Sockman’s big day helps Lady Bucks take second place

By Bees O’Brien

ALLPORT- Bucktail’s Eva Sockman stepped up and helped propel the Lady Bucks to a second place finish at the West Branch Holiday tournament on Saturday. The Bucktail senior forward led the team in scoring and rebounds in both tournament games. Bucktail edged 3A Bald Eagle Area 37-30 in the semifinals but would fall to the Lady Mounties of Philipsburg-Osceola 37-31 in the title game.

Sockman’s huge day began with a dominating performance in game one. Her 17 points and 22 rebounds helped set the stage in a game against the Lady Eagles that Bucktail led the entire game.

Bucktail led 6-3 after one quarter and their 14-7 second quarter built a 20-10 lead at the break. BEA (1-4) responded in the third quarter.

The Lady Eagles used a 12-6 third quarter edge to battle back and cut the Bucktail lead to just four points at 26-22.

Bucktail fought off BEA in a tight final frame by a count of 11-8 to take the victory.

Kendall Wagner and Kelsie Wagner both dropped in 9 points each, with Kendall blocking 5 Lady Eagles shots and Kelsie altering three shots. Olivia Henderson added two points for the Lady Bucks.

Philipsburg-Osceola advanced to the finals to meet Bucktail by downing host West Branch in the other semifinal contest by a score of 41-9.

The Lady Mounties used a 13-10 first quarter lead and seen their lead grow to 22-17 at the break following a 9-7 second quarter advantage.

Bucktail, behind six total three-point baskets, never gave up. P-O 8-5 third quarter built their lead to 30-22.

A 9-7 Lady Bucks fourth and final quarter helped them claw their way back into things, but it wouldn’t be enough with the Lady Mounties grabbing the 37-31 victory to build their season mark to 3-4. 

Sockman once again led the Lady Bucks with 11 points and 12 rebounds. Kendall Wagner dropped 10 points and dished out a team-high 6 assists. Kelsie Wagner added 10 points and collected a team-high 4 blocked shots.

Kendall Wagner was named MVP and offensive MVP for her efforts on the day.

Bucktail upped their season mark to 4-4 on the season and will be moving up in the current District IV 1A basketball standings when they are updated. The Lady Bucks stock could very well move up following Monday’s home contest against 2A Curwensville (0-6).

Semifinals

Bucktail 37, Bald Eagle Area 30

Bucktail (37)

Sockman 6 4-9  17, Kelsie Wagner 2 3-6  9, Henderson 1 0-0  2, Kendall Wagner 2 3-4  9, Intallura 0 0-0  0, Paloskey 0 0-0  0, Salizzoni 0 0-0  0, TOTALS 11 10-19  47

3FG- 3 (Kendall Wagner 2, Sockman)

Championship game

Philipsburg-Osceola 37, Bucktail 31

Bucktail (31)

Sockman 4 0-2  11, Kelsie Wagner 4 0-2  10, Henderson 0 0-0  0, Kendall Wagner 3 3-4  10, Intallura 0 0-0  0, Paloskey 0 0-0  0, Totals 11 3-8  31

3FG- 6 (Sockman 3, Kelsie Wagner 2, Kendall Wagner)