Pirates double the score on winless McComb
By Cort Reynolds
McCOMB - Visiting Bluffton raced to a 34-point halftime lead at winless McComb and cruised to a 73-31 non-conference boys basketball win Saturday night.
The Pirates improved to 4-0 with the victory, while the Panthers fell to 0-4 with the defeat.
Bluffton led 18-1 after one period of play and stretched the margin to 45-11 by halftime to put it out of reach.
Seniors Luke Denecker and Mason Soper each scored 13 first-half points to pace the Pirates to the blowout. Denecker ended up with 15 points, while Baylor Garmatter and Soper each tallied 13. Jared Piercefield added a dozen points.
The Panthers connected on jut nine shots from the field, including one triple. The hosts converted 12 of 19 from the charity stripe (63 percent).
The Pirates sank 29 field goals, including six from three-point territory. Bluffton canned nine of 14 at the charity stripe (64 percent).
McComb 31 (0-4)
Stevens 1 2-2 4, Clark-Rader 1 0-0 2, Kreinbrink 0 4-6 4, Dishong 0 0-1 0, Sherrick 2 2-2 7, Glaser 2 1-2 5, Wasson 3 3-6 9.
Totals: 9/12-19/31. 3-pointers: Sherrick 1.
Bluffton 73 (4-0)
Deardorff 0, Schriner 3 0-2 6, Garmatter 5 2-3 13, Soper 6 0-0 13, Piercefield 5 1-1 12, Denecker 6 1-2 15, Essinger 1 0-0 2, Hohenbrink 1 4-5 7, Ault 1 1-1 3, Schaadt 1 0-0 2.
Totals: 29/9-14/73. 3-pointers: Denecker 2, Soper 1, Piercefield 1, Hohenbrink 1, Garmatter 1.
1 2 3 4 F
McC 1 10 7 13 31
Blf 18 27 17 11 73
Bluffton (2-0 away) visits defending league and Div. IV state champion Crestview (1-4, 0-1 NWC) Friday, Dec. 20. The Pirates handed the Knights their lone loss in 29 games last season with a 43-41 upset in the conference opener.
The Knights went on to share the NWC title with Columbus Grove at 7-1. Yet they are off to a slow start this season under new head coach Doug Etzler. Their lone win came in overtime against Parkway, 63-56.
Crestview dropped its league opener at Grove, 47-23.
Stories Posted This Week
Sunday, June 29, 2025
Saturday, June 28, 2025
- Community Pool closed June 28
- Weekend Doctor: About Rotator Cuff Repair
- WOAL Swim Champs in Wapakoneta July 11-12
- '60s Survivors Band plays fifth annual free concert
- Bluffton Lions to bring all-abilities playground to new Legacy Park
- July 2025 programs and services at Bluffton Public Library
- Save the date: July 17 Garden Club is all about herbs
- Bluffton Vacation Bible School, July 13-17 at Bluffton Y
Friday, June 27, 2025
- Foundation launches Rooted to Rise initiative
- Eight vehicle injury crash IR 75 in Hancock County
- Bluffton Mayor commends Safety Services on June 26 injury accident response
- What's in your weekend?, June 27-28-29
- Go wolfhound to Bluffton
- Letter: Ask for veto of HB 96 library provision
- ODNR Offering Hunter Education Instructor Classes
Thursday, June 26, 2025
- Bluffton safety services respond to multi-vehicle accidents on I-75
- Travel opportunities update from Bluffton Senior Center
- Send July 2025 Community Calendar items to the Icon
- National Night Out is August 5, planning is in final stages
- Bluffton Senior Center activities schedule for July 2025
- Does your business have summer hours? Post them on the Icon
- Bluffton, Ohio ranks 4th in Ohio for bike network quality