by Ryan Walker

The Boys 5th-8th grade basketball league wrapped up two weeks ago at the Bluffton City Gym for another great season.

Started by former Bluffton police officer Dave Terhune, the league has been running for over 40 years now. In 1995, the Bluffton Parks and Rec hired Barry Crosbie, and has ever since owned and organized the league.

This year, six teams have been competing in regular season games since Dec. 10. Each team played 11 games which helped seed them into the end-of-the-year tournament, which hosted its championship game on March 14.

Members of the Clean Fuels/Optimist Club Boys 5th-8th grade basketball league tournament champions are from left to right: Front row, Cooper Bunn, Ryker Beste, Parker Barnes, Ben Captain, Case Wireman, Miles Kelly, Chanley Shaw, and Maddox White. Back Row, Sponsor Steve Higgins, Coach Toby Shaw, AJ Bunn, Ryan Schlagenhauf, Max White, Eli Kerner, Axton Beste, Coach Trent White, Sponsor Dan Gerdom, and Sponsor Elmer Pate. (Photos provided)

In the regular season standings, the Clean Fuels/Optimist Club had the best record at 9-2. Pretzels Inc. came in second with a 7-4 record, followed by the Parlor City Trophy’s 6-5, Moose 242/Farm Bureau Insurance 5-6, EP Graphics/Peytons Northern 4-7, and National Oil 2-9.

Members of the Pretzels, Inc. runner-up team are from left to right: Front row, Simeon Terry, Brant Moser, Cooper Bustos, Cody Waldman, Griff Bailey, Matthew Tierney, and Lance Moser. Back Row, Jared Moser, Keegan Green, Dawson Lee, Cooper Jenkins, Braylon Terry, Palmer Krug, and Coach Barry Crosbie

The tournament champion was the Clean Fuels/Optimist Club, who defeated Pretzels, Inc., by a score of 47-32.

The leading scorer in the title game was Axton Beste, who put up 21 points. Max White scored 18 for the team, and the duo of Chanley Shaw and Maddox White added four points a piece.

For Pretzels, Inc., Jared Moser led the way with 19 points. Cooper Jenkins scored nine, and Dawson Lee and Palmer Krug had two each.

The league also named award-winners for the season at the end. The honorees are as follows:

• League Scoring Champions Award: Jared Moser and Max White with 182 points.

• Most Improved Player Award: Koby Hartman.

• Tourney Most Valuable Player Awards: Axton Bester and Max White.

The two winners of the tournament MVP awards and their families are from left to right, Matt Beste, Jessica Beste, Axton Beste, Barry Crosbie, Max White, Stephanie White, and Trent White.

• Most Valuable Player Runner-Up Award: Jared Moser.

Jared Moser won the Most Valuable Player Runner-Up Award playing for Pretzels, Inc. Members in the photo are Lane Gerber, Tara Moser, Jared Moser, and Barry Crosbie.

• Jason Werling Mental Attitude: Cade Thornton and Palmer Krug.

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