Bluffton boys win NWC showdown vs. Bearcats; win streak at 12
The white-hot Bluffton High School boys basketball team remained first in the Northwest Conference following a 66-58 win over visiting Spencerville in a key league showdown Friday night, January 28
Trenton Donley netted 16 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter to pace the victors.
Bluffton held a narrow 12-11 lead after the first period, and inched ahead 21-19 at halftime. A 17-10 third quarter run extended their lead to 38-29 heading to a wild final period.
The teams combined for 57 fourth-period points as Spencerville doubled its output over the first 24 minutes in the final eight.
But the Pirates hit 13 of 20 free throws in the fourth period to tally 28 points, and they held on to record their 12th win in a row.
The Pirates improved to 13-1 overall and 6-0 in the NWC with the triumph. Bluffton has not lost since Dec. 4 at Liberty-Benton, 51-29.
The Bearcats fell to 13-3 overall and 3-2 in the NWC after their second straight defeat.
Trey Boblitt contributed 14 points, while Kyler Kinn tallied 11 markers on nine foul shots. Carson Soper added eight points.
Bluffton drained 20 field shots, hitting 17 two-pointers while splashing three treys. The Pirates converted 23 of a whopping 33 attempts at the charity stripe (70 percent).
Tyler Koenig led the Bearcats with 17 points. Josh Henline added 13 markers, while Ethan Smith tallied 11.
The Bearcats canned 23 baskets, but got outscored by 13 in free throws. Spencerville sank 21 two-pointers and two triples, and converted 10 of 12 at the foul line (83 percent).
Bluffton committed 12 turnovers, while the Bearcats made 13 errors.
Bluffton 66 (13-1, 6-0 NWC)
Donley 9 5-5 25, Kinn 1 9-15 11, Soper 3 2-2 8, Boblitt 4 5-5 14, Donaldson 1 0-2 2, Schaadt 2 2-4 6, Lora 0.
Totals: 17-3/23-33/66. 3-pointers: Donley 2, Boblitt 1.
S'ville 58 (13-3, 3-2 NWC)
Henline 5 2-2 13, Osting 1 0-0 2, Smith 5 1-1 11, Elling 1 0-0 2, Sudhoff 2 0-0 4, Koenig 5 7-8 17, Harter 1 0-0 2, Sommers 3 0-1 7.
Totals: 21-2/10-12/58. 3-pointers: Henline 1, Sommers 1.
1 2 3 4 F
Svl 11 8 10 29 58
Blu 12 9 17 28 66
Bluffton (7-0 home) entertains tough non-league rival Pandora-Gilboa (12-4) Saturday night, Jan. 29. P-G whipped Cory-Rawson 70-19 Friday night. The Pirates beat C-R 76-25 December 29.
Stories Posted This Week
Thursday, July 31, 2025
- Bluffton University names Dr. J. Alexander Sider as next President
- GLP-1s and weight loss: Impact on muscles
- Check out August 2025 at Bluffton Public Library
- Discovery Days prize drawing results, check your tickets
- Wesley “Wes” Allen Leightner worked for Phillips
- How floundering Cards should deal at deadline
Wednesday, July 30, 2025
- Letter: BOHS work night at the Depot, July 30
- County park district considers name change, invites feedback
- Teen vaccine clinic at Bluffton Middle School, August 18
- State of Ohio expands commercial truck parking at US 30 rest areas
- National Night Out celebration is August 5
- Bluffton council hears neighbor concerns about proposed school practice field
- GROB Systems to host 5-AXIS LIVE! with 21 industry partners on Aug. 5