That historic reality is made all the more impressive when considering how much of last year’s District 4 Class A title-winning squad graduated ahead of this campaign. Pentz and Whipp were the lone remnants of its core, as 1000-point scorer Braylon Fantaski, Brett Mason, Will Steele and Johnny Green marked four voids that needed to be filled if it wanted to run it back.

And fill them, Bucktail managed to do.

It’s been a process, as the team started the season dropping five of its first seven games. But like last year’s campaign, it found its footing through the latter portion of the season and prospered where it counted, closing out the regular season going 8-6 before winning two of three through districts.

When it comes to their keys to success, Bucktail’s players credit multiple different aspects of their group.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Bucktail's head coach Travis Fantasky meets with his players after a PIAA District 4 Class A boys playoff game against Sullivan County at Loyalsock Township on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025. Bucktail won 45-30.

“Proficiency in practice,” said Pentz on the keys to maintaining that success. “We go hard at practice every day and play with our guys every Sunday, just get those reps in and that chemistry on the court we need to win these games.”

“Teamwork,” said Whipp following a similar question. “When we play as a team, we win. When we start arguing, we play really bad. That’s how it’s been since I’ve played here.”

Alongside Pentz and Whipp, who stepped in as a starter after kicking off the 2023-24 season as a sixth man, Gavin Pick, Talan Ditty, Aiden Ditty and Ethan Charcalla have all made an impact to put the Bucks in their current position.

Against Sullivan County, Talan Ditty and Pick each put up 7-point, 9-rebound outings, forcefully hitting the boards while also hitting crucial threes in the third and fourth respectively. Aiden Ditty added three assists and two steals and Charcalla played sound defense, the latter which scored six straight points to kick off a crucial run in an earlier win against South Williamsport.

“That was another team game,” said Fantaskey on the effort against the Griffins. “Nobody was frustrated. We had turnover after turnover, nobody got upset. We just got back on defense and did our thing.”

Whatever happens in the coming weeks, as the team prepares for a tough challenge on the road against District 11’s champion, this team has already accomplished something no other Bucktail squad has done – making states two times in a row. The players have bought in to second-year head coach Travis Fantaskey’s gameplan, and that’s paved the way to unprecedented success.

And the goings don’t end here.