Bucktail opens quarterfinals at home with Norry Christian
FARWELL- Bucktail’s title defense of their PIAA 1A District IV Championship will begin against a familiar foe in Northumberland Christian at home in Farwell on Tuesday evening.
The Bucks will be meeting the Warriors for the fourth time in postseason. Following two losses at Northumberland in the 1A playoffs, the Bucks stunned the top seeded Warriors 73-61 at Loyalsock to advance to the state playoffs and the District IV title game.
Norry will bring their 8-8 record and revenge on their minds when they battle the 10-11 Bucks.
Bucktail’s attack begins with senior all-state standout Brody Pentz. Pentz leads the Bucks in scoring and has accumulated multiple double-doubles this season. He’s even got a pair of triple-doubles to his credit. Pentz will be key against a tough Warriors’ zone defense.
Bucktail will be short on the parameter in Tuesday’s quarterfinal contest and will be looking to step up their game from outside to keep the Warriors’ defense on their toes.
In their victory over Norry last year, Bucktail knocked down 12 three-point baskets, but 11 of them were from Braylon Fantaski and Brett Mason. They’re both gone now. Bucktail’s second leading scorer Gary Whipp is their best remaining option from beyond the arc. Whipp hit a three in the semifinal win a season ago.
Gavin Pick and Aidan Ditty should get their chances to help the Bucktail offense. Both have played well at times for the Bucks. Talan Ditty has a chance to be a force inside for Bucktail, but he will be tested.
6’2” and 6’5” Conner and Ethan Bennett lead the Warriors. Both played well in last year’s semifinal, with brother Conner scoring 33 on the Bucks.
The two teams do share a few common opponents. Norry knocked off Sullivan County 54-47 on the road back in December. The Bucks fell to Sullivan by three points on the road.
Northumberland split their season series with Meadowbrook, while Bucktail dropped their only contest to the Lions a couple weeks ago.
The Bucks suffered some bad losses, mainly their buzzer beating defeat at Northern Potter. That loss is one they would love to have back. Bucktail did play a strong schedule that included the top seed in 3A in Troy. They’ve also played the top two seeds in 2A in Northwest and Muncy.
Marquee wins for the Bucks include at St. John Neumann and home victories over South Williamsport and Montgomery, all of which are 2A playoff teams. They’ve also defeated Millville, a 1A playoff team.
The winner of this 4 vs. 5 quarterfinal will meet the winner of the top seeded NP- Liberty and 8 seed Millville. The other half of the bracket will see 2 seed Sullivan County hosting 7 seed Galeton. The final quarterfinal matches up Meadowbrook Christian at home against Lourdes Regional.
