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Grandey, Schaadt named to all-tourney team

By Cort Reynolds

The tenacious Allen East girls basketball team fashioned a decisive 17-2 run to start the fourth quarter and key a 55-37 win over host Bluffton in the championship game of the annual McDonald’s Holiday Tournament Friday night, November 24.

The Mustangs led throughout, but had their 12-point halftime lead whittled to 38-33 entering the fourth period after the spunky Pirates authored a 14-7 third period.

Than a withering AE fullcourt press forced nine Pirate turnovers in the final stanza. Combined with five offensive putback baskets, the press allowed the Mustangs to pull away and win comfortably.

The relentless AE pressure helped force 28 costly turnovers, many of which were turned into transition baskets for the victors.

Bluffton to face rival AE in title game Friday night

By Cort Reynolds

The Bluffton girls basketball team opened a new season with a furious 53-50 comeback win over Cory-Rawson in the semifinals of their annual McDonald’s Holiday Tournament Wednesday night, November 22.

The Pirates trailed 39-24 at halftime after C-R exploded for 24 points in the second period.

But the Pirate girls turned up the defense and held the Hornets to just 11 points in the second half while scoring 29 themselves to rally for the hard-fought victory.

Bluffton post Ayla Grandey netted a game-high 28 points on nine baskets and nine free throws to pace the victors.

The Pirates (1-0) will now face local league rival Allen East in the championship finals Friday evening at approximately 7:15-7:30 p.m. The Pirate girls knocked off AE 55-52 last year in the title game.