Big night for Wagner sisters, help mom win coaching debut over Benton 36-33
By Bees O’Brien
FARWELL, PA- It was a big night for the Wagner family in Farwell on Wednesday night. Bucktail girls basketball head coach Suellen Wagner was making her coaching debut and it was a memorable one. The visiting Benton Lady Tigers nearly spoiled the occasion with a late fourth quarter rally.
Head coach Wagner is fortunate enough to have two of her daughters on the Bucktail roster. Mak Wagner poured in a tough 16-point performance and younger sister Kendall Wagner was a monster on the boards, grabbing a game-high 13 rebounds as the Lady Bucks would down Mid Penn Cross Divisional rivals Benton 36-33.
It wasn’t an easy task. Benton entered the contest with a win over Line Mountain under their belts and took a quick 3-0 lead on Bucktail. The Lady Bucks would gain the lead with an 8-4 advantage to close out the first quarter and hold a slim 8-7 lead.
Mak Wagner would score 5 of Bucktail’s seven second quarter points and Kendall would score Bucktail’s other two points and increased their lead at the half to 15-11.
With just under two minutes into the second half, Bucktail’s Matti Mason would pick up her fourth foul of the game. Bucktail would experience foul trouble in the second half as both Wagner sisters would also finish the game with four fouls.
With Mason on the bench, Bucktail would respond with their best quarter of the night. The Lady Bucks’ 15-7 third quarter advantage increased their lead to 30-18 heading into the fourth quarter.
Benton would continue to pressure Bucktail in the fourth quarter and force multiple turnovers. The Lady Tigers, a playoff team from a year ago would battle back.
“They’re always tough.” Wagner said of Benton, “They’ll always fight back.”
Benton did just that. The Lady Tigers’ 15-6 fourth quarter run kept head coach Wagner’s debut in doubt.
Benton would hit a clutch three-point basket with under 5 seconds remaining, but were unable to force a steal and sealed the win for Bucktail.
Senior Alexis Lowery played a solid all-around game by scoring 6 points and grabbing 6 rebounds.
The victory for Bucktail was far from perfect and coach Wagner would like to see her team clean things up a bit.
“Turnovers were a problem, but that’s first game jitters.” Said Wagner following the Lady Bucks victory.
Bucktail doesn’t have a lot of time to work on things. They will hit the road on Friday and Saturday, as they will compete in the Galeton Tipoff tournament. Austin will be their semifinal opponent. Bucktail depending on their outcome Friday against the Lady Panthers will play either host Galeton or the Taylor Rae Jones led Williamson Lady Warriors on Saturday.
Benton 7 4 7 15 – 33
Bucktail 8 7 15 6 – 36
Bucktail (36)
M. Wagner 7 2-8 16, K. Wagner 3 0-0 6, Mason 1 0-0 2, Halpate 1 0-0 2, Lowery 3 0-0 6, English 1 1-2 3, Sockman 0 1-2 1, Stone 0 0-0 0, TOTALS- 16 4-12 36
3FG- NONE Rebounds- 30 (K. Wagner 13) Assists-7 (M. Wagner 3) Steals- 13 (M. Wagner 3, Lowery 3, Sockman 3) Blocks- 5 (M. Wagner 2, K. Wagner 2, English)
