Bluffton Pirates (Bluffton, OH) backers were in high spirits Saturday as they witnessed their basketball squad bounce the visiting Van Buren Black Knights (Van Buren, OH), 81-54 in a non-league bout.

With the win, Bluffton upgrades its record to 8-1 on the season. The Pirates travel to Crestview (Convoy, OH) to clash with the Knights in a Northwest bout on Friday, January 12. The Knights go into the bout with a record of 8-4. Crestview lost 48-43 in their recent non-league bout against Antwerp (Antwerp, OH)

Next up, the Black Knights clash with the Riverdale Falcons (Mt. Blanchard, OH) in a Blanchard Valley bout, on Friday, January 12. Van Buren will attempt to upgrade on its 1-8 season record. The Falcons go into the bout with a 3-6 record after their 78-46 non-league loss to Ridgemont (Mount Victory, OH).