OGEMAW HEIGHTS - Mar. 10, 2010 - Standish-Sterling opened up district tournament play with a convincing 51-38 district semi-final win over Gladwin Wednesday night, lifting the Panther's to Friday's final against Ogemaw Heights.

The Panthers controlled the tempo from the opening tip, taking leads of 16-6 after the first quarter and 24-11 at the half.

Cole Walderzak scored six points in the first quarter, as SSC was able to control the game in the paint for most of the night. It was just Walderzak's second game back since missing over a week due to an ankle injury.

“We had pretty good control of the inside, which was nice,” said Standish head coach Tom Murray. “We got the ball where it needed to go and we were finishing. It was good to have Walderzak back.”

Derek Williams scored seven in the third, as Standish outscored Gladwin 20-10 in the frame to put the game out of reach at 44-21.

“I thought we rebounded really well,” Murray said. “They have a really good inside game. We beat them at their strength and I thought that set the tone.”

The Flying G's outscored Standish 17-7 to make the final reasonably close.

The Panthers (15-6) were led by Derek Williams with 18 points, with Walderzak and Robert Sanch both netting nine.

The win sets up Friday's district championship game against Ogemaw Heights (20-2).

“I don't think this game would win Friday,” Murray said. “We have 48 hours to get a lot better. We're going to have to be spot on to win.”