The last time these two met, it was Montgomery winning close games. On Thursday, Montgomery had some more breathing room with a 60-43 victory.

The game started slow, with both teams struggling to get to the rim, but it was Bucktail who was able to strike first.

“The way we played in the first quarter is how we play our game. What happened in the second, third, and fourth I don’t know what happened,” commented Bucktail coach Travis Fantasky.

After the first quarter the Red Raiders started to make it to the paint and were able to make their shots by putting up 29 points in the first half while being able to hold Bucktail to 22.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Montgomery's Parker Bennett (10) looks for his shot around a pair of Bucktail defenders during a high school boys basketball game at Montgomery on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025. Montgomery won 60-43.

“We simplified the game, sometimes we make it way more complicated than it is and don’t take the time to look at what is in front of us,” Montgomery coach Junior Parrish stated. “So, we just dumbed down the game and kept it simple, we went back to fourth grade basketball.”

The Red Raiders were led by Parker Bennett who had 20 points on the night, along with Hayden Wilt who had 15 points and Damaj Stewart-Williams who had 12 points.

“I thought that Bennett was solid, and I that he touched and finished really well, but the best thing about it was that he didn’t force a single thing. I thought that he did a really good job of sharing the ball, running the sets, taking what the defense gave him and being disciplined out there,” Parrish stated.

Parrish mentioned how solid of a defensive player Stewart-Williams and Hayden Wilt were as well during Thursday’s game.

“He’s defensive player of the year, easily. It’s not even close and there is not another kid in the league that can move his feet like him,” Parrish said. “Damaj stepped up and took care of business tonight, he started uncomfortable, we simplified the game. He settled down and took what the defense gave us.”

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Montgomery's Cameron Wilver, left and Damaj Stewart-Williams reach for a loose ball during a high school boys basketball game against Bucktail at Montgomery on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025. Montgomery won 60-43.

The defense for the Red Raiders was strong coming out in the second half. The raiders were able to only allow the bucks to score 9 points in the third quarter. “I thought that there were a few possessions where we allowed them to score, but we were able to get our guys focused and on their ball handlers and get the job done,” commented Parrish.

Bucktail didn’t go down without a fight, however. The Bucks were able to score 12 points in the fourth quarter and were led by Brody Pentz who ended up with 13 points and Gary Whipp who had 12 points.

“That’s his game, I never worry about Brody. He’s gonna give me 100% all of the time,” Fantaskey said. “He usually gives us double digits, but it’s not always about the points. If you look he is a rebound and assist leader. The kid sees the floor no matter where he is and that is a special type of ball player.”

Montgomery 60, Bucktail 43

BUCKTAIL (43)

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Montgomery's Parker Bennett (10) brings the ball downcourt during a high school boys basketball game against Bucktail at Montgomery on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025. Montgomery won 60-43.

Ethan Charcalla 2 0-0 5, Gary Whipp 3 4-4 12, Brody Pentz 5 3-8 13, Nate Steele 0 0-0 0, Aiden Ditty 0 0-0 0, Teagen Stone 1 1-1 3, Leon Mathews 0 0-0 0, Sam Mansfield 0 0-0 0, William Pedokus 0 0-0 0, Gavin Pick 1 0-0 2, Stevie Heiser 0 0-0 0, Xander Shearer 0 0-0 0, Camden Barnes 0 0-0 0, Ethan Kalafut 0 0-0 0, Talon Ditty 4 0-1 8; Totals 16 8-14 43.

MONTGOMERY (60)

Hayden Wilt 6 1-1 15, Brody Denton 0 0-0 0, Damaj Stewart Williams 4 4-9 12, Parker Bennett 7 5-8 20, Cameron Wilver 0 0-0 0, Tyler Kuhn 0 0-0 0, Samson Bolden 0 0-0 0, Jace Hanford 1 3-4 5, Cody Sechrist 0 0-0 0, James Godley 0 0-0 0, Briar Persing 0 0-0 0, Ethan Tupper 0 0-0 0, Brady O’Rourke 4 0-2 8, Logan Joy 0 0-0 0, Dylan Harvey 0 0-0 0, Braiden Winter 0 0-0 0, Chase Bennett 0 0-0 0. Totals 22 13-24 60.

Bucktail 12 10 9 12 — 43

Montgomery 15 14 15 16 — 60

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Montgomery's Hayden Wilt (1) reaches for a loose ball around a pair of Bucktail defenders during a high school boys basketball game at Montgomery on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025. Montgomery won 60-43.

3-point goals: Bucktail 3 (Whipp 2, Charcalla 1), Montgomery 3 (Wilt 2, P. Bennett 1).

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Montgomery's Briar Persing (22) reaches for a shot during a high school boys basketball game against Bucktail at Montgomery on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025. Montgomery won 60-43.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Montgomery's Damaj Stewart-Williams brings the ball past a Bucktail defender during a high school boys basketball game at Montgomery on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025. Montgomery won 60-43.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Montgomery's Damaj Stewart-Williams reaches in to break up a pass during a high school boys basketball game against Bucktail at Montgomery on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025. Montgomery won 60-43.