By Sam Brauen www.blufftonpirates.com
(LIMA) – Bluffton ran into a buzzsaw in the OHSAA District Semifinals Thursday in the form of Ottawa-Glandorf.
The Titans recently got their roster back to full strength and put on full display in a 68-30 defeat of the Pirates. Bluffton finishes the season 16-8. Ottawa-Glandorf moves on to the District Final to take on Coldwater, which upset undefeated and state-ranked Archbold in the earlier game Thursday evening.
OG quickly established a 14-2 lead in the first quarter as Bluffton turned the ball over six times in the game’s first eight minutes. The Titan press was daunting as the Pirates struggled to get off a shot.
Nursing a 17-6 lead after one quarter, OG continued to press into the second. While Bluffton began to break the pressure, the Titans went to work on the offensive glass. Three offensive rebounds led to six Titan points in the second quarter alone.
OG also hit two 3s to end the quarter and extend the halftime lead out to 39-14. Ottawa-Glandorf buried 5/7 three point attempts in the third quarter as they pulled away completely, leaving a running clock and reserves to the finish the game.
Even though the result was not what Bluffton fans hoped for, the Pirates were on display. Mason Soper led Bluffton with 11 points including two 3s. Jared Piercefield swept to the rim often on his way to 8 points.
Luke Denecker scored 7, including a three ball. Baylor Garmatter hustled and fought for rebounds against taller opponents; the junior scored two points from the free throw line.
McCormick Ault scored a sweet reverse layup off an inbounds play for two points and Levi Hohenbrink was active on defense and grabbed two boards. The Pirates lose no seniors and will be back for the 2019-20 season.
Team Statistics
Bluffton
2FG – 6/22
3FT – 4/17
Free Throws – 6/10
Rebounds – 13
Turnovers – 13
Ottawa-Glandorf
2FG – 20/33
3FG – 8/21
Free Throws – 4/6
Rebounds – 30
Turnovers – 2
