By Sam Brauen www.blufftonpirates.com
It’s been awhile since Pirate fans stormed the court but they rightfully did so after Bluffton toppled reigning Northwest Conference champion Crestview by a 43-41 score.
Luke Denecker dropped in 19 points, including four three pointers to lead the Pirate offense. Denecker also matched up on defense for about half the game with Crestview’s leading scorer, Javin Etzler.
The Bluffton University women's basketball team defeated Franklin College in dominating fashion as they coasted to a 69-52 victory on Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018. The win pushed the Beavers to 3-6 on the season (2-2 in HCAC). Franklin dropped to 2-6 on the year (1-3 in HCAC).
The first quarter was a back-and-forth battle between the Beavers and the Grizzlies as the teams went bucket for bucket with the score being 16-14 in favor of Bluffton at the end of period one. The Beavers had six contributors to the scoring column as it was a balanced effort from the start.
The Bluffton University men's basketball team ran the Franklin College Grizzlies out of the gym on Saturday, Dec. 15, as they stomped them 74-52 in an HCAC tilt. The only time the Beavers trailed during the game was at 2-0 and it lasted for a sum total of 14 seconds. It was all Beavers the rest of the way. The team as a whole played superbly as the Beavers improved to 7-2 overall and 3-1 in the HCAC, while Franklin fell to 3-6 and 2-2 in the conference.
By Sam Brauen, www.blufftonpirates.com
The Pirate Cutthroat wrestling team has won the 2018 Allen County Invitational held at LCC this past weekend.
Deandre Nassar (195) and Tayton Kleman (106) each won their class and all but one Pirate wrestlers placed in the top 5 of their class to earn the team win.
The Pirates competed against larger schools such as Elida, Shawnee, Bath and Lima Senior in addition to other Division III schools Allen East, Spencerville, Jefferson, LCC, and Delphos St John’s.
Bluffton school board will take the next step on Monday to place two renewal levies on the May 7, 2019, Ohio primary election ballot. In November the board went on record to pursue the renewals. Monday’s action will state the board’s intent to proceed with placing the levies on the ballot.
The first renewal is for the permanent improvement one-half percent income tax first passed in May of 2007. It is renewed in three-year. It will expire Dec. 31, 2019, and generates $700,000 per year for the school district.
Luther L. Shetler, 101, of Bluffton died Dec. 15, 2018, at the Mennonite Memorial Home in Bluffton. A Memorial Service will be held at a later date. Arrangements are incomplete at Chiles-Laman Funeral & Cremation Services, Bluffton.
