OGEMAW HEIGHTS - Mar. 10, 2010 - One thing is certain; when the Tawas Area Braves and Ogemaw Heights Falcons meet on the basketball court the game won't be decided until the fourth quarter. Wednesday's district semi-final contest between the teams was no different, as Ogemaw survived yet another scare from the Braves, advancing to Friday's district final with a 57-48 win.

“The last six times we've played them I think the margin has been 10 points in all the games combined,” Ogemaw head coach Jon VanOosten said. “They're a tough match up for us.”

The Falcons led 32-22 at the half, but as if on cue, the Braves made their run in the second half.

The Braves climbed nearly all the way back, even without second leading scorer D.J. Decker, who had fouled out of the contest with four minutes to play in the fourth. Tawas rallied to within 50-48 with just over a minute to play after a Nick Schirmer basket from the top of the key.

The Falcons were whistled for a travel on their ensuing possession, which gave the Braves a chance to tie or take the lead.

Instead, two straight Tawas turnovers led to fast break layups by Robby Kish and Jordan Moore, giving the Falcons a 54-48 lead with under 30 seconds to go.

Ogemaw sealed the deal in the closing seconds, netting a free throw by Moore and two by Alex Jennings to hang on for the 57-48 win.

The Falcons controlled the game most of the first half, taking a 19-15 lead after the first quarter, despite Decker sinking three consecutive 3-point shots to start the game for Tawas.

Ogemaw held the Braves to seven points in the second, while scoring 13 of their own to hold a 32-22 lead at the half.

“We worked hard getting the ball inside,” VanOosten said. “We didn't do as good a job of that in the second half. We got a little impatient.”

Tawas climbed back to trail just 39-35 after the third, but foul trouble eventually caught up the Braves as Decker and Cody Jordan fouled out in the fourth, with Gary Sisk picking up his fourth and Schirmer his third.

Ogemaw was led by Jennings with 16 points, hitting 6-of-8 from the line. Anthony Zettel had 15, with Kish scoring nine and Jarritt Orlando netting seven.

Tawas (10-11) was led by Schirmer with a season-high 15 points in the season-ending loss, with Decker adding 13 and Travis Simmons scoring 12.

The Falcons (20-2), continue their season Friday against Standish-Sterling (16-5) with a district championship on the line.

“Every time you can keep playing that's good (at) this time of year,” VanOosten said. “We have our toughest assignment coming up and they know that.”