Sports

By Matt M. Stutz

2022 Co-Putnam County League boys basketball champs Pandora-Gilboa and Ottoville squared off in the Van Wert Sectional Final match-up on Friday, February 25 in familiar style. For three quarters, the teams went back-and-forth, never leading by more than six points with stellar defense on both sides. The Rockets led 26-24 at the end of the third quarter and were ahead 28-24 early in the fourth. Ottoville responded, hitting back-to-back 3-pointers to regain the lead, and closed game with a 20-3 run and avenging their regular season loss to the Rockets. P-G bowed out of the tournament, losing 44-31.

Pirates compete in D-III event March 4-5 at Troy

By Cort Reynolds

The Bluffton High School wrestling team finished a solid fifth at the 14-team Div. III sectional tournament hosted by Van Buren on February 26.

Six Pirates recorded top four finishes to qualify for the district meet next weekend.

Pirate senior Kaden Basil captured the 175 lbs. bracket title with a 3-0 record and two pins. In the title bout, he won a 9-0 decision over Liberty-Benton's Gavin Gillig to improve his record to a sparkling 34-5 this season.

By Cort Reynolds

The Bluffton High School boys basketball team stymied Bath 43-32 in a low-scoring Div. III sectional final at Miller City Friday night.

The Pirates led 12-10 after the first quarter, but then fell behind 18-17 at halftime. They limited Bath to just 22 points over the final 24 minutes. 

Bluffton splashed three triples in the third stanza as they doubled their first half output and forged in front 34-30 heading to the final quarter.

On Thursday, February 24, Bluffton High School junior Riley Verb advanced in two events at the 2022 Ohio State High School Division II Swimming and Diving Championships at C.T. Branin Natatorium in Canton, OH.

Verb advances to the B finals races on Friday February 25.

He swam the 200 yard IM (individual medley) in 2:00.26 and the 100 yard breaststroke in 1:00.57.

Times for all preliminary swimmers in these events are below.

By Matt M. Stutz

The Pandora-Gilboa High School boys basketball team hit the tournament trail Wednesday evening February 23, in a Van Wert Semi-final match-up against Miller City.  P-G used a huge fourth quarter run, turning a tight game into a comfortable 53-42 tournament win. P-G also won the regular season match-up with Miller City. 

The 2022 Spring Sport player parent meeting with Bluffton High School Athletic Director Alex Hanna is now available to view at https://youtu.be/idZcJ1RXvDI . (Length 4:27.)

Spring sports include:

Track, coached by Jason Diller

Baseball, coached by K.C. Krendl

Softball, coached by John Edinger

Boys Tennis, coached by Dave Roby

Junior High Track, coached by Brady Bogart

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