By Cort Reynolds

BLUFFTON – The tournament host Bluffton High School boys basketball team dispatched Emmanuel Christian 63-44 in the semifinals of their annual McDonald’s Holiday Classic on December 27 at the Sommer Center.

The undefeated Pirates improved to 6-0 with another lopsided win. The Warriors out of Toledo fell to 4-4 after the defeat.

Guard Marek Donaldson tallied 17 points on six baskets, including three triples, to pace the victors. He hit all three of his trifectas in the first half. Bluffton nailed four three’s in the second stanza to pace a 21-point outburst.

Undefeated Arlington (8-0) edged Wayne Trace 48-44 in the first semifinal Friday evening to advance to the title game Saturday at approximately 7:30 p.m.

Wayne Trace (4-3) will play EC in the third-place consolation game Saturday at 6 p.m.

Bluffton led 14-8 after the first period, and stretched the margin to 35-23 at halftime. The Pirates won the second half, 28-21.

Pirate Bean Ginther tallied eight of his 14 points before intermission. 

Terron Boblitt contributed 11 markers on three treys. Kain Wright added eight points. Landen Worcester canned six out of six foul shots for his six points.

EC’s Nate Miles led all players with 29 points on 10 deuces and three triples. He tallied 13 of the 15 Warrior points in the second stanza.

Bluffton canned 12 deuces and nailed nine triples. The Pirates converted 12 of 18 free throws (67 percent).

EC connected on 17 two-point goals and splashed three treys, all by Miles. They canned one of three foul shots (33 percent).

Jase Vermillion led Arlington with 14 points in their four-point win over the Raiders. Calvin Willow added 13 markers. 

WT’s Caden Sinn topped all scorers with 19 points on the strength of five triples.

Arlington led 31-18 at halftime, but WT pulled within 34-30 after a 12-3 third period. Both teams scored 14 points in the final stanza.

Red Devil Brady Griggs scored five of his seven points in the fourth period. Trenton Heacock added four of his 11 markers in the final quarter to offset two Sinn treys.