Final match with Arlington on Monday

By Cort Reynolds

BLUFFTON__The Bluffton High School boys basketball team utilized a big fourth quarter to defeat visiting Wayne Trace 57-42 in the semifinals of the annual McDonald's Holiday Classic tournament on Saturday, December 27.

The Pirates led just 39-38 after three quarters. But the hosts poured it on with an 18-4 fourth period to win going away.

Bluffton built a 28-17 advantage at halftime, yet the Raiders rallied behind a 21-11 third period to slice the deficit to just one point heading into the final stanza.

Bluffton canned six foul shots and two trifectas in the fourth quarter, while holding the Raiders to just two baskets.

The Pirates improved to 3-4 overall after posting their third consecutive win. WT fell to 2-5 with the defeat.

FINALS AND CONSOLATION GAMES
The tournament consolation and championship games will be held Monday night, Dec. 29, starting at 6 p.m. Bluffton will face Arlington (5-3) in the title game, preceded by Wayne Trace vs. Emmanuel Christian.

Speedy senior Kain Wright was the leading Pirate scorer for the third straight game. He netted 19 markers, including nine in the second stanza.

Bean Ginther scored seven of his 17 points in the clinching fourth period. Lane Ginther tallied seven points, while Robby Taylor added all five of his in the decisive fourth period. Parker Lovell contributed four markers, and Brody Donley drilled a triple.

Caden Sinn led three Raiders in low double figures with 12 points. Lance Maenle tallied 11 markers, and Zach Stoller added 10.

The Pirates connected on 16 two-point goals and splashed five triples.

Bluffton converted 10 of 17 at the charity stripe (59 percent).

WT sank 11 deuces, drained three trifectas and canned 11 of 15 from the charity stripe (73 percent).
1 2 3 4 F
Blu 12 16 11 18 57
WT 8 9 21 4 42

ARLINGTON VS. EMMANUEL CHRISTIAN SEMI
Arlington crushed Emmanuel Christian 77-17 in the first semifinal as 6-10. Senior center Calvin Willow scored 20 points. Ayden Cavinee tallied 17 markers.

The Red Devils raced to a 22-2 lead after one quarter and led 46-12 at the half. Cavinee netted 12 first-period points, and Willow tallied 16 of his markers in the first half.

Arlington held EC to just six baskets while making 32 field goals themselves, including seven triples.