By Cort Reynolds

SMITHVILLE – The Bluffton High School boys basketball team lost 60-47 to Aliquippa, Pa. in the fourth edition of the “Battle of the Berkey” series Sunday, February 2, at Smithville’s Wilbur Berkey Fieldhouse.

The two-day, 12-game series started out four years ago as a weekend of contests pitting top western Ohio teams vs. top eastern Ohio squads of similar size and talent. 

Now the northeast Ohio event has evolved to include out-of-state schools such as Aliquippa, which is in western Pennsylvania, and Newport, Ky. 

Ten of the 12 schools competing were from Ohio. Six games were played Saturday, with six more on Sunday.

The Pirates trailed just 19-15 after a high-scoring first period. After a 12-11 second stanza where Blake Sommers scored seven points, Bluffton inched within 30-27 at halftime.

The Quips captured the third period 18-11 in the third quarter to seize a 48-38 advantage heading to the final quarter.

Aliquippa then won the fourth period, 12-9.
The Pirates fell to 12-6 with the loss. Aliquippa improved to 13-3 after the win.

Pirate guard Marek Donaldson scored a team-high 16 points behind four triples and six baskets. Eleven of his points came in the second half on three treys. 

Sommers netted a dozen markers. Terron Boblitt added seven points, five in the first period.

Junior Josh Pratt led the Quips with 27 points. He tallied 10 points in the first period with two treys. He added 10 markers in the third quarter. 

Teammate Qa’-lil Goode added 14 points.

Bluffton canned nine two-point goals and seven triples. The Pirates converted eight of 10 free throws (80 percent).

Aliquippa sank 20 two-pointers and drained five trifectas. The Quips converted five of 12 foul shots (42 percent).

Located in western Pennsylvania, Aliquippa is the birthplace of NCAA all-time leading scorer and Hall of Fame legend Pete Maravich. Pete’s father Press was head coach of the Quips when football Hall of Fame tight end Mike Ditka played there.

Bluffton (2-3 NWC) resumes league play at home vs. Columbus Grove (7-7, 4-1 NWC) Friday, February 7. The Pirates then host Liberty Center (8-9) Saturday, Feb. 8 on Senior Night.