The class realignment in District 9 this basketball season saw several schools — including Coudersport — move up from Class A to Class AA.

While their classification may have changed, the Falcons’ dominance on the court remained the same.

A tough draw resulted in Coudersport having to face D-6 power Greensburg Central Catholic in just the second round of the PIAA Class AA tourney, a close contest in which the Falcons ultimately fell 72-63.

But while that defeat (their only one of the season) will be tough to swallow, the Falcons’ 2016-17 campaign was still one to be admired.

North Tier League Coach of the Year Brian Furman’s team managed to improve on last year’s 23-4 mark by finishing 25-1 overall this year, which included a perfect 16-0 record in NTL play and a D-9 title game victory over Brockway.

This marked the second time Furman has reached the state tourney in his three years at the helm, with last year’s second-round defeat coming at the hands of eventual-state champion Kennedy Catholic.

The numbers bore out the quality of this year’s squad even compared to last year’s excellent outfit: Coudy improved both offensively (from 64.9 points scored per game to 68.2) and defensively (from 39.1 points allowed per game to 34.5) from 2016 to 2017.

Forward Jared Green led a deep, versatile lineup. The six-foot junior was named the NTL Player of the Year, displaying an excellent all-around game that saw him reach the 1,000-point barrier on Feb. 8 against Galeton with a 26-point performance. Green was as adept at hitting long-range shots as he was driving to the rim, while also routinely coming up with big blocks on the defensive end.

Green was joined on the NTL all-star squad by senior Aaron Wolfinger and sophomore Owen Chambers. Wolfinger anchored a strong senior backcourt trio that included Zach Layag and David Rigas. Chambers, meanwhile, emerged as a lethal 3-point shooter, as evidenced by his 35-point explosion in the Falcons’ 80-45 first-round victory over United this past Saturday.

Coudy’s signature win of the season was a 56-54 OT thriller over Ridgway on Jan. 6. The Elkers — who advanced to the state quarterfinals with a win over Berlin Brothersvalley on Thursday – gave the Falcons their sternest test of the regular season. Furman’s crew held firm, though, earning a ‘W’ that certainly raised their profile in the area and beyond.

While it may be early to look ahead to next year, Coudersport figures to be in good shape moving forward. Losing Wolfinger, Layag, Rigas and bench contributor Khalik Murray to graduation will hurt, but Green (1,074 career points) and Chambers (770 career points) figure to be one of the best one-two combos in the area next year.

Derek Keglovits and Hunter Ricke — both seniors next year — also figure to be big contributors, as both players saw significant playing time well into the state tourney, with Keglovits scoring 12 points off the bench against Greensburg CC.

With the steady leadership of Furman, a talented crop of players, and an established culture of winning, Coudersport has earned its place as one of the very best programs around.