By Cort Reynolds

CONVOY – The visiting Bluffton High School girls basketball team lost a tough 60-54 battle to Northwest Conference rival Crestview on January 9.

Pirate senior post Ayla Grandey led all players with 21 points.

Bluffton fell to 8-5 overall and 0-2 in the NWC after the defeat. Crestview improved to 10-3 overall and 3-1 in the NWC with the win.

The Pirates trailed 14-6 after a cold opening quarter. Bluffton rallied behind a 21-15 second period to pull within 29-27 at halftime. Grandey tallied seven points in the second stanza, while Macy Schaadt canned two triples, to lead the comeback.

The teams battled to a 13-13 tie in the third quarter to make the score 42-40 heading into the final period. The Pirates dropped the fourth stanza 18-14 to lose by six.

Grandey sank eight baskets, including two triples, while making all three of her foul shots.  

Freshman Maelee Miller tallied 11 markers on four baskets and 3-3 free throw accuracy. She scored six points in the final period to help keep the Pirates in contention.

Macy Schaadt netted nine points on three treys. Junior Blair Utendorf  added six points on three field goals.

Ellie Kline led four Lady Knights in double figures with 17 points, including two three-pointers in the opening stanza. 

Kaci Gregory and Josie Kulwicki each tallied 13 markers. Kennedy Crider added five of her 11 points in the final quarter to help keep the Pirates at bay.

Gregory scored seven of her points in the fourth period. 

Bluffton connected on 15 deuces and sank six treys. The Pirates converted six of eight free throws (75 percent).

Crestview canned 19 two-point goals and drilled three triples. The Knights made 13 of 15 foul shots (87 percent). 

The Pirate girls host former league foe Paulding (10-2) Saturday afternoon, January 11 at noon.