Bucks fend off Benton comeback bid in critical 50-40 win

By Bees O’Brien

BENTON- Bucktail head coach Travis Fantaskey stressed to his team prior to their road meeting with Benton, that this wasn’t a pushover team. The Tigers entered their Tuesday night home game against Bucktail with a winless record, but this was a team that took Norry Christian to the limit in last season’s District IV 1A playoffs.

Bucktail jumped to a big lead in the first half and seemed to ease off in the second half. Fantaskey attributed the second half lapse to overconfidence and blown chances under the basket.

The Bucks held a slim 8-5 lead after one quarter of play, but their huge second quarter was what saved them. Their 22-9 advantage before halftime gave Bucktail a 31-14 lead and the cushion they needed to hold off Benton.

The Tigers didn’t exactly light up the scoreboard, but their hustle kept them in the game. Their 11-8 third quarter advantage over Bucks helped shrink the gap to a 39-25 Bucktail lead.

Benton continued to take advantage of missed calls that went against the Bucks and when Brody Pentz fouled out, the Tigers smelled blood.

Benton outscored the Bucks 15-11 in the final frame, but the Bucktail second quarter surge was just too much for the home team to overcome.

Bucktail had three players in double figures, led by senior Gary Whipp’s 15 points. Fellow senior Brody Pentz netted 13 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. Gavin Pick also hit double figures with 12 points.

Benton dropped to 0-4 on the season, but with a lot of basketball left on their schedule don’t be surprised to see a tougher Tigers’ on January 22 when they visit Farwell.

Bucktail will now take their 2-3 record into a Saturday night MPC West meeting with rival St. John Neumann (0-4) with the Bucks looking to earn some 2A District IV playoff power points.