drives against LCC
If you are a person that studies statistics, you know that the numbers can be made to prove anything – even the truth. For boys basketball coach Todd Boblitt, there is only one stat that matters, and that’s the score. Against LCC last Friday, the Pirates did some things pretty well but in the end, LCC prevailed 72-43 and remained perched atop the NWC standings. Bluffton fell to 3-16 and 1-7 in the conference. It was the final home game for Bluffton who travel to Lincolnview’s new gym this Friday to close out the regular season. BHS then opens tournament play at Wapakoneta against MAC foe St. Henry Tuesday night at 8:00.
Offensively at least, Bluffton played splendidly in the first eight minutes. They shot a sizzling 89% from the floor as a team and put up 21 first quarter points. LCC matched BHS shot for shot, putting up 24 points of their own. LCC made four 3s in the opening quarter, mainly behind the shooting of 6’5” senior Sam Stolly. A key for LCC was five offensive rebounds that led to six second chance points. Turnovers also played a role for LCC as their full court pressure forced four giveaways and turned them into seven points. The Treasure Chest, which seemed fuller than usual, exploded when Matt Gillett drained a ‘3’ at the buzzer off a RJ Stratton feed.
Stolly drained another ‘3’ to start the second quarter but was then shut out the remainder of the game. Sophomore Keyshaun Hughes spelled some of the Pirate regulars guarding Stolly and did a nice job throughout the quarter on him defensively. Tyler Breidenbach and RJ Stratton clamped down on Stolly the remainder of the game. The Pirates were slowed in the quarter and were held to five points on a Michael Donley jumper and three free throws by sophomores Kyle Siefker and RJ Stratton. The halftime lead was pushed to 38-26 on a debilitating buzzer tip in by LCC.
The third quarter was an eventful tug of war between the two teams. Levi Gleason opened the second half with a strong post move only to be answered by back to back offensive boards for LCC which turned into a jumper. Siefker answered a T-Bird lay-in with a spin move of his own for two. Gleason pirouetted down the lane for a pretty lay-up but was matched by a LCC jumper. After another LCC bucket, RJ Stratton nailed a corner ‘3’. This went on until the final minute when LCC went on a quick 6-0 spurt to jump out to a 52-35 lead.
The Birds opened the fourth on a 13-4 jaunt and were able to pull away for the big victory. Getting back to those statistics, Bluffton shot 58% from inside the arc and 9 of 13 from the line. The telling stats for LCC were 15 offensive rebounds and 16 forced turnovers which enabled them to attempt 62 shots compared to just 31 for BHS. LCC also shot a sparkling 15 of 18 from the stripe.
Kyle Siefker and Levi Gleason both scored 11 for the Pirates. Matt Gillett added 9, RJ Stratton 7 and Michael Donley 5.
Click here for game photos from Troy Breidenbach!
Tags: Todd Boblitt, Matt Gillett, RJ Stratton, Keyshaun Hughes, Tyler Breidenbach, Michal Donley, Kyle Siefker, Levi Gleason
Teams: Basketball (B)