By Cort Reynolds

PAULDING - The visiting Bluffton High School boys basketball team lost its season opener 53-51 at Paulding High School on Saturday, November 26. 

The Pirates trailed 11-7 after the first period, but pulled ahead 27-26 at halftime. 

Carson Soper drained three triples in the second stanza, and Marek Donaldson drilled two trifectas in the same stanza to give the Pirates a slim edge.

The Panthers regained control with a 13-6 third period to lead 39-33 heading to the final stanza. The only Pirates in the period came on triples by Wade Ginther and Donaldson.

Bluffton won the fourth stanza 18-14, but came up just short by a basket.  

Bluffton starts the season 0-1 with the close defeat, while Paulding improved to 2-0 with the win.

Soper led the Pirates with 18 points on the strength of four trifectas. Ginther tallied 11 points, while Kaden Lora scored 10. Donaldson added nine points on three treys.

The Pirates connected on 17 field goals, hitting seven two-pointers and 10 trifectas. Bluffton converted seven of 12 free throws (58 percent).  

Paulding sank 19 field goals - seven from three-point territory, and 12 baskets inside the arc. The Panthers canned eight of 15 attempts from the charity stripe (53 percent).

Bluffton committed 13 turnovers, while Paulding made 10 miscues.

Paulding 53 (1-0)

Zartman 3 2-2 8, Adams 3 3-4 12, Agler 4 1-2 11, Manz 4 2-6 10, Reeb 1 0-1 2, Foltz 4 0-0 10.

Totals: 12-7/8-15/53. 3-pointers: Agler 2, Foltz 2, Manz 1.

Bluffton 51 (0-1)

Soper 5 4-6 18, Donaldson 3 0-0 9, Ginther 4 1-2 11, Boblitt 1 0-0 3, Lora 4 2-4 10. 

Totals: 7-10/7-12/51. 3-pointers: Soper 4, Donaldson 3, Ginther 2, Boblitt 1. 

1 2 3 4 F

Pau 11 15 13 14 53

Blf 7 20 6 18 51

The Pirates visit perennial power Ottawa-Glandorf Friday, December 2. Bluffton then entertains Liberty-Benton (1-0) in the home opener Dec. 3.