Bucktail takes down top ranked Meadowbrook in 2OT to claim CMVT crown
By Bees O’Brien
BLOOMSBURG- Bucktail has been enduring a season that has seen the Bucks being hyped as a legitimate District IV contender. On Thursday night the Bucks may have put the doubters to rest with their 38-36 double overtime victory over D4 1A’s top ranked Meadowbrook Christian Lions.
The Bucks appeared to be dead in the water at the end of regulation. Down by 3, Bucktail’s Gary Whipp would sink an NBA range three-point basket to send the game into a miracle overtime tie at 26-26.
Overtime would only continue what was a sluggish offensive game from both squads. Meadowbrook and Bucktail would only manage 6 points each to send the game into the second overtime.
In the second extra frame it would be the Bucks’ free throw shooting from Brody Pentz and Johnny Green that would lift Bucktail to the upset win.
Pentz would connect on a pair of free throws and Green would connect on 3 of his four trips to the line to help seal the deal for Bucktail.
The Bucks opened the game with a 7-6 lead after one quarter, but the Lions used a small 7-4 edge to gain the 13-11 halftime lead.
Baskets were few and far between in the second half before Whipp’s heroics.
Bucktail’s 15-13 second half advantage would be enough to send the game into extra frames.
Brody Pentz led the Bucks with 9 points and 17 rebounds, a good enough effort to earn tournament MVP. Johnny Green would add 8 points on the night, but none bigger than his trio of free throws in the second overtime.
Whipp finished with 7 points, including his incredible three-point basket at the end of regulation. Whipp was named to the all-tournament team for his efforts.
Meadowbrook Christian fell to 4-2 on the season. Bucktail upped their mark to 4-3 on the season.
The Bucks will next meet rival St. John Neumann in Farwell on January 2.
Meadowbrook 6 7 5 8 6 4 -36
Bucktail 7 4 6 9 6 6 -38
Bucktail (38)
Pentz 1 7-12 9, Mason 2 3-5 7, Green 2 3-8 8, Whipp 2 2-2 7, Pick 1 3-4 5, Shearer 0 0-0 0, T. Ditty 0 0-0 0, TOTALS- 8 18-31 38
3FG- 2 (Green, Whipp)
