Buck Boys Bounce Back, Bounce Benton
by Jim Morgan
FARWELL – After two tough road losses this past week, Bucktail (4-4) bounced back with an impressive Monday night win over Benton 59-48. Right now it seems like the Bucks are very comfortable on their home court. Senior Trent Bixler was out this game and will miss Wednesday’s game against Muncy.
It was an all around team effort on this victory. Seniors stepped up to the challenge against the Tigers as Ryan Prebble grabbed down 11 rebounds while being the game high scorer with 21 points, giving Prebble his first double-double on the season. Josh Knauff ripped down a career high of 19 rebounds as he missed a double-double, scoring 9 points. Tristan Shelb missed his double-double also as he scored 10 points and had 9 rebounds. Derrick Long scored from the outside with 14 points.
Benton came out in the first quarter on fire as they extended the lead to 8 points. But Bucktail finished the quarter out with a 6-0 run to cut the score to 16-12 at the end of the quarter. Again Benton extended the lead to 8 points before the Bucks finished strong before halftime, the Bucks going into the locker room only down by three (32-29) Benton.
Bucktail came out in the third quarter and just went right at the Tigers as all five players were adding points on the scoreboard. Bucktail’s defense was intense as they out-scored the Tigers 14-5 and to grab the lead once and for all. Benton would not go away in the fourth quarter as they got to within two points of the Bucks. Bucktail would answer right back. Benton came out in a press with 2:43 left in the game. Only to see the Bucks take control of the ball and breaking the press with patients and crisp passes.
Last Friday it was not a happy trip up to Sullivan County as the Griffins just out-manned the Bucks 74-23 as Prebble lead the team with 10 points. The Bucks could not find their offense at all during the game. Sullivan County played a tough man-to-man defense. Sullivan County has a good student section when they are there at a game. The student body gets into the opponents’ head and takes you right out of the game. SC proved that as they were up 47-12 at halftime.
Bucktail could not find themselves in the second half as well as the Bucks could not score in double figures in a quarter this game. They could not find the basket or as they say, could not get the lid off the rim.
Last Wednesday, Bucktail traveled to Warrior Run as the Defenders were just more powerful than the Bucks on this night as WR won 82-55. Just when you think you have balanced scoring on your team and found out on this night, that is not good enough for the win. According to coach Dave Pentz, the Bucks played good in the first quarter but in the second quarter “we just fell apart (WR outscored the Bucks 23-3). We had all the shots in the world and could not capitalize on one made basket.”
Turnovers were hurting the Bucks as they had 8 each in the first two quarters. “That is no help on our part,” Coach Pentz mentioned. “There again we are on enemy home court and your mind has to be on basketball. Not what is going on around you from the fans.” The Bucks could not get to the boards for rebounds as they boxed out very well.
Bucktail will travel to Muncy on Wednesday for a 6:30 PM start.
| Dec. 16, 2015 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | TOTAL |
| BUCKTAIL | 14 | 3 | 21 | 17 | 55 |
| WARRIOR RUN | 17 | 23 | 17 | 25 | 82 |
Bucktail 55, Warrior Run 82
WR (82)
C. Rodgers 2 0-3 4, I. Lininger 3 1-2 10, G. Anzulavich 3 0-0 6, B. Frazier 4 1-3 9, N. McCornack 5 0-0 10, K. Welshans 7 5-6 25, L. Burrows 3 1-2 7, C. Hoffman 1 1-2 3, M. Truckenmiller 1 0-0 2, T. Peace 3 0-1 6Total: 32 9-19 82.
Bucks (55)
Deshawn Johnson 0 0-0 0, Derrick Long 4 2-4 11, Vincent Dimatti 0 0-0 0, Mike Casper 4 2-4 11, Tristan Shelb 3 6-12 12, Josh Knauff 3 2-3 8, Aaron Lucas 0 0-0 0, Trent Bixler 1 0-0 2, Ryan Prebble 5 1-4 11, Total: 20 13-27 55.
3-point goals: WR 9 (Lininger 3, Welshans 6), Bucks 2 (Long, Casper)
JV Game: Bucktail 20 Warrior Run 64
| Dec. 18, 2015 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | TOTAL |
| BUCKTAIL | 4 | 8 | 4 | 7 | 23 |
| SULLIVAN COUNTY | 19 | 28 | 16 | 11 | 74 |
Bucktail 23, Sullivan County 74
SC (74)
J. Pedro 3 2-2 9, L. Shultz 10 2-4 25, M. Rodriguez 3 1-1 9, J. Pedro 2 0-0 4, A. Baumunk 2 4-5 8, N. Brown 1 0-0 3, S. Gordner 1 0-0 2, T. Baldwin 2 0-0 4, J. Saxe 4 2-4 10, Total: 28 11-16 74.
Bucks (23)
Deshawn Johnson 0 0-0 0, Derrick Long 0 1-2 1, Vincent Dimatti 2 0-0 4, Mike Casper 2 0-0 4, Tristan Shelb 1 0-0 2, Josh Knauff 0 0-1 0, Aaron Lucas 0 0-0 0, Trent Bixler 0 2-4 2, Ryan Prebble 4 2-8 10, Total: 9 5-15 23.
3-point goals: SC 7 (Jon Pedro, Shultz 3, Rodriguez 2, Brown), Bucks 0
| Dec. 21, 2015 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | TOTAL |
| BENTON | 16 | 16 | 5 | 11 | 48 |
| BUCKTAIL | 12 | 17 | 14 | 16 | 59 |
Bucktail 59, Benton 48
Benton (74)
J. Klock 6 1-2 13, A. Martin 0 0-0 0, A. Branas 1 0-0 2, Jake Klock 8 0-0 14, C. Klock 2 0-0 5, L. Karscher 5 0-0 12, T. Young 1 0-0 2, Total: 21 1-2 48.
Bucks (59)
Derrick Long 5 3-4 14, Vincent Dimatti 0 0-0 0, Mike Casper 2 1-2 5, Tristan Shelb 4 2-4 10, Josh Knauff 3 3-6 9, Aaron Lucas 0 0-0 0, Ryan Prebble 9 3-6 21, Total: 23 12-22 59. 3-point goals: Benton 5 (Jake Klock 2, C. Klock, Karscher 2), Bucks 1 (Long)
JV Game: Bucktail 18 Benton 44
High Scorer: Kenney Winkelman 4
