Bucktail presses past Austin, spoils Ogden’s homecoming 67-43
By Bees O’Brien
FARWELL-Jon Ogden piled up over 1,400 points as a player at Bucktail in the mid 1990’s. On Monday night Ogden, now the head coach of Austin found himself on the opposite end of a relentless Bucktail defense that he once was a part of.
The Bucks forced 18 steals and only allowed just 6 turnovers in their 67-43 victory over visiting Austin.
Austin also featured one of the most prolific scorers in all of District 9 in senior Brayden Stuckey. The Bucks did their best to contain Stuckey, but the Panther sharpshooter was on for three quarters.
Stuckey scored 6 of Austin’s 8 first quarter points, but the Bucks netted 10 in the game’s initial frame to hold a 10-8 lead. Bucktail used a 12-8 second quarter to build a 22-16 halftime lead, thanks in part to a relentless press.
That same Bucktail press led to multiple offensive opportunities for a variety of Bucks. Nobody benefitted more than Gary Whipp. Whip swiped 6 steals on the second quarter and drilled a trio of three-point shots in the frame. Ethan Charcalla and Gavin Pick found their range in the quarter too.
Charcalla sank a three and Pick dropped in a pair from beyond the arc.
The Bucks continued the onslaught in the third quarter, by turning turnovers into points.
Stuckey, who buried four from long range and finished with a game-high 25 points wrapped it up best.
“The press killed us. We have young players that haven’t seen that kind of pressure before.” said Stuckey
Austin head coach Jon Ogden would have rather seen a different outcome for his Panthers, but he too complimented the Bucks and their aggression.
“We don’t see teams that aggressive on defense.” said Ogden “Bucktail plays a tough schedule and it shows in their style of play.”
Bucktail’s 30-15 third quarter advantage sealed the game in a quarter that seen the Bucks open the half on a 15-0 run.
Bucktail head coach Travis Fantaskey was pleased with his team’s effort, but reality will set in later this week with a pair of Mid Penn Conference battles on the road.
“We’ll find out on Wednesday against Muncy and Saturday against South Williamsport.” Added Fantaskey
Austin meanwhile will next be in action Tuesday night against Oswayo Valley at home.
Bucktail (1-1) was led by Gary Whipp’s 20 points. Brody Pentz recorded his second double-double of the season by scoring 16 points and grabbing 11 rebounds. Gavin Pick netted 11 points in the win.
Austin 8 8 15 12 43
Bucktail
Bucktail- Pentz 7 2-4 16, Charcalla 1 0-0 3, Whipp 7 3-4 20, Pick 3 4-5 11, Kalafut 0 0-0 0, T. Ditty 3 0-2 6, A. Ditty 1 0-0 2, Shearer 2 1-1 5, Stone 1 0-0 2, Mathews 1 0-0 2, Heiser 0 0-0 0, Steele 0 0-0 0, Pedokus 0 0-0 0, TOTALS- 26 10-16 67
3FG- 5 (Whipp 3, Charcalla, Pick) Rebounds- 29 (Pentz 11) Assists- 11 (Pick 6) Steals- 18 (Whipp 6) Blocks-1 (Pentz)
