.

"Sometimes you get the bear," said Oscoda coach Scott Lueck. "But usually, the bear gets you.

"They're a machine, what most teams hope to be. They do a lot well, plus they have a superstar and he was shining tonight."

The Owls came out with plenty of effort, but were quickly deflated as the Falcons took a 12-0 lead just three minutes in the game.

Jon VanOosten rotated his subs in starting late in the first quarter, with the starters coming out for good after Pete VanOosten hit three 3-pointers in a minute's span early in the third quarter to give Ogemaw a 52-12 lead.

Alex Jennings and Rick Dodridge added seven points apiece for Ogemaw, with Kyle Dantzer and Alex Rose each adding six.

The Falcons (17-4) take on Gladwin in Wednesday's 6 p.m. semifinal. The Flying G's handed the Falcons one of their four losses in a December tournament.

Mike Leveille led Oscoda (9-11) with eight points, with Adam Dettmer and Jason Jimenez adding seven apiece.

"I really enjoyed this group of seniors," Lueck said of his outgoing Owls. "They were good kids who were fun to coach."