By Sam Brauen www.blufftonpirates.com
Loaded with experience, the time is now for the Bluffton Lady Pirate basketball team.

Bluffton returns the top seven scorers from last year’s squad that went 17-7 overall and 6-2 in Northwest Conference play.  At the heart of it all are seniors Alivia Koenig, Averey Rumer, Katie Prater and Ashley Eachus.  Koenig, Prater and Rumer have started nearly every game of their high school career and together with Eachus provide an experienced, formidable foundation.

Juniors Libby Schaadt, Kayla White and Brinkley Garmatter are returning letterwinners as is sophomore Laykin Garmatter. 

Alivia Koenig eclipsed the 1,000 point barrier last season, just the fourth Bluffton girls player to accomplish the feat.  Koenig has chosen to continue her basketball (and golf) career at Urbana University beginning next fall.  The sharpshooter will very likely eclipse Caity Matter’s career three point made record of 209.  Alivia enters the season at 187, unofficially.  Koenig averaged 14.5 points per game and was a first team All league selection for the third time last season. 

Averey Rumer was also a double digit scorer, pouring in 10.6 points per contest in 2017-18. The versatile forward grabbed a team high 6 rebounds per game and was also a First Team Northwest Conference selection. 

Libby Schaadt averaged 9.3 points per game and nabbed 5.9 rebounds per game last season.  Katie Prater averaged 6 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists per contest on her way to an Honorable Mention selection from the NWC. 

Kayla White (5 ppg), Ashley Eachus (3 ppg), Laykin Garmatter (2 ppg) and Brinkley Garmatter (1 ppg) round out the returning scorers. 

Per Head Coach Eric Garmatter (8th season, 90-71 career record) Grace Myers, Reagan Mittendorf, Kylie Monday and Kylie Stackhouse will provide depth off the bench. 

For the first time in a few seasons, the Pirates will also field a full Junior Varsity team as the program has expanded growth.  Assisting Garmatter this season are Scott Gleason, Steve Mittendorf and Cindy Lee.

The schedule for Bluffton starts out like it has for over 20 years: The McDonald’s Holiday Tournament. 

The Pirates have faced off against Arlington for several years in a row in the Championship game of the tournament but first things first, a date with Cory-Rawson on Friday evening. 

The Pirates have a challenging out of conference schedule with contests against teams such as Ottoville, Liberty Benton, Elida, Upper Scioto Valley and Arcadia along the way.  The NWC slate is difficult enough.  Bluffton will be looking to upend reigning league champion Columbus Grove and avenge a loss to Spencerville last season as well.