By Sam Brauen www.blufftonpirates.com
(OTTAWA) - In the first week of the girls' basketball season Bluffton and Arlington met in the finals of the McDonald’s Holiday Tournament. 

The Red Devils won the contest 40-39 and Bluffton hoped to get some revenge in the real tournament, the OHSAA Districts. 

Arlington led by 19 heading into the fourth quarter but Bluffton braved a valiant comeback and cut the lead to two points with one minute to go, however Arlington was a sterling 6/6 from the free line in the final minute and grabbed a 55-47 win.  It was the final game for four seniors Alivia Koenig, Averey Rumer, Katie Prater and Ashley Eachus.  

Bluffton led 10-9 after the first quarter however Arlington owned the middle two stanzas to take control of the game.  The Red Devils never employed their full court trapping press but instead focused on taking away open three pointers on the outside and relying on their superior height in the interior. The result was Bluffton only scoring 12 points in the second and third periods combined while shooting 3/22 inside the arc and 2/6 outside.  Arlington out scored Bluffton 32-12 in the middle two quarters and owned a 41-22 lead heading into the fourth quarter.  

Things finally opened up for the Pirates over the final eight minutes. BHS connected on five three pointers in the fourth quarter including three from Rumer.  Koenig and Kayla White each added another shot from distance.  Koenig was fouled on her make with 3:19 to go.  The free throw was missed but Bluffton had the lead down to 47-38.  Rumer sank two free throws and then nailed a ‘3’ with 1:45 to go to bring Bluffton within four points. Following an Arlington turnover, one of five in the fourth quarter, Koenig scored in the lane to bring the Pirates to within two.  AHS scored in transition followed by two more Koenig free throws at the 1:08 mark to set the score at 49-47.

The Pirates continued to foul and Arlington made all six free throw attempts over the final minute.  The Pirates misfired on three shots over the final minute and had a turnover as well.  Rumer scored 11 fourth quarter points and Koenig 7 as the Pirates furious rally fell just short.  

Bluffton ends the year at 19-6 and advanced to the District level of the OHSAA tournament for the first time since 2005. 

Team Statistics (unofficial)

Bluffton

2FG 9/32 (28%)

3FG (53%)

FT (41%)

REB 22

Turnovers 11

Arlington

2FG 20/42 (48%)

3FG 1/10 (10%)

FT 12/18 (67%)

REB 31 (14 offensive)

Turnovers 14

Individual Pirate Scoring

Averey Rumer - 17 points, 3/4 on 3s, 5 rebounds

Alivia Koenig - 12 points, two 3s, 4 rebounds

Kayla White - 6 points, 2/2 on 3s, 1 rebound

Katie Prater - 6 points, 2 rebounds

Brinkley Garmatter - 3 points, one 3

Ashley Eachus - 2 points, 3 rebounds

Libby Schaadt - 1 point, 8 rebounds