By Cort Reynolds

LIMA__The visiting Bluffton High School girls basketball squad dominated Lima Central Catholic 64-20 in a non-league mismatch Thursday night, December 7.

“We came out and played a full four quarters for the first time this year, and put a complete game together,” said head coach Adam Burris. 

“I think our size inside with Ayla (Grandey) gave them issues on the offensive end, and I think our athleticism on defense gave them problems with handling our zone defense.

“We worked the ball inside-out on offense, and that’s what we have to do to win games,” he continued. “I was happy with our effort, and it was a total team win.”

Bluffton evened its mark at 2-2 with the blowout road win, while LCC is 1-5.

Bluffton junior post Ayla Grandey poured in all 16 of her points in the first half. She canned five baskets in the first period alone.

 Pirate Macy Schaadt contributed 13 points with two triples. Blair Utendorf added eight makers.

The  Pirates led 15-5 after the opening stanza, and stretched the margin to 31-10 at intermission. Schaadt canned two treys and scored eight points in the third period to balloon the big cushion to 50-15.

LCC was held to five points in each of the four quarters.

Bluffton canned 20 two-point goals and drained five trifectas. The Pirates converted nine of 14 at the charity stripe (64 percent).

The T-Birds sank just five deuces, one trey and made one of four foul shots (25 percent).

1 2 3 4 F

Blf 15 16 19 14 64

LCC 5 5 5 5 20

Bluffton’s scheduled game at Defiance this past Tuesday was postponed and rescheduled for December 19. 

Up next, the Pirates (0-0 NWC) host defending champion Delphos Jefferson (5-0, 1-0 NWC) Thursday, December 14 in the Bluffton league opener. 

“We have another tough one opening up the conference Thursday against Delphos Jefferson,” Burris noted.