Margaretta claims third straight district title with 55-30 win over Bluffton KANSAS, Ohio (AP) — Margaretta continued its postseason dominance Friday night, capturing a third consecutive district championship with a decisive 55-30 victory over Bluffton in the Division V district final at Lakota High School. The second-seeded Polar Bears improved to 22-3 on the season and advanced to the regional semifinals, where they will face unbeaten Genoa (25-0) at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Elida Fieldhouse. Margaretta entered the game ranked No. 4 in Division V, while Genoa is ranked No. 3. Margaretta seized control early and never allowed Bluffton to gain momentum. Kale Bailey opened the scoring with a three-pointer before Tyson Bailey added a basket off an assist from Judah Keller. Keiygan Morris followed with two free throws to extend the early lead before Bluffton’s Brody Donley scored the Pirates’ first basket. The Polar Bears continued to push the pace throughout the opening quarter. Morris connected on a jumper, and Kale Bailey capitalized on a Bluffton turnover for another score. Keller later finished a play off a pass from Julian Washington as Margaretta closed the first quarter with a commanding 15-2 advantage. Margaretta maintained its pressure to start the second quarter. Kale Bailey scored early before Washington converted a three-point play to stretch the lead to 20-4. Tyson Bailey followed with another three-point play, pushing the margin to 23-4. Bluffton attempted to respond with consecutive baskets from Parker Lovell and another score from Owen Scoles, but Margaretta answered with steady offense. Tyson Bailey and Washington each added baskets, and Tyson Bailey scored the final three points of the half to give the Polar Bears a 30-10 lead at the break. Bluffton coach Todd Boblitt acknowledged that his team struggled to recover after Margaretta established an early rhythm. The Pirates were unable to slow the game down or find consistent offensive opportunities against Margaretta’s defense. The Polar Bears extended their advantage quickly in the third quarter. Tyson Bailey scored on a pass from Washington, and Kale Bailey converted a three-point play to make it 35-10. Morris and Keller each hit three-pointers as Margaretta continued to stretch the lead, and Keller added another basket to push the score to 43-11. Bluffton had difficulty generating offense in the half court against Margaretta’s defense, which limited driving lanes and prevented the Pirates from establishing an inside-out attack. Washington delivered one of the game’s biggest moments with a dunk on an out-of-bounds play. He later added a three-pointer and completed a three-point play that extended the lead to 52-17 late in the third quarter, triggering a running clock. Margaretta’s defensive effort has been a key factor in its postseason run. In two district tournament games, the Polar Bears outscored opponents 127-60. Washington led Margaretta with 13 points, seven rebounds and six assists. Kale Bailey and Tyson Bailey each added 12 points, with Tyson Bailey also recording four steals. Morris finished with seven points, Keller scored eight, and Rob Cox added two. Jaxson Bohn contributed one point. Bluffton finished the season 11-14. Bean Ginther led the Pirates with nine points, while Parker Lovell scored six. Brady Donley added four points, Lane Ginther and Owen Scoles each had three, Robby Taylor scored two and Braydon McClure added three, including Bluffton’s lone three-pointer. Margaretta made four three-pointers in the game, coming from Kale Bailey, Morris, Washington and Keller. Bluffton finished with one three-point field goal. The Polar Bears built their lead with strong quarter-by-quarter scoring, leading 15-2 after the first quarter and 30-10 at halftime. Margaretta outscored Bluffton 22-9 in the third quarter before the running clock limited scoring in the fourth. Margaretta’s district championship sets up a regional semifinal matchup with Genoa, a team the Polar Bears defeated in last year’s district final at Lakota High School. Genoa advanced to the regional round Friday by overcoming a 12-point deficit to defeat Paulding in its district championship game. BLUFFTON (11-14) Parker Lovell 3 0-0 6, Bean Ginther 4 1-3 9, Lane Ginther 0 3-4 3, Robby Taylor 1 0-0 2, Brady Donley 2 0-0 4, Owen Scoles 1 1-2 3, Braydon McClure 1 0-0 3. TOTALS 12 5-9 30 MARGARETTA (22-3) Kale Bailey 5 1-3 12, Keiygan Morris 2 2-2 7, Julian Washington 5 2-2 13, Judah Keller 3 1-2 8, Tyson Bailey 5 2-3 12, Jaxson Bohn 0 1-2 1, Rob Cox 1 0-0 2. TOTALS 21 9-14 55 Bluffton 2 8 9 11 — 30 Margaretta 15 15 22 3 — 55 Three-point goals: Bluffton 1 (McClure); Margaretta 4 (K. Bailey, Morris, Washington, Keller) BCSN Highlights- Click Here BCSN Sandusky Bay Pancake POTG Interview- Click Here OH Report MVP Interview- Click Here OH Report Play of the Game- Click Here