Bluffton Pirate boys' basketball fans have lots to look forward to as the Bluffton Junior High 7th grade team won the Northwest Conference tourney at Convoy on Saturday.
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Coached by Dan Garlock, the team was 13-5 overall. In the tournament, Bluffton first defeated Lincolnview then Columbus Grove in the semi-finals.
In the nail-biting title game the Pirates came out on time in overtime defeating Spencerville 35-34. Bluffton also tied for the east side regular season NWC title.
Three members of the Bluffton High School girls' basketball team received all-NWC honors in voting by coaches. In addition, Bluffton was conference runner-up at 7-1.
Pirate honors to: First team - Alivia Koenig, sophomore (repeat first team from last season) Second team - Abbie Parkins, senior Honorable mention - Avery Rumer, sophomore
Columbus Grove junior post player Paige Bellman was selected as the 2016-17 NWC Player of the Year.
Bluffton High School boys' basketball team split its weekend games, losing to Columbus Grove and defeating Kenton.
On Friday, Grove defeated Bluffton 42-39, Grove was led by Caiden Grothaus with 15, the Bulldogs move to 6-13 (NWC 2-5). The Pirates were led by Gabe Denecker with 14, and move to 10-10 (NWC 4-3).
On Saturday, Bluffton defeated Kenton 54-47 in overtime. The Pirates move to 11-10, while the Wildcats move to 12-9 on the season. Gabe Denecker led all scorers tonight with 19, followed by Luke Denecker with 17. Jaron Sharpe led Kenton with 11.
Visiting league co-leader Bluffton outscored Ada by 22 points over the middle quarters to post a convincing 69-41 girls basketball win over the Lady Bulldogs in Northwest Conference play Thursday evening.
The purple and gold fell to 7-13 and 1-6 in the NWC after their fourth straight defeat, while the visitors improved to 15-4 and 7-0 in the league with the victory.
Bluffton will face co-league unbeaten Columbus Grove (6-0 NWC) in the conference finale to decide the championship.
