The Falcons' Kaitlin (30) and Hanna Morrell double up on Oscoda's Heather Patterson during Ogemaw's 47-43 victory over the Owls.
Linda Eyer
Oscoda's Margaret Negro got popped in the eyes during Friday's contest, but still led her team in scoring with 11 points.

OGEMAW HEIGHTS - Jan. 18, 2008 -A week that saw some unpredictable girls basketball scores culminated Friday with Oscoda's near-upset of Ogemaw Heights, as the Falcons were pushed to the brink before holding on for a 47-43 victory.

It was a far different game than Ogemaw's 82-30 win in the teams' first meeting of the season. It also capped aa wild week in which the Falcons surprised Whittemore-Prescott, which two days later turned around and knocked off undefeated Tawas.

"We didn't show up to play; Oscoda was more focused and intense," said Ogemaw coach Tim Hansen. "They were scrapping and diving for loose balls and wanted to rebound more."

That was evident from the outset as Oscoda jumped to a 15-6 lead, forcing Ogemaw to come back with a 23-12 run in the second quarter just to take a two-point halftime lead. Colleen Wren scored all of her nine points in the quarter, with Keshia Allen and Ashley Thompson each adding seven before the half.

"I think Ogemaw may have looked past us a little bit and got surprised," said Oscoda coach Chris Manick. "They do have a good team and (Ashley Thompson) is a very good player.

"I just wish we could have had one game with them at home instead of playing them both times on the road."

The Owls, who gave up a home game so as to play a varsity boys-girls doubleheader at Ogemaw, fell behind by six points before both teams struggled through a fourth quarter in which a total of 10 points were scored.

"A couple of missed layups at the end may have tipped the scales in our favor," Manick said. "As I said at the beginning of the year, we will be up and down, but if we can bring it all together we are going to surprise some teams."

"I'm sure my girls overlooked them because of the first time we played," Hansen said. "In that game we couldn't do anything wrong and they couldn't do anything right. This time it was just the opposite. I give Oscoda a lot of credit, they played with heart."

Allen led the Falcons (5-6, 4-3 NEMC) with 15 points and four rebounds, with Thompson adding 11 points and four steals. Hanna Morrell also had four steals.

"That says something when a 5-4 guard is your leading rebounder," Hansen said. "We have to get tougher and more aggressive."

Margaret Negro led the Owls (2-11, 0-7) with 12 points, with Heather Patterson adding 10.

"We are getting better with each game," Manick said. "The Pinconning game was a setback, but we did alright against Tawas and Glenn. We are still learning how to play and the girls are learning more and more as each game comes. We are defending better and passing better.

"Our biggest struggle is shooting and player fundamentals. I know against Ogemaw we came in wanting to play better against their press and play strong defense. We're coming along slowly, but there is progress."

The Falcons return to action Tuesday at Gladwin, again leading off a varsity doubleheader, while Oscoda hosts Whittemore-Prescott on Thursday.