Bucktail Bucks Secure Playoff Berth with Victory Over Millville

MILLVILLE-Coach Travis Fantaskey’s Bucktail Bucks faced a pivotal matchup on Friday night, with playoff implications hanging in the balance. A win was imperative for the Bucks to clinch the coveted number 4 spot in the 1A District 4 playoffs and secure a home court advantage for the first round. With Millville entering the game with a record of 4-17 and the Bucks at 10-11, anticipation ran high.

In a display of teamwork, the Bucks battled relentlessly, ultimately emerging victorious with a decisive 65-52 win, securing their spot in the playoffs.

The game started with both teams trading blows in the first quarter, with the Bucks edging ahead to a 16-12 lead. Maintaining their momentum, Bucktail widened the gap by halftime, commanding a 36-25 advantage over Millville.

Despite Millville’s efforts to mount a comeback in the third quarter, Bucktail held their ground, outscoring their opponents 15-10. Although Millville rallied in the final quarter, their efforts fell short as Bucktail maintained their composure to secure the win.

Senior standout Braylon Fantaski led the charge for the Bucks, delivering an impressive performance with 24 points, including four three-pointers. Brody Pentz showcased his dominance with a stellar showing, notching 10 points and a strong 20 rebounds. Johnny Green and Gary Whipp also made significant contributions, chipping in with 9 and 8 points respectively.

For Millville, Tommy Kraintz led the scoring with 23 points, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Bucktail’s determined effort.

With this crucial win, Bucktail improves to an 11-11 record, securing the number four spot in the District 4 1A playoff bracket. As anticipation builds for the playoffs, brackets are expected to be officially released on Saturday. Meanwhile, Millville’s season concludes with a record of 4-18.