• BHS GIRLS' GAME SUMMARY ALSO IN THIS STORY -

By Sam Brauen www.blufftonpirates.com
Bluffton's boys basketball team got off to a hot start, jumping out a 13-2 lead after one quarter on their way to a 50-31 romp in Leipsic Friday night. 

The Pirates built a 25-12 halftime lead and maintained their advantage throughout the second half.  Junior Jared Piercefield led Bluffton with 17 points and Baylor Garmatter added 11 points and 6 rebounds.  The Pirates are 1-0 on the season (0-0 Northwest Conference record)

Keys to the Game
24 fouls were called in the first half alone and the game was physical from tip off

Junior guard Luke Denecker caught an elbow to the face in the opening minutes and got a nasty gash.  The game was stopped for some time to clean up the court while Luke was tended to.

Baylor Garmatter connected on a pair of 3s while Levi Hohenbrink and Jonathan Schriner each hit another 3

Leipsic won the rebounding battle 34-33 but Bluffton won the turnover margin 22-19

Bluffton shot 19/40 from the field (48%)

Cole Rieman and Dylan Schroeder led Leipsic in scoring with 11 points each

Bluffton won the Junior Varsity contest by a 37-30 score

Individual Pirate Statistics
Jared Piercefield  17 points, two 3s
Baylor Garmatter  11 points, one 3, 6 rebounds
Mason Soper  8 points
Levi Hohenbrink  5 points
Mickey Ault  4 points
Jonathan Schriner  3 points
Luke Denecker 2 points

What's Next
Bluffton will travel to Bath Friday December 7 to take on the Wildcats

BLUFFTON HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS'
Alivia Koenig scored 15 second half points as Bluffton dispatched Fort Jennings 61-44 Saturday afternoon in Pirate Gymnasium. 

After a quiet first quarter, Bluffton roared to life scoring 15 points in the second quarter and 18 in the third.  They needed all the points they could muster as the Musketeers would not go away quietly.  Bluffton improved to 2-1 on the season with the win.

Keys to the Game
- Averey Rumer sparked an 11-0 run to end the first quarter after Bluffton fell behind 5-0. Rumer got a steal and made a layup while being fouled for Bluffton's first points.  Bluffton led 11-5 after one quarter. 

- BHS implemented full court pressure and then would drop back into a 2-3 zone in the second quarter and Muskies couldn't figure it out.  The Pirates forced 9 first half turnovers on their way to a 30-15 halftime lead. 

- FJHS found their groove in the third quarter, dropping in 22 points. They were intentional about going to the post and connected on 7/10 field goals in the quarter. For balance, the visitors connected on two 3s as well.  With 35 seconds left, a Musketeer jump shot cut the Pirate lead to 45-37.  Bluffton was able to halt the momentum as Koenig buried a '3' off an assist from Brinkley Garmatter.  Katie Prater opened the fourth quarter with another shot from downtown which pushed the Pirate lead back to 14 points. These two baskets were very important in the course of the game. 

- Another 11-0 run to start the fourth quarter gave the Pirates a comfortable cushion to work with.  Rumer assisted Koenig on a fast break layup for a 61-39 lead with 2:40 to go.  Rumer was selfless on the day, dishing out 7 assists.  

Pirate Individual Statistics
Alivia Koenig 18 points, one 3, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 7/8 from free throw line
Averey Rumer 11 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists, 5/6 from the field
Katie Prater 11 points, 3 rebounds, 2 steals
Kayla White 8 points, two 3s, 2 rebounds, 2 assists
Libby Schaadt 8 points
Laykin Garmatter 3 points
Brinkley Garmatter 2 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist
Ashley Eachus 3 rebounds
Kylie Stackhouse 1 rebound

Team Statistics

Bluffton
2 PT FG 16/30
3 PT FG 6/11
Free Throws 10/13
Rebounds 20 (6 offensive)
Turnovers 18

Fort Jennings
2 PT FG 13/38
3 PT FG 3/7
Free Throws 7/11
Rebounds 20 (9 offensive)
Turnovers 22

What's Next
Bluffton will host Ada on Thursday.  The junior varsity contest will tip off at 6 p.m. and will only have two quarters.  

Game photos by Marvin Foster : https://www.usedcoffeebeans.com