The Bluffton High School girls basketball team lost to Kalida 41-36 in girls Div. IV sectional final action on the campus of Bluffton University Monday, February 21.

The Lady Pirates mustered just 12 combined points in the second and third quarters to see their season come to an end.

Bluffton ended up with a 16-7 record after the loss, while Kalida improved to 13-11 with the victory. The victors advanced to the Van Wert district semifinals Thursday, Feb. 24 against Columbus Grove (16-6).

A trio of seniors led Bluffton in their final game for the Pirates.

Point guard Sami Scoles led the team with 15 points and eight rebounds. Scoles knocked down all three Bluffton treys.

Wing Kylie Monday contributed 12 points and seven caroms. Post Kylie Stackhouse added seven points and four boards.

The Pirates led 12-10 after the first quarter. Kalida pulled ahead 22-15 at halftime by limiting Bluffton to just three points in the second stanza.

Bluffton inched within 29-24 after a low-scoring third period. The teams played to a 12-12 fourth quarter tie.

Senior guard Brooke Vennekotter led Kalida with 13 points and five caroms. Sophomore point guard Andrea Burgei buried four triples to net a dozen markers. 

Bluffton sank 11 baskets, canning eight two-pointers and three trifectas. They converted 11 of 16 free tosses (69 percent).

Kalida knocked down just nine baskets, including a mere three deuces but hitting six triples. They canned 17 of 26 foul shots (65 percent).

The Wildcats outscored Bluffton 17-11 from the foul line to provide the five-point margin of victory.

Kalida 41 (13-11)

Vennekotter 3-6-13, Burgei 4-0-12, Erhart 1-5-8, Recker 0-5-5, Bockrath 1-0-2, Unverferth 0-1-1.

Totals: 3-6/17-26/41. 3-pointers: Burgei 4, Vennekotter 1, Erhart 1.

Bluffton 36 (16-7)

Busch 0, Eachus 0, Monday 4-4-12, Scoles 4-4-15, Grandey 1-0-2, Stackhouse 2-3-7, Giesige 0.

Totals: 8-3/11-16/36. 3-pointers: Scoles 3.

1 2 3 4 F

Kal 10 12 7 12 41

Blu 12 3 9 12 36