Lady Bucks securing program’s future while giving back to community
By Bees O’Brien
FARWELL- As Matti Mason popped off of the bench and started yelling instructions to her team, one would have easily guessed that Mason was shouting instructions to her Bucktail teammates. She was giving advice to her other team.
Yes, the Lady Bucks star junior guard has another team and this team is just as special. Mason is volunteering as a coach for Renovo’s Central PA Youth Basketball League 5th & 6th grade team, part of head coach Suellen Wagner’s community outreach initiative.
“In the player contract I had the girls sign at the beginning of the season, I discussed the importance of giving back to the community.” Wagner said of the initiative “The Central PA Youth Basketball League is our feeder program and it is important as a coach and player to support this organization.”
The Lady Bucks are supporting in great numbers. When most players would have been relishing their playoff clinching victory the night before, there was Mason and her Bucktail teammates eager to give back.
Multiple players have participated in refereeing, keeping the clock and book along with multiple other tasks to keep youth basketball going strong.
Mak Wagner, Kendall Wagner, Eva Sockman, Makenna Stone, Lola English and others have stepped up from the Lady Bucks squad and have delivered a service more valuable to the youths than they may ever know.
“They are learning the game from a different perspective, which helps improve their own game.” Wagner added “We also plan on holding clinics and weekly practices throughout the summer months to target our younger girls and have the varsity help run the practices.”
The Bucktail boys program also volunteers services occasionally both with the CPYBL and during Midget League games on Sundays.
Head varsity coach Travis Fantaskey, JV coach Mike Charcalla and junior high coaches Devin DeMarte and John Shearer have all been spotted helping out. Bucktail senior Braylon Fantaski has also stepped in and officiated games.
This just goes to show that it all goes full circle and once again the good people of Western Clinton County are stepping up to help secure the success of our youth.
