By Cort Reynolds

BLUFFTON__The Bluffton High School girls basketball team lost 65-33 to visiting Northwest Conference leader Crestview Thursday evening, January 11.

Knights ace Cali Gregory scored 22 points to pace the victors.

The Pirates dropped to 5-6 overall and 1-2 in NWC action with the loss. 

Crestview improved to 12-1 overall and stayed atop the NWC standings at 4-0 after the win, a half-game ahead of Delphos Jefferson (11-1, 3-0 NWC).

Junior Ayla Grandey led the Pirates with 14 points.

“Crestview is extremely talented and they showed why they are ranked third in the state,” said first-year Bluffton head coach Adam Burris. “They sped us up and caused us to have a lot of live-ball turnovers that led to easy transition buckets.

“I challenged the girls to compete in the second half, and we were almost even with them in the second half,” he continued. “So I am glad we kept fighting and didn’t give up.”

Bluffton visits former NWC foe Paulding (4-5) Saturday afternoon. Defiance Ayersville pounded the Panther girls 56-36 Thursday night.

“Hopefully we can bounce back quick and get this taste out of our mouth, and get the win Saturday against Paulding,” said Burris.