Bucktail boys open postseason at Sullivan County Tuesday
By Bees O’Brien
FARWELL, PA- Pairings for the District 4 quarterfinal round have been posted and the Bucktail Bucks will travel to Sullivan County on Tuesday night. Bucktail knows heading into their trip to Laporte to face the number two seed Griffins that they are huge underdogs. The Griffins already own a 75-26 victory over the Bucks this season, but this is a different Bucktail team.
They’re much improved since that Mid-January loss, but they have every intention to give Sullivan County everything they can handle.
The 6-14 Bucks dropped heartbreakers to Galeton and Austin in the past two weeks and were only 6 points away from hosting a quarterfinal game. Instead they drew a 7 seed and will make the nearly two hour trip to Sullivan County in hopes of extending their season.
Brody Pentz will be a defensive focal point for the Griffins. Pentz scored 10 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in their last meeting. He’s collected 12 double-doubles this season, second best in District 4. He’s coming off of a 21-point, 16 rebound game in the Bucks’ final regular season game against Austin.
The Mid Penn second team selection is not the only one that has emerged this season. Mid Penn honorable mentions Johnny Green and Gary Whipp will be depended on heavily if Bucktail is to have a chance.
Green has scorched opponents from three but has recently developed a strong ability to cut to the basket down the stretch and turned the once one dimensional threat into a complete player. Green’s season best performance was a 19-point effort at South Williamsport.
Whipp has scored 20-plus points in multiple games down the stretch, but it’s been his defensive abilities that have stood out. He’s a threat in the open court and if Bucktail has a fighting chance, they will need offensive production from Whipp.
Brett Mason has found his touch on offense. Something the Bucks will need against the Griffins. Mason netted 9 points against Austin on Thursday night.
“Brett has been shooting better.” Head coach Mike Charcalla said. “We’re going to need him to hit some shots.”
The biggest x-factor coming into Tuesday’s contest will be Will Steele. Steele had a standout freshman season and a productive season last year. Steele was all over the place against Austin and Montgomery. He has had some productive JV games and that has helped him during varsity contests. He’s often the smallest player on the court, but he can be a dangerous playmaker. His ability to break that sinister Sullivan press will be key.
Injured forward Kyler Friese is questionable for Tuesday’s contest, so Coach Charcalla will need to rely on his slim bench if foul trouble becomes an issue. Reserve guard Ethan Charcalla and reserve forward Xander Shearer could be called on at times to spell the shorthanded Bucks a break.
Sullivan County is led by Mid Penn Conference first teamer Ben Carpenter. Carpenter scored 12 points in the first meeting. MPC honorable mention Riley King netted 16 and Trey Higley can score in bulk.
Sullivan County is the tournament favorite despite being the 2 seed. Northumberland Christian, the 1 seed hosts Meadowbrook Christian. Cowanesque Valley drew the 4 spot and will host Galeton. NP-Liberty rounds out the quarterfinals and will host Lourdes Regional.
The Liberty/Lourdes winner will face the Bucktail/Sullivan winner on Saturday with a state playoff berth on the line.
