By Cort Reynolds

BLUFFTON__The Bluffton High School boys basketball team led for the first three quarters, but got outscored 20-8 in the final period to lose 70-66 to Paulding in their non-conference regular season finale Friday, February 23.

The Pirates led 24-15 after a high-scoring opening stanza. Blake Sommers poured in 13 points and nailed three triples in the first quarter to lead the early offensive onslaught.

Bluffton maintained a 42-33 edge at halftime following an 18-17 second stanza that saw Wade Ginther score six points. 

Panther junior Kane Jones tallied 11 of his 27 points in the third quarter to inch the Panthers within 58-50 heading to the fourth period. Bluffton went cold in the final quarter, making just two baskets.

Paulding sophomore Blake Rhonehouse scored 11 points in the fourth period to pace the Panther rally.

Bluffton dropped to 17-5 overall after the loss. The Pirates ended up in a tie for second in the NWC with Crestview at 6-2, behind champion Spencerville (8-0). 

Meanwhile, Paulding finished the regular season 13-9 after recording the comeback win.

Sommers led the Pirates with 20 points. Donaldson scored 10 points and Wade Ginther added nine. Terron Boblitt and Landen Worcester chipped in with eight points apiece.

Rhonehouse ended up with 15 points, while Casey Agler added 12 markers for the Panthers. Jones tallied 13 points in the first half, and netted 14 after intermission.

Bluffton connected on 19 two-point goals and drilled seven triples.  

The Pirates converted seven of 11 shots from the free throw line (64 percent).

Paulding canned 18 two-pointers and drained nine triples.  

The Panthers converted seven of 10 tries from the charity stripe to shoot 70 percent at the foul line. 

Paulding was guilty of 14 turnovers, while the Pirates made 10 miscues.

Bluffton dropped to 8-4 at home this season with the loss, and is 9-1 on the road.

Bluffton entertains league foe Columbus Grove (12-8, 4-3 NWC) in Div. III sectional first round play Feb. 27.

Bluffton 66 (17-5)

Donaldson 4 1-1 10, Ker. Wright 0 0-0 0, B. Ginther 1 0-0 2, W. Ginther 3 3-6 9, Blk. Sommers 8 0-0 20, Bro. Sommers 2 1-2 5, Boblitt 3 0-0 8, Hilty 0 0-0 0, Worcester 3 2-2 8, Yoder 2 0-0 4, Hohenbrink 0 0-0 0, Ka. Wright 0 0-0 0.

Totals: 19-7/7-11/66. 3-pointers: Bl. Sommers 4, Boblitt 2, Donaldson 1.

Paulding 70 (13-9)

T. Manz 1 0-0 3, Rhonehouse 6 1-3 15, Agler 5 0-0 12, Jones 10 4-5 27, Barton 3 0-0 6, Harder 2 2-2 7.

Totals: 18-9/7-10/70. 3-pointers:  Jones 3, Rhonehouse 2, Agler 2, Manz 1, Harder 1.

1 2 3 4 F

Bluf 24 18 16 8 66

Pau 15 17 18 20 70