Bucktail comeback bid falls short at Millville

By Bees O’Brien

MILLVILLE, PA- Basketball is a game of runs. Some can be big, some can be small and some can be game altering. That was the case Wednesday night in Millville.

The Bucks and the Quakers hooked up in a Mid Penn Conference cross divisional battle that saw the home team use one of those game altering runs to start the game. Millville used a 14-0 first quarter run that expanded into the second quarter and ended at 17-0.

The huge opening hole would prove to be the difference maker. Bucktail outscored Millville 42-35 the remainder of the game, but turnovers and missed shots during the game’s first twelve minutes were too much for the Bucks, who dropped to 2-5 on the season. Millville improved to 3-9 on the year, but still found themselves one spot below the Bucks in the current D4 standings.

Brody Pentz led all scorers with 21 points, 19 of which would come in the second half. Brett Mason finished with 7 points, Will Steele added 6 points and Johnny Green chipped in 4 points.

The Quakers had four players reach double figures, led by Ian Ludwig’s 16 point night.

Bucktail did have some excitement in the JV contest. Johnny Green’s three-point basket with five seconds remaining in regulation would send the preliminary game into overtime. Bucktail outscored the Quakers 7-0 in the extra frame to take the 37-30 overtime win. Green led the Bucks with 10 points, which included a pair of three-point baskets.

The road won’t get easier on Saturday when the Bucks hit the road to play District 4 1A contender Sullivan County (7-5). The Griffins will be coming off their shocking 47-38 upset of Muncy on Wednesday night in Muncy.