By Cort Reynolds

CAREY__The visiting Bluffton High School boys basketball team defeated non-conference rival Carey 54-46 on Saturday, January 10.

The Pirates led 14-11 following the first quarter. After an 11-7 second stanza, Bluffton built a 25-18 edge at the end of the first half.    

The teams played to a 13-13 draw in the third quarter to maintain a seven-point margin at 38-31 heading into the final stanza. The Pirates won a tight fourth quarter 16-15 to triumph by eight.

The Pirates improved to 4-7 overall after the road victory. Carey fell to 3-6 with the defeat.

Senior Kain Wright scored a team-high 17 points, and Bean Ginther added 11 for the Pirates. 

Bluffton freshman guard Brody Donley tallied eight points. Robby Taylor and Parker Lovell netted seven markers apiece.

Blue Devil Chase Stone registered 12 points and 11 rebounds. Tripp Phoenix added 10 points.

The Pirates connected on 21 two-point goals and buried one triple by Taylor. Bluffton converted nine shots at the charity stripe. 

Carey sank 12 deuces, drilled three trifectas and canned 13 of 17 foul shots (76 percent).
 

Bluffton 54 (4-7)
Lovell 3-1-7, B. Ginther 3-5-11, L. Ginther 1-0-2, Wright 8-1-17, Taylor 3-0-7, Scoles 1-0-2, Donley 3-2-8. 

Totals: 21-1/9/54. 3-pointers: Taylor 1.
Carey 46 (3-6)

Boes 0-2-2, Kin 1-0-2, Sherman 2-2-7, Kitzler 3-0-8, Stone 4-4-12, Phoenix 3-4-10, Roberts 2-1-5.
Totals: 12-3/13-17/46. 3-pointers: Kitzler 2, Sherman 1.

UP NEXT

The Pirates (0-2 NWC) host tough Northwest Conference foe Lima Central Catholic (7-4, 2-1 NWC) on Friday, Jan. 16.