Lady Bucks hang with top ranked Meadowbrook Christian in 44-32 loss
By Bees O’Brien
FARWELL- The Lady Bucks proved just how good they are on Thursday night in Farwell, as they took on District IV’s top ranked 1A team to their limits. Meadowbrook Christian came into the contest 12-0 and featured one of the district’s top players in all state player Kailey Devlin.
The Lady Lions also feature 6’1” Alayna Smith on the inside and slashing, smooth shooting guard Madalyn Fasnacht. All three were a factor against Bucktail, as the Lady Lions would erase a 12-9 first quarter deficit with a huge 17-4 second quarter, on their way to a 44-32 road win over the Lady Bucks.
Matti Mason’s basket with 5 minutes remaining in the first quarter would give Bucktail a surprising 5-4 lead. The Lady Bucks would continue to find success against the much taller Meadowbrook squad early on.
Mak Wagner’s three-point basket, followed by a Kendall Wagner offensive put back had the Lady Bucks stunning the defending district champions at 12-6.
Kendall Wagner had a busy night. She began the night picking up a pinfall victory for Central Mountain against Williamsport and then would make the journey from Mill Hall to Farwell just before opening tip.
Meadowbrook would regain the lead on a Fasnacht three-point basket with 5:21 remaining in the half, but pesky Bucktail would not go away behind the shooting of Mak Wagner. Wagner’s counter to Fasnacht’s three would give Bucktail their final lead of the contest at 16-15 with 4:20 to go before halftime.
Meadowbrook would close the half on an 11-0 run to hold a 26-16 lead at the break.
Meadowbrook would use a 10-6 third quarter advantage to build a little breathing room at 36-22 heading into the final quarter.
Mak Wagner would sink a pair of three-pointers to help Bucktail outscore the Lady Lions 10-8 in the fourth quarter to set the final score.
Mak Wagner led Bucktail with 13 points. Kendall Wagner followed up her success on the mats with 7 points and 10 rebounds in the loss.
Fasnacht led Meadowbrook with 16 points. Kailey Devlin would score 14 points, three points below her average.
Lockdown defense from both Lola English and Makenna Stone contributed to keeping the Lady Lions’ star in check.
Alayna Smith added 12 points for the now 13-0 District IV 1A leaders.
Bucktail (7-7) will hit the road for a contest with Benton (6-8) on Saturday night.
Meadowbrook91710844
Bucktail12461032
Bucktail (32)
English 2 0-0 4, Sockman 0 0-0 0, Mason 2 1-4 5, Lowery 1 0-0 2, M. Wagner 4 2-2 13, K. Wagner 2 2-8 7, Halpate 0 1-2 1, Stone 0 0-0 0, TOTALS- 11 5-14 32
3FG- 4 (M. Wagner 3, K. Wagner) Rebounds- 23 (K.Wagner 10) Assists-8 (Mason 5) Steals- 7 (M.Wagner 3) Blocks-1 (English)
