Another game in a tough gauntlet of a schedule for the Bellmont Braves finished with another state-ranked team lying at the feet of the #2-ranked girls from Bellmont Saturday, with coach Andy Heim’s team knocking off Bluffton, 47-37.
It looked like the tough schedule of back-to-back nights against ranked opponents may have been too much for the visitors, as they trailed 9-3 after the first eight minutes of play. A bucket by Mary Bleke and a free throw by Ashley Bleke were all the Braves had to show in the opening quarter, but an 18-point barrage in the second quarter gave the Braves a surprising 21-14 lead at halftime in the Tiger Den.
Threes by Kaitlyn Barton and Lanie French kept the Tigers at a distance and the Braves handed coach Andy Heim his 200th career victory at the school.
Barton led the Braves with 12 points and the name of the game was once again balanced scoring, with six players contributing to the victory in the points column.
The Braves will look for another win in the NE8 Friday when they host Columbia City in a game on 92.7 FM, WZBD. The Eagles are 10-6 and tied for 12th in the most recent 3A poll.
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