The Pandora-Gilboa High School boys basketball team went on the road on December 20 to battle BVC rival Leipsic. The Rockets led throughout the middle two quarters but were outscored 18-14 over the final eight minutes of the contest. They lost a close one, 61-58.
BLUFFTON – The Bluffton High School girls basketball team rode tough defense to a 45-26 win over visiting non-conference foe Van Buren Tuesday, December 17.
The Pirates led 13-6 after the opening quarter. The hosts stymied the Black Knights in the second stanza, holding them to just one field on a three-pointer. Bluffton held a 22-9 edge at halftime.
VB responded with a 12-6 third period to edge within 28-21 heading to the final quarter. But the Pirates poured in 17 fourth quarter points to lead a late surge as they pulled away to win by 19.
Bluffton senior Ayla Grandey netted eight of her game-high 20 points in the fourth period to lead all players.
Macy Schaadt tallied six of her 10 markers in the final quarter to support Grandey.
Bluffton improved to 5-3 overall after the convincing win.
PAULDING – The Bluffton High School boys basketball team jumped to a big early lead and drilled Paulding 71-39 in a non-league road game Tuesday, December 17.
The Pirates improved to 3-0 with the blowout win in their first road game. Bluffton has won its three games by a combined total of 127 points (42.3 ppg). Paulding fell to 1-4 after the home defeat.
BLUFFTON – Pirate junior Blair Utendorf sank a putback shot at the final buzzer to lift the Bluffton High School girls basketball team to a 49-48 win over New Bremen in a non-conference thriller Saturday afternoon, December 14.
The Pirates trailed 10-7 after the opening quarter. But a 17-12 second stanza put Bluffton ahead 24-22 at halftime. Senior Ayla Grandey fired in 10 points in the second quarter to lead the Pirate charge.
NB edged back in front 36-34 heading to the final quarter despite eight more markers from Grandey. But the Pirates won the fourth period 15-12 to triumph by a single point on the Utendorf game-winner.
Bluffton improved to 4-3 overall after the last-second win.
New Bremen dropped to 2-4 with the tough defeat.
Senior post Grandey poured in a game-high 26 points for Bluffton. She canned 10 baskets, including three trifectas, and hit all three of her free throws.
BLUFFTON – The Bluffton High School boys basketball team dominated visiting Toledo Woodward 79-18 in a non-conference mismatch on Saturday, December 14.
The Pirates launched home five triples during the first period to build a whopping 32-10 lead.
Bluffton then piled on with a 23-2 second stanza to create a commanding 55-12 halftime cushion. The Pirates splashed nine three-pointers in the first half.
