Bucktail’s Pentz, Austin’s Hooftallen put on a show in season finale
By Bees O’Brien
FARWELL, PA- Two of the premier area players clashed Thursday night in Farwell. Bucktail’s Brody Pentz squared up with Austin’s Jacob Hooftallen in what proved to be a battle until the very end.
An off night offensively from the hometown Bucks contributed greatly in their 53-50 loss to the Panthers. Those offensive woes were apparent in the first quarter as the Bucks were outscored 10-9.
The Bucks’ Johnny Green led the way in the first quarter by netting 6 points and a three-point basket from Brett Mason accounted for all 9 Bucktail points.
The Bucks found rhythm in the second quarter of play. Bucktail built a 22-12 lead early in the second quarter, but a Braiden Stuckey three and a three-point play from Jacob Hooftallen cut the Bucks’ lead to 22-18.
Will Steele would respond with a Bucktail three of his own with 3:50 remaining in the half to extend Bucktail’s lead to 25-18.
Brody Pentz would extend that lead to 27-18 following an offensive put back, but Austin wouldn’t die on this night.
Stuckey would strike again from beyond the arc to cap off an 11-1 Panthers’ run with 1:20 remaining in the half.
Bucktail, facing foul trouble late in the half would call on their bench. Xander Shearer would step up big as the half drew to a close. Shearer would convert on a basket and then pull down a huge defensive rebound that would lead to a Gary Whipp basket to give the Bucks a 33-28 lead at the break.
Dawson Hooftallen would take over in the third quarter and score 8 of Austin’s 14 points. Bucktail managed just 2 third quarter points, which would result in the game being decided despite a valiant fight from Bucktail in the fourth quarter.
The visiting Panthers held a 42-35 lead entering the final eight minutes of play.
Pentz would block a three-point attempt from Stuckey and nail a three-point basket of his own, part of Bucktail’s 15-11 fourth quarter advantage.
Austin (7-14), coached by Bucktail graduate Jon Ogden continued to catch the big breaks and none bigger than Braiden Stuckey’s third converted basket from beyond the arc with one minute remaining.
Jacob Hooftallen closed out his big night at the line converting a pair of free throws with 20.9 seconds remaining. Hooftallen finished with 25 points, 13 of which would come from the free throw line and his Panthers would leave Farwell with a victory on the senior’s final game as a Panther. He also collected 14 rebounds.
Dawson Hooftallen netted 12 points and grabbed 17 rebounds despite playing the entire second half in foul trouble. Braiden Stuckey’s three clutch three-point baskets, saw him finish with 9 points.
“It was a great atmosphere and nice to see some old friends. It was a tough hard-fought game by both teams, Proud of my guys. They have fought hard these last few games.” Coach Ogden said of his return to Bucktail. “Bucktail’s future looks really good with Pentz leading the way and I look forward to watching them develop into an outstanding team.”
Pentz would collect double-double number twelve with 21 points and 16 rebounds. Brett Mason netted 10 points in the loss. Gary Whipp added 8 points, Johnny Green 6 points and 8 rebounds, Will Steele scored 3 points and Xander Shearer finished with 2 points.
“We were out hustled and rebounded too much.” Bucktail coach Charcalla said following the game. “I think coming off an emotional win last night hurt our shooting. We couldn’t get anything to fall from outside.”
Bucktail (6-14) now awaits the PIAA District 4 1A pairings to be announced over the weekend. Their destiny may be a trip to Sullivan County on Tuesday in the quarterfinals of district play.
Austin 10 18 14 11 = 53
Bucktail 9 24 2 15 = 50
BUCKTAIL- Pentz 8 4-6 21, Mason 3 3-3 10, Whipp 3 2-2 8, Steele 1 0-2 3, Shearer 1 0-0 2, Charcalla 0 0-0 0, Ditty 0 0-0 0 TOTALS- 18 10-15 50
3FG- 4 (Mason, Green, Pentz, Steele) Rebounds- 33 (Pentz 16) Blocks- 3 (Pentz 3)
