Lady Bucks lock up playoff spot with 60-25 win on Coach Gentzyel Appreciation Night
By Bees O’Brien
FARWELL- It was a special night for the Lady Bucks program on Friday night in Farwell. It was a night that retired head coach Carl Gentzyel was honored for his 33 years at the helm of Bucktail’s girls’ basketball program and a night when the Lady Bucks would lock up their third straight District IV 1A playoff appearance.
Unlike their previous two trips to the postseason, Bucktail will not have to sweat out selection Sunday in hopes of getting a playoff call from District IV.
Bucktail systematically picked away at visiting Montgomery using a balanced offensive assault that left the Lady Raiders at the short end of a 60-25 mercy rule loss. Bucktail’s total team effort would see every player find the scoring column and three different players reach double figures in scoring.
Kendall Wagner began the offensive barrage for Bucktail with a three-point basket and a strong inside bucket. Sister Mak Wagner’s layup would make it 7-0, forcing a Montgomery timeout.
Following the timeout Montgomery’s standout guard Fallin Reynolds would put on her own 6-0 run to creep her squad back to within 1 point. The Lady Bucks would use a 9-4 advantage to close out the quarter and hold a 16-10 lead.
Bucktail’s 15-6 second quarter advantage would extend their lead to 15 at 31-16.
At halftime former head coach Carl Gentzyel was honored with a plaque and cupcakes to honor his 33-year coaching career.
Bucktail would put the game out of reach in the third quarter. Powered by a 13-0 run to start the second half, the Lady Bucks were up 44-16. Bucktail would outscore Montgomery 16-9 to close out the game and reach playoffs.
Mak Wagner would score a game-high 23 points. Kendall Wagner would add 12 points and Matti Mason netted 10 points in the win.
Eva Sockman was pivotal down low for Bucktail by grabbing a team-high 12 rebounds.
Reynolds had another terrific night for the Lady Raider by scoring 16 points.
Montgomery dropped to 5-15 on the season and with just one more game remaining on their schedule will miss out on the postseason.
Bucktail, now 11-9 will host Columbia Montour VoTech (0-18) at a special 6pm start time.
The win by the Lady Bucks gave them their first above .500 record playoff bid since 2015.
Bucktail (60)
M. Wagner 9 3-8 23, K. Wagner 6 0-2 12, Sockman 2 0-0 4, Mason 5 0-4 10, Lowery 1 1-2 3, Halpate 1 0-0 2, English 1 0-0 2, Stone 1 0-0 2, TOTALS- 26 4-16 60
3FG-4 (M. Wagner 2, K. Wagner 2) Rebounds-34 (Sockman 12) Assists- 14 (K. Wagner 4) Steals- 13 (M.Wagner 5 Blocks-1 (K. Wagner)
