NP-Liberty dethrones Bucktail in semifinals, 67-55
By Bees O’Brien
LOYALSOCK TOWNSHIP- For one quarter on Saturday afternoon, Bucktail dominated top-seeded NP-Liberty in the PIAA District IV 1A semifinals. The problem for the Bucks was that it was a four quarter game.
The Bucks built a 30-24 halftime lead that seen the Mounties chip away and eventually overtake Bucktail in the third quarter by a 21-6 margin in the frame. NP-Liberty used strong scoring from four players and a 43-25 second half advantage to upend the defending district champions 67-55.
NP-Liberty opened the game with a 17-15 first quarter advantage before Bucktail appeared to take control of the game.
Aidan Ditty began the Bucktail rally with a basket at the 5:30 mark in the second quarter. Ditty’s basket gave Bucktail their first lead at 18-17. A pair of Gavin Pick free throws once again had the Bucks up 20-19.
A pair of Ethan Charcalla three-point baskets with one minute remaining in the half gave Bucktail their largest lead at 30-21.
Then back came the Mounties. NPL put together a quick 3-0 run before the half ended and the wheels began to fall off for Bucktail.
NP-Liberty came out in the second half with an extended press defense that gave Bucktail trouble. Forced turnovers resulted in easy layups for the Mounties. Liberty’s 21-6 third quarter helped them build a 45-36 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
Senior Brody Pentz and sophomore Gavin Pick continued to give their team a chance, but their fourth quarter efforts were matched by a solid and well-rounded Liberty team.
A 22-19 final quarter from NP-Liberty set the final.
Brody Pentz led Bucktail with 19 points and grabbed 11 rebounds. Pick finished with 13 points and Ethan Charcalla chipped in 8 points. Talan Ditty had another strong outing for Bucktail. Ditty scored 6 points and grabbed a team-high 12 rebounds.
Luke Kreger netted a game-high 23 points, while Adyan Wheeland added 17 points. Blake Oakley added 12 points and Evan Mctish dropped in 10 points for the winners.
Bucktail dropped to 11-12 on the season, but still have a shot at a PIAA playoff bid when they face Sullivan County (13-11) in the District IV 1A Consolation game for the right to advance to state playoffs. The Griffins own a 59-56 victory over Bucks back in January in LaPorte.
The location, date and time for the consolation game has not been set as of yet.
Bucktail
NPL 17 7 21 22 67
Bucktail-55
Pentz 8 3-3 19, Whipp 1 0-2 3, Pick 4 4-4 13, Charcalla 2 2-2 8, T. Ditty 1 4-8 6, A. Ditty 3 0-0 6, TOTALS- 19 13-19 55
3FG- 4 (Charcalla 2, Whipp, Pick) Rebounds- 32 (T.Ditty 12, Pentz 11) Assists-10 (Pentz 4, Whipp 4) Steals- 4 (A.Ditty 2) Blocks-NONE
