Lady Bucks reach tournament final with 27-25 win

By Bees O’Brien

Allport- Bucktail fought off a strong effort from host West Branch on Friday at the West Branch Holiday Tournament. Bucktail’s scrappy 27-25 win over the host Lady Warriors has the Lady Bucks in the tournament final where they are set to meet Bald Eagle Area. The Lady Eagles downed Phillipsburg Osceola in the other semifinal matchup.

Bucktail grabbed an early 7-5 lead after one quarter against the winless Lady Warriors. West Branch battled back following a 9-8 second quarter and trailed Bucktail 16-14 at the half.

West Branch put together an 8-5 third quarter to grab a 22-21 lead heading into the final quarter of play.

The Lady Bucks used a strong team effort to fight off West Branch 6-3 in the final quarter of play to advance to the tournament final against Bald Eagle Area (3-5) in the championship game at West Branch High School. Tip time is set for 3:30.

Eva Sockman had a strong night for Bucktail. Sockman scored 10 points and grabbed a game-high 19 rebounds. Kendall Wagner also netted 10 points for the Lady Bucks and Matti Mason added 7 points for the now 2-5 Lady Bucks.