Charcalla’s 16 not enough for Bucks in big District IV clash

By Bees O’Brien

LAPORTE- Bucktail and Sullivan County have been District IV 1A’s top two programs the past two seasons and on Friday night the 2023 Champion Griffins hosted the 2024 champion Bucks.

Bucktail had a 9-point lead in the first half of play and despite getting 16 points from Ethan Charcalla, it wasn’t enough to fend off a late Sullivan County rally.

The Griffins rallied in the second half with a 37-31 advantage, which helped the hosts erase a 25-22 first half deficit.

The Bucks started off strong by commanding much of the first half, including an impressive 15-6 lead after one quarter of play. Sullivan rallied behind a hostile home crowd with a 16-10 second quarter advantage.

The Griffins wrapped up the game by winning the final two quarters by margins of 20-18 and 17-11.

Charcalla’s 16-point night led the Bucks. He was the only Bucktail player to reach double figures on the night. Gavin Pick and Talan Ditty each netted 9 points and Aidan Ditty added 8 points. The Griffins contained Bucktail’s two leading scorers in Brody Pentz and Gary Whipp. Both managed just 7 points each. Pentz did collect a double-double the hard way by grabbing 15 rebounds and dishing out 10 assists.

Bucktail, now 5-7 will host Troy (10-2