The team, coaches and cheerleaders pose for their photograph following the 2018 Section win! More pictures at westbendnews.net
MILLER CITY – The Paulding Panthers posted victories over Bluffton and Tinora to win a Division III boys basketball sectional championship at Miller City High School last week.
Coach Miller stated, “This is the first time in three years the Panthers have picked up this title victory.”
The Panthers advanced to the district tournament with a 35-32 victory over the Rams Friday night at Miller City.
Jaret Miller scored 8 points to top the Panther efforts while Marcus Miller and Fletcher Cook posted 6 markers each.
Logan Bradford and Carson Shull added 5 points apiece with Austin Howell getting 4 and Ethan Rhonehouse 1.
In the sectional opener, the Panthers defeated Northwest Conference rival Bluffton 42-35.
Jaret Miller topped Paulding with 15 points and Ethan Rhonehouse added 13 for the Panthers.
Fletcher Cook (7), Marcus Miller (3), Carson Shull (2) and Austin Howell (2) also scored for the maroon and white.
Kaleb Jefferson paced the Pirates with 17 points while Dakota Bricker chipped in 5 markers. Cole Fruchey and Mason Soper added 4 points each and Mason Ault picked up the other 2 Bluffton points.
The Pirates led 14-8 at the end of 1 period before Paulding rallied to take a 21-20 halftime advantage. The maroon and white then took control of the contest in the third quarter, expanding the lead to 35-24 entering the final stanza.
Paulding finished the night 12 of 38 from the field (32%) while Bluffton was 12 of 40 (30%). The Panthers committed fewer turnovers, 7-12, but Bluffton won the battle of the boards, 28-23.
At the free throw line, the maroon and white was 13 of 16 (81%) while the Pirates hit 9 of 14 (64%).
Paulding will return to action on Thursday when the Panthers face top seeded Ottawa Glandorf at Lima Senior High School with a 6:15 p.m. game time.
More pictures at westbendnews.net
