Marek Donaldson pours in 11 fourth quarter points; Ginther scores 9 in the first

By Cort Reynolds

The defending Northwest Conference champion Bluffton High School boys basketball team rallied in the second half to defeat visiting Delphos Jefferson 49-42 in the league opener Friday night, December 9.

The Pirates led 13-11 after the first period, but they trailed 24-21 at halftime. 

The Pirates regained the lead with a defensive 10-4 third quarter to go in front 31-28 heading to the final stanza.

Marek Donaldson poured in 11 fourth quarter points to lead Bluffton to an 18-14 period win. 

The Pirates outscored the Wildcats 28-18 in the second half.

Bluffton improved to 1-3 with the victory, while DJ dropped to 2-2 (0-1 NWC) with the loss.

Wade Ginther led the Pirates with a career-high 19 points, 14 of which came in the first half. Ginther scored nine in the opening stanza, and drained three treys in the contest.

Donaldson tallied 13 points, and Landen Worcester added eight. Two of Worcester's four baskets came in the decisive fourth period.

Trent Teman led Jefferson with 17 points, nine of which came in the final period. 

The Pirates connected on 19 field goals, hitting 13 two-pointers and six trifectas. Bluffton converted five of 12 (42 percent).

DJ hit on 17 field goals, with five three from three-point territory and 12 baskets inside the arc. 

The Wildcats canned three of five attempts from the charity stripe (60 percent).

Bluffton committed just five turnovers, while DJ made 18 costly errors.

DJ 42 (2-2, 0-1 NWC)

Teman 8 1-2 17, Gallmeier 1 2-2 4, Miller 3 0-0 9, Carder 2 0-0 6, Bailey 1 0-0 2, Agner 1 0-1 2, Rode 1 0-0 2.

Totals: 12-5/3-5/42. 3-pointers: Miller 3, Carder 2.

Bluffton 49 (1-3, 1-0 NWC)

Donaldson 4 3-4 13, Soper 1 1-5 3, Ginther 8 0-0 19, Worcester 4 0-0 8, Boblitt 0, Lora 1 1-3 4, Yoder 1 0-0 2, Hilty 0. 

Totals: 13-6/5-12/49. 3-pointers: Ginther 3, Donaldson 2, Lora 1. 

1 2 3 4 F

DJ 11 13 4 14 42

Blf 13 8 10 18 49

Bluffton entertains McComb (1-2) Saturday, Dec. 10 in a non-league outing. The Panthers lost 40-34 at Van Buren Friday. McComb also fell 66-45 at Ada Dec. 3.