Underdog Bucks looking to upset Bethlehem Christian in state playoffs
By Bees O’Brien
FARWELL- For the first time in program history, Bucktail is heading to back-to-back PIAA 1A state playoffs. Head coach Travis Fantaskey has helped one of the smallest public schools in the state once again navigate through the District IV field and claim a spot amongst the state’s best 32 Class 1A team. A 45-30 consolation win over second seeded Sullivan County sent the underdog Bucks and their number 4 seed into the state playoffs.
Bucktail (12-12) now will meet a goliath in Bethlehem Christian and their 25-2 record. The Panthers have only been PIAA members for three seasons and have qualified for the state playoffs every single season. They captured the District 11/2 sub-regional title by downing Lincoln Leadership Academy 63-48 on Friday evening.
Bethlehem Christian has a stacked lineup and it begins with 1,000-point scorer Myles Harris. The junior has scored 20 or more points in 6 contests this season for the Panthers. Junior Gabe Transue has been the Panthers biggest threat from beyond the arc. Transue lit up Weatherly for 39 points in a playoff meeting between the Wreckers and Bethlehem Christian.
Sophomore Deion Swift and senior Roman Rex will be an issue for the Bucks too. Swift has multiple double figure games this season and Rex netted 24 in a game against Weatherly during regular season.
Bucktail has their own 1,000-point scorer in Brody Pentz. Pentz is a powerful force on the block for the Bucks. The senior has compiled more double-doubles than any player in Bucktail history and he’ll be looking for another top performance when these two clash on Friday night.
Gary Whipp was one of the quickest guards in all of District IV over the past two seasons and is coming off of a 15-point effort in the consolation win over Sullivan County. He is arguably the Bucks’ biggest threat from outside, but if the Panthers sleep on Gavin Pick it could give Bucktail an edge.
The sophomore Pick has been streaky all season long, but when he is on he can be among the very best on the court at any given time.
Senior Ethan Charcalla has had some big games from outside for the Bucks. He could be one to watch.
The Bucks also have an enforcer in the physical Talan Ditty. Ditty grabbed 12 rebounds against Sullivan County Wednesday night and even hit a big time three point basket to ice the game for Bucktail.
His brother Aidan Ditty has been a spark for Bucktail on both offense and defense during the post season run. Ditty stole the ball 5 times in Bucktail’s last outing and collected a blocked shot along the way. Bucktail’s tempo picks up when Ditty enters the game.
Bucktail is set for the 3 hour trip to Easton Middle School on Friday night for a 6pm tip off with Bethlehem Christian.
