By Cort Reynolds

BLUFFTON – The hot-shooting Bluffton High School boys basketball team convincingly defeated visiting Wayne Trace 66-43 in Div. V sectional final action Friday, February 21.

The Pirates outscored the Raiders 39-15 from beyond the arc by draining 13 three-point goals.

After a slow start, Bluffton out-pointed WT 52-21 over the middle quarters to blow the game wide open.

Pirate senior guard Marek Donaldson led all scorers with 22 points on eight baskets and six trifectas. Senior Blake Sommers netted 20 markers on seven baskets, including three treys, and three free throws.

The Pirates improved to 16-7 with their fourth consecutive victory. Bluffton plays a rematch vs. top seed Lima Central Catholic in the district semifinals at Elida Fieldhouse Wednesday, Feb. 26 at approximately 7:30 p.m.

READ MORE

The Thunderbirds (15-7) survived an Ada upset bid 45-42 in overtime Friday at home to advance to their second meeting with the Pirates. Bluffton lost 56-53 at LCC January 17.

Wayne Trace finished its season 12-11 after the defeat.

The Pirates trailed 14-8 after a sluggish first period. But they exploded for 29 points in the second stanza as Sommers poured in 14 points to help build a 37-22 halftime bulge.

Kain Wright scored all eight of his points in the third period as the hosts continued the onslaught with a 23-13 quarter. Senior Carter Hohenbrink and Donaldson each sank two triples in the period to help the Pirates take a 60-35 cushion into the final quarter.

Senior Terron Boblitt added seven points on two triples.

Tanner Laukhuf scored 16 points with three treys to pace WT. Raider Lance Maenle added 14 markers.

Bluffton canned 11 two-point goals and splashed 13 triples. The Pirates converted five of its six free throws (83 percent). Bluffton made just six miscues.

WT sank 12 two-pointers and drained five trifectas. The Raiders converted four of seven foul shots (57 percent). The Raiders committed seven turnovers.