State Bound! Bucktail surges past Sullivan County to reach state playoffs
By Bees O’Brien
Loyalsock Township- Bucktail head coach Travis Fantaskey has figured out a strategy to the district playoffs. For the first time in program history, the Bucks are heading to the PIAA 1A state playoffs in consecutive seasons following a 45-30 victory over Sullivan County.
Fantaskey, in his second year at the helm is now 5-1 in district play with two state playoff berths.
The Bucks and Griffins battled, much like they did in their meeting back in January. Both teams struggled offensively in the first half. Sullivan County forced 12 Bucktail turnovers, but failed to capitalize on said Buck miscues.
A slow and sloppy first quarter seen Bucktail take an 8-7 lead following a Talan Ditty foul line jumper. The second-seeded Griffins used a 10-9 advantage to deadlock the score at 17-17 at the half. That second quarter set the stage for a powerful third quarter for Bucktail.
Sophomore Aidan Ditty began to set the tempo for the Bucks with some gutsy defensive plays with a pair of steals that led to baskets from Gary Whipp and Gavin Pick to help Bucktail keep pace.
Bucktail fed off of Aidan Ditty’s hustle in the third quarter and began to fit into a groove. 1 of Ditty’s team-high 5 steals resulted in the first of two huge three-point baskets from Whipp to start the half. Whipp helped Bucktail race out to an 8-0 run to begin the half following a tap pass to Brody Pentz for a basket and his second three pointer from “Whippville” to give the Bucks a 25-17 lead with 6:30 remaining in the frame.
Bucktail’s momentum only continued to grow when Bucktail’s senior big man Talan Ditty drained a three with 2 minutes remaining in the third quarter to give the Bucks a 32-21 lead.
With Bucktail leading 32-24 entering the fourth quarter, the Farwell faithful received a scare when Pentz went down with an ankle injury with 7:11 remaining in the game.
Pentz returned and ignited a fire that the Griffins just couldn’t contain. His three point play with 3:44 remaining gave Bucktail a 35-27 lead. A minute later Pentz did the same to extend the Bucks’ lead to 40-27.
With 2 minutes remaining it was Gavin Pick’s turn to light things up from outside on a three pointer that ended Sullivan County’s season and gave Bucktail a 43-27 lead.
Bucktail’s 45-30 victory erased the bitter 59-56 loss they had in LaPorte on January 17.
Gary Whipp’s 15 points led Bucktail. Brody Pentz’s 14 point, 10 rebound double-double helped Bucktail control the second half. Pick finished with 7 points and 9 boards along with 2 blocked shots. Talan Ditty added 7 points, 7 rebounds and 3 steals. His brother Aidan scored just 2 points, but added a much needed energy boost to the Bucks’ defense with a team-high 5 steals.
Bucktail, now 12-12 will await Friday night’s District 11/2 finals between Bethlehem Christian and Lincoln Leadership to see who they will meet and where their PIAA playoff game will be.
Bucktail
Sullivan County 7 10 7 6 30
Bucktail-45
Pentz 6 2-4 14, Pick 3 0-0 7, Charcalla 0 0-0 0, Whipp 6 1-2 15, T. Ditty 2 2-2 7, A. Ditty 1 0-0 2, Totals- 18 5-8 45
3FG- 4 (Whipp 2, Pick, T. Ditty) Rebounds-27 (Pentz 10) Assists-7 (Pentz 2, A. Ditty 2) Steals-13 (A. Ditty 5) Blocks-4 (Pick 2, Pentz, A. Ditty)
