By Cort Reynolds
BLUFFTON - Tournament host Bluffton got off to an early lead and held on to defeat Arlington 54-46 in the finals of its annual McDonald's Holiday Invitational Saturday night.

Senior Luke Denecker led the victors with 23 points in the championship game to win tournament MVP honors. He sank 11 of 12 free throws and two three-point goals to pace the victors.

Senior Jared Piercefield contributed 16 points, while classmate Mason Soper added nine markers.

Members of the all tournament team - 
Luke Denecker from Bluffton was the Tournament MVP.  
Mitchell Coleman (Continental)
Carson Houck (Cory Rawson)
Jaret Vermillion (Arlington)
Zavier Thornton (Arlington)
Mason Soper (Bluffton)
Jared Piercefield (Bluffton)

The Pirates led 13-4 after the first period and 23-15 at halftime. Arlington edged within 35-30 heading to the final quarter, but could not overcome the Pirates.

Bluffton sank 11 of 14 crucial free throws in the fourth quarter as they outscored the Red Devils, 19-16. 

Bluffton improved to 7-0 with the championship win over Arlington, while the Red Devils fell to 7-2 with the defeat.

Piercefield tallied eight fourth period points while Denecker netted seven in the final stanza. 

Jaret Vermillion led Arlington with 17 points, but he was the lone Red Devil in double figures.

The Pirates connected on 17 baskets in 46 tries from the field (37 percent), including two of 13 from three-point range (15 percent). Bluffton canned 15 of 33 two-pointers (45 percent). 

The Pirates shot 18 of 24 from the charity stripe (75 percent). 

The Red Devils sank 14 of 50 field goals (28 percent). They made three of 20 from three-point land (15 percent) and 11 of 30 inside the arc (37 percent). Arlington converted 15 of 21 at the charity stripe (71 percent).

Arlington out-rebounded Bluffton, 28-21. Denecker led the hosts with seven rebounds, while Piercefield and Soper each pulled down five boards. Denecker added three assists and two steals.

The Devils made just seven turnovers while the Pirates committed 10 miscues.

Arlington 46 (7-2)
Vermillion 9 6-8 17, Comstock 2 0-1 5, Thornton 2 4-5 8, Webb 2 4-4 8, Gast 2 0-0 5, Speyer 1 1-3 3.
Totals: 14-50/15-21/46. 3-pointers (3-20): Vermillion 1, Comstock 1, Gast 1.

Bluffton 54 (7-0)
Schriner 0, Garmatter 1 0-2 2, Soper 4 1-4 9, Piercefield 6 4-4 16, Denecker 5 11-12 23, Essinger 1 0-0 2, Hohenbrink 0 2-2 2. 
Totals: 17-46/18-24/54. 3-pointers (2-13): Denecker 2. 
 
    1    2    3    4    F
Arl    4    11    15    16    46
Blf    13     10    12    19    54

BHS 67 C-R 35 - semifinals
Bluffton hammered Cory-Rawson 67-35 in the semifinals Friday night to improve to 6-0 and advance to the finals. Arlington beat Continental 62-47 in the first semifinal Friday evening. 

Bryce Gast scored 21 points to lead Arlington past Continental in the semis. The Red Devils nailed 11 three-point goals and shot 11-12 from the foul line in the win. 

Overall, Arlington made 20 of 48 shots from the floor. Mitchell Coleman led Continental with 25 points.

C-R takes third place
Cory-Rawson edged Continental 41-39 in the third-place consolation game Saturday as Hornet Carson Hauck poured in 28 points. Struggling Continental fell to 2-8 with the defeat, while C-R improved to 3-5. 

Pirates Soper and Piercefield joined MVP Denecker on the all-tournament team. Coleman and Hauck, plus Vermillion and Zavier Thornton of Arlington were also named to the six-man all-tourney squad.

The 7-0 Pirates host undefeated Ottawa-Glandorf (8-0) Saturday, Jan. 4 in a battle of unbeatens.