Lady Bucks drop heartbreaking season opener 49-45 at Cameron County

By Bees O’Brien

EMPORIUM- Bucktail girls basketball head coach Suellen Wagner has to be proud of her outnumbered squads efforts on Wednesday night against a tough Cameron County squad. The Lady Bucks, who nearly seen their program vanquished due to low numbers, have recently received a roster boost and despite having just one substitute nearly upended the host Lady Red Raiders.

Cameron County would connect on 5 three-point baskets on the night and use a deciding 14-10 fourth quarter advantage to escape with the win in a game that was deadlocked at 35-35 heading into the final frame of play.

Bucktail started off slow, trailing 15-12 after one quarter of play. The Lady Bucks would turn things around in the second quarter and use a 14-6 advantage to hold a 26-21 halftime lead.

Four points each from Matti Mason and Arianna Winkelman helped pace Bucktail to the halftime lead.

The Lady Red Raiders would storm back in the third quarter by outscoring Bucktail 14-9 to tie things up before the fourth quarter began.

Both Eva Sockman and Kendall Wagner collected double-doubles for the Lady Bucks. Sockman netted 10 points and grabbed 11 rebounds. Wagner scored a team-high 15 points, while pulling down 13 boards and she would go 3 for 5 from beyond the three-point line. Matti Mason scored 14 points, connected on a three-point basket and dished out 4 assists. Winkelman finished with a varsity career-high 6 points.

Elsie Bresslin led Cameron County with a game-high 17 points. Navaeh Spaeth added 12 points for the winners.

Bucktail, now 0-1 will head to the Galeton Tip Off Tournament on Friday night to meet up with host Galeton in a battle of District IV rivals.