By Cort Reynolds

BLUFFTON__The Bluffton High School boys basketball team went ice cold in the fourth quarter and lost 49-36 to visiting former league foe Paulding in the regular season finale on Friday, February 20.

The Pirates led 34-33 heading into the decisive final period. But the Panthers outscored Bluffton 16-2 in the fourth to win by making eight baskets compared to just one hoop by the hosts.

The Pirates led 10-9 after the opening stanza as Parker Lovell nailed a triple and a deuce. Lane Ginther also buried a trifecta.

Paulding bounced back to win the second stanza 14-11 as five Panthers scored to give the visitors a 23-21 edge at intermission.

Pirate freshman guard Brody Donley knocked down a trey and tallied six points in the period, while Bean Ginther nailed a triple.

The Pirates responded with a 13-10 third quarter to lead by one heading to the final stanza. Bean Ginther drilled a three and a two-pointer to help the hosts regain the lead. 

But then the Pirate shooting cooled off while the Paulding offense got going, and Paulding won by 13.

The Pirates dropped to 9-13 overall after the home defeat. Paulding improved to 18-4 overall after the road victory.

Parker Lovell led the Pirates with 11 points.

Bean Ginther scored eight points, while Lane Ginther and Donley each netted six markers. Robby Taylor added five points with one triple.

Tyson Manz topped well-balanced Paulding with 11 points. Blake Rhonehouse and Jordan Manz each tallied 10 markers, while Xander Kuckuck added nine.

The Pirates connected on seven two-point goals and splashed six triples. Bluffton converted four of five shots from the charity stripe (80 percent).

Paulding canned 17 deuces and knocked down five trifectas. The Panthers missed their only foul shot (0 percent).

UP NEXT

The Pirates will play at fourth seed Ottawa Hills (13-9) on Friday, Feb. 27 at 7 p.m. in one Div. V Northwest sectional final.

The winner will play either third seed Archbold (14-8) or fifth seed Coldwater (9-12) on Tuesday, March 3 at Napoleon at 7 p.m. The district finals are Friday, March 6 at Kansas Lakota.

Castalia Margaretta (19-3) received a first-round bye and is the top seed in the sectional.