Buck Boys Go Out with a Win
by Jim Morgan
FARWELL – Last Friday night was a special night for the four Bucktail High School Seniors Chuck Probst, Trent Risley, Luke Linberg and Charlie Lefort. Out of this group of seniors you have two good athletes and two boys who try their hardest to be part of the team. The two athletes Probst and Risley, who ran the Bucks offense and defense all season long, ended up being the lead scorers against Montgomery as the Bucks (9-13) won their final game of the season 64-48.
Each of them ended up with 19 points. They combined for over 800 of the total 1225 points that the Bucks scored this season. Each had an outstanding season as they combined for 69% from the charity stripe, shooting 42% from the field. Those my friends are good numbers for scoring in high school basketball.
Then you have basketball players like Linberg and Lefort that try to better themselves. But most of all they just want to be part of the team. Go to practice and get the exercise and be one of the guys. When they are put into the game, everybody is waiting for that magical moment of a rebound, stealing the ball, the perfect pass on a fast break; most of all when they score and to hear the crowd go wild. Well, Lefort had that moment as the final seconds were ticking off the clock. Bucktail players trying so hard to have Lefort score as a varsity player, kept giving him the ball after each rebound. Then the last attempt as the horn was sounding it when through the net. Everybody erupted as the Bucks stormed the floor to congratulate Lefort on the basket.
Yes, for players like Lefort and Linberg that’s all they want out of the game. Just one time to hear that roar of the crowd, as players like Probst and Risley get to hear the roar more often then they. It’s those moments that make it all worth being part of the team.
In the first quarter, nobody was giving in as they ended tying 15-15. Probst and Risley contributing as they found junior Ryan Fantaskey underneath for more scoring as he ended up with 12 points. Montgomery’s big guy was killing the Bucks in the middle as they could not come up with an answer until the middle of the second quarter. Cole of Montgomery had 14 of his total 16 points just like that.
With Montgomery putting the stops to Probst, Risley and Fantaskey combined for 12 of the total 14 points in quarter two as the Bucks led 29-23 at halftime.
In the second half, the Bucks defense was adjusted by Coach Dave Pentz as Montgomery only scored 25 total points to Bucktail’s 35 points. Montgomery could not find anybody with a hot hand. Probst scored 14 of his total 19 points in the second half. Nobody could stop him from driving and dishing as he ended up with 6 assists.
Coach Pentz was very pleased on the Bucks final game as Montgomery won the first match 55-44. In the JV game, it was a thriller as the Bucks won in overtime 49-46 over Montgomery. Kiefer Mason was the high scorer for the Bucks with 13 points.
Now we can start to think spring? See you on the diamond in March.
Montgomery 15 8 7 18-48
Bucks 15 14 13 22-64
Bucks: Trent Risley 7 1-2 19, Willie Hopkins 0 1-3 1, Chuck Probst 7 5-6 19, Josh Knauff 3 1-1 7, Ryan Prebble 1 2-2 4, Ryan Fantaskey 4 4-6 12, Charlie Lefort 1 0-0 2, Total: 23 14-20 64
Montgomery: m. Alexander 5 1-2 12, M. Bartlett 5 0-0 12, S. Cole 7 2-2 16, E. goodyear 1 0-2 2, C. St. James 2 0-0 6, J. Hines 0 0-0 0, Total: 20 3-6 48
3-Pointers: Bucks 4 (Risley 4) Mont. 5 (Alexander, Bartlett 2, St. James 2).
Bucks JV: Tristen Schelb 1 0-0 2, Tyler Riggle 1 1-2 3, Derrick Long 5 0-0 12, Kiefer mason 6 0-1 13, Mike Casper 3 1-1 7, Josh Knauff 0 9-12 9, Trent Bixler 1 1-1 3, Total: 17 12-17 49.
