OGEMAW HEIGHTS - Jan. 4, 2008 - A lot was expected from Friday's showdown between the North East Michigan Conference's last two unbeaten teams.

Ogemaw Heights and Tawas Area, both 2-0 in league play heading into the game, certainly delivered in the entertainment category for the packed house that witnessed the Falcons' 59-53 victory.

Of course, only the Falcon faithful really left the gym happy, but no one could argue they didn't get their money's worth.

"That was what high school basketball is all about," said Ogemaw coach Jon VanOosten. "I thought both teams played well. That was fun, but it's always more fun when you win a game like that."

In order for it to be a game at all, the Falcons needed to regain the intensity they'd lacked in their loss at Gladwin in the finals of the Flying G's Christmas tournament last week.  There was no lack of intensity with either squad, and it started with Ogemaw's Pete VanOosten, who overcame a bum shoulder and some in-your-jersey defense from the Braves' Henri Ikonen, to score 24 points.

"Pete works extremely hard," said Tawas coach Todd Kaems. "Defensively we did everything we could to stop him. He just works so hard; he reminds me of watching (the Pistons') Rip Hamilton."

VanOosten had several key baskets in the third quarter, when the Falcons overcame a 35-30 Tawas lead to go into the fourth ahead 45-39.

Tawas cut it to 47-44 early in the fourth, but got six points from Kyle Dantzer during a 9-2 run that gave the Falcons a 56-46 lead with 1:30 to play.

"Kyle did a nice job on the interior," Jon VanOosten said. "He's a real competitor, as we've all seen from the way he played soccer this fall. He's come so far since seventh and eighth grade, he's probably worked harder than anyone on the team to get where he's at."

The Falcons were off an running in the first quarter as Rick Dodridge drilled a trey and a long two-pointer for a 5-0 lead. But Tawas turned the tables in a hurry as Tom Pinkerton converted 3-point play and Jesse Siwek and Phil Barnes hit back-to-back triples to make it 9-5.

Tawas went on to lead through most of the first half, briefly building the margin to eight late in the opening quarter.

"Offensively that was the best quarter we've played this year," Kaems said. "Then it kind of went south. Our shooting woes continue and we're still turning the ball over too much."

The Falcons caught Tawas in the final seconds of the half as the Braves missed five straight free throws and Gio Roberto lobbed in the tie-breaking basket over seven-foot Luke Adaline.

Tawas opened the third quarter with a quick seven-point run for a 35-30 lead before the Falcons recovered.

Dodridge finished with 12 points and Dantzer added 11 for the Falcons, who improved to 6-1 (3-0 NEMC). Siwek scored 14, Pinkerton had 13 and Barnes 11 for the Braves (3-2, 2-1). Ogemaw next plays at Alpena on Tuesday while Tawas travels to Alcona on Wednesday.