By Cort Reynolds
Photo by Marvin Foster

Tournament host Bluffton High School girls basketball team toppled Arlington 59-43 in the semifinals of the annual Lewis Family McDonald's Holiday event Friday night, November 18.

The Pirates jumped to a 14-6 lead after the first period, but the Red Devils cut the margin to 31-25 at intermission.

Arlington's Brooklyn Smith scored 11 of her game-high 23 points in the second stanza to keep the visitors close.

Bluffton held a 40-34 lead going into the fourth period after a 9-9 third stanza.

The Pirates then sank 12 of 17 free throws in the final quarter to win it 19-9 and cruise to victory by 16 points.

Better-balanced Bluffton placed four players in double figures, compared to one by Arlington.

Pirate Ayla Grandey and Sami Scoles each tallied 15 points to pace the victors. Kendal Giesige contributed 11 markers, while Riley Eachus added 10.

Giesige sank seven foul shots in the fourth period. Scoles also scored seven points in the decisive final quarter.

The Pirates canned 17 baskets. They made 13 shots from inside the arc, and sank four tries from three-point range. Bluffton converted 21 of their whopping 36 charity stripe attempts (58 percent).

Arlington made five two-point field goals and drained seven triples for 12 total baskets. They sank 12 of 16 foul shots (80 percent).

Arlington 43 (0-1)

Frysinger 0 0-1 0, Durliat 3 0-0 8, J. Smith 0 1-2 1, Alexander 0 2-2 2, Russell 3-2-3 9, B. Smith 6 7-8 23.

Totals: 5-7/12-16/43. 3-pointers: B. Smith 4, Durliat 2, Russell 1.  

Bluffton 59 (1-0)

Mehaffie 2 0-0 4, Fleece 0 4-4 4, Eachus 3 2-2 10, Scoles 5 4-8 15, Giesige 1 9-17 11, Grandey 6 2-5 15. 

Totals: 13-4/21-36/59. 3-pointers: Eachus 2, Scoles 1, Grandey 1.

1 2 3 4 F

Arlington 6 19 9 9 43

Bluffton 14 17 9 19 59

The Pirates (1-0) will host local rival Allen East (1-0) in the tournament title game at approximately 3:15-3:30 p.m. Saturday, November 19.

Arlington takes on Cory-Rawson in the consolation contest Saturday at 2:00 p.m. AE beat C-R 63-46 in the first semifinal Friday behind 22 points from Savana Brooks.