Pirate boys basketball outpaces Falcons

By Cort Reynolds

MT. BLANCHARD__The visiting Bluffton High School boys basketball team outscored non-conference rival Riverdale in all four quarters to post a 62-50 road win Saturday, February 10.

The Pirate boys snapped a three-game losing skid with the victory.

The Pirates led 14-12 after the first period, and held onto a 30-26 edge at halftime. 

Bluffton outscored the Falcons 21-18 in a high-scoring third stanza.

The Pirates captured the fourth quarter 11-6 to win by a dozen. Southpaw Blake Sommers scored eight of his 19 points in the final period to lead Bluffton to victory.

Bluffton improved to 15-4 with the win. Meanwhile, Riverdale dropped to 5-13 after the defeat.

Wade Ginther and Landen Worcester each tallied six points in the second period to keep Bluffton ahead by four heading to intermission.

Ginther contributed 15 points to support Sommers. John-Paul Yoder tallied 10 markers and Worcester scored nine. Marek Donaldson added six points on a pair of triples.

Hayden Hagerty led three Falcons in double figures with 13 points. Reiter scored 11, and Jack Dusseau added 10 markers.

Bluffton connected on 13 two-point goals and splashed seven triples. The Pirates converted 15 of 21 shots from the free throw line (71 percent).

Riverdale canned 17 two-pointers, and drained a pair of triples. The Falcons converted 10 of their 14 tries from the charity stripe to also shoot 71 percent at the foul line. 

Bluffton is 6-3 at home this season, and 9-1 on the road.

The Pirates host tough WBL foe Elida (13-5) Tuesday, Feb. 13.

Bluffton (5-2 NWC) then resumes league play at home vs. backyard rival Allen East (9-8. 4-2 NWC) Friday, Feb. 16.

Bluffton 62 (15-4)

Donaldson 2 0-0 6,
Ker. Wright 0 0-0 0,
B. Ginther 0 0-0 0,
W. Ginther 4 6-8 15,
Blk. Sommers 6 5-6 19,
Bro. Sommers 0 0-0 0,
Boblitt 1 0-0 3,
Hilty 0 0-0 0,
Worcester 3 2-4 9,
Yoder 4 2-3 10,
Hohenbrink 0 0-0 0,
Ka. Wright 0 0-0 0.

Totals: 13-7/15-21/62. 3-pointers: Donaldson 2, Bl. Sommers 2, Ginther 1, Boblitt 1, Worcester 1.

Riverdale 50 (5-13)

Dusseau 3 4-4 10,
Hagerty 5 1-2 13,
Reiter 4 2-3 11,
Burger 2 1-1 5,
Inbody 3 1-2 7,
Sherman 1 0-0 2,
Holland 1 0-0 2.

Totals: 17-2/10-14/50. 3-pointers:  Hagerty 1, Reiter 1.