Playing in Value, the Bluffton High School boys basketball team rode big first and third quarters to easily defeat the Wildcats 79-56 in a non-conference matchup Friday night, February 18.

The Pirates raced to a 30-8 lead after the first quarter as they splashed six triples. Trenton Donley poured in 12 first quarter points, including two trifectas. Vanlue rallied within 38-31 behind a big 18-8 second quarter, but Bluffton responded by outscoring the Wildcats 23-7 in the third stanza to build a 61-38 cushion. 

Trey Boblitt netted 10 points and Kyler Kinn added nine in the third stanza.

Both teams tallied 18 points in the fourth period.

Bluffton drained 11 triples to shoot their way to the victory.

With the win the Pirates improved to 19-2, while Vanlue dropped to 6-16 after their season-ending loss.

Boblitt topped four Pirates in double figures with 17 points on five triples. Kinn and Donley each tallied 14 points, while Carson Soper added 11. Nate Schaadt contributed eight markers as nine Pirates scored.

Vanlue's Jerome Kloepfer led all players with 20 points, nine of which came in the second period. J.R. Snook netted 17 points while Jaren Kloepfer added 11 markers, but only five Wildcats scored.

Bluffton sank 25 field goals, making 14 two-pointers while drilling 11 treys. The Pirates converted 18 of 22 attempts at the charity stripe (82 percent).

The Wildcats canned 21 baskets. They sank 16 two-pointers and hit five triples. Vanlue converted nine of 13 from the foul line (69 percent).

Bluffton committed 14 turnovers, while Vanlue made 12 miscues.

Bluffton 79 (19-2)

Donley 4 4-4 14, Shutler 0, Kinn 5 4-5 14, Soper 4 2-2 11, Boblitt 5 

2-3 17, Donaldson 2 0-0 6, Schaadt 3 1-2 8, Lovell 1 0-0 2, Lora 1 4-4 

6, Ginther 0, Yoder 0 1-2 1.

Totals: 14-11/18-22/79. 3-pointers: Boblitt 5, Donaldson 2, Donley 2, 

Soper 1, Schaadt 1.

Vanlue 56 (6-16)

Ja. Kloepfer 4 3-4 11, Snook 6 4-5 17, Rickle 2 0-2 5, Je. Kloepfer 8 

2-2 20, Rossman 1 0-0 3.

Totals: 16-5/9-13/56. 3-pointers: Je. Kloepfer 2, Snook 1, Rickle 1, 

Rossman 1.

        1       2       3       4       F

Bluffton     30      8       23      18      79

Vanlue    13      18      7       18      56

Bluffton hosts Toledo Rogers (8-12) Saturday at 5:30 p.m. in a varsity-only contest. The match was a late addition to the schedule to fill out a 22-game regular season.