Huge 2nd half lifts Bluffton over Cavaliers

By Cort Reynolds

NAPOLEON__The Bluffton High School boys basketball team overcame a 12-point halftime deficit by blowing out Coldwater in the second half to win their Div. V Northwest 2 district semifinal 51-40 on Tuesday, March 3 at Napoleon.

The Pirates trailed 26-14 at halftime after a cold first 16 minutes. But Bluffton turned the momentum with a 13-3 third period to pull within 29-27 heading to the final quarter.

The Pirates then exploded for 24 points in the fourth stanza to shock the Cavaliers behind 9-10 foul shooting and three triples. Pirate freshman guard Brody Donley fired in nine points to spark the final stanza run.

Lane Ginther buried a pair of trifectas and Bean Ginther also scored six points in the 24-11 fourth period on the strength of 4-4 free throw accuracy.

Bluffton outscored bigger Coldwater in the second half by a whopping 37-14 margin. 

The Pirates improved their record to 11-13 with the comeback victory. They advance to the district finals Friday vs. top seed Castalia Margaretta (21-3) at Kansas Lakota High School. 

Margaretta mauled Huron 72-30 Tuesday night at Lakota.

Coldwater ended up 11-13 after the defeat. 

Donley topped the Pirates with a game-high 20 points. He canned seven baskets, including two triples, and hit on all four of his foul shots.

Parker Lovell tallied 11 markers, while Bean Ginther contributed nine. Lane Ginther scored all six of his points in the fourth quarter.

Nolan Gruss, a 6-5 sophomore, led the Cavs with 13 points. Sophomore center Jack Bruns chipped in with 11 markers.

Bluffton trailed 14-6 after the first period. The Cavaliers extended the margin to 26-14 after a 12-6 second stanza. 

But then the Pirates reversed the game’s course by holding the Cavs to just one basket in the third period, followed by their 24-point fourth period outburst. 

The Bluffton defense stymied Coldwater in the second half, allowing just six baskets in 16 minutes.

The Pirates canned 11 two-pointers and buried five triples. Bluffton converted 14 of 17 foul shots (82 percent). They outscored the Cavs by nine points at the charity stripe.

Coldwater sank 12 deuces and drained four treys. The Cavaliers sank four of five free throws (80 percent).