Sports

TROY — Botkins had some defensive problems late in regular season and did again in a Division IV sectional semifinal on Saturday, but its offense more than made up for it.

Russia’s Benjamin York shoots as Yellow Spring’s Otto Cippollini during a Division IV sectional semifinal on Friday at Troy High School’s Trojan Activities Center. The Raiders led 49-7 at halftime and won 65-30. Braylon Cordonnier scored 15 points, Felix Francis scored 14 and Dominic Francis scored nine. Russia is scheduled to face Tri-County North on Tuesday and will face the winner of Newton vs. Springfield Emmanuel Christian in a district semifinal on Friday in Troy.

VANDALIA — Sidney started a Division I sectional semifinal on Thursday with its worst quarter of the year but looked in good shape early in the fourth quarter.

Highlights from Sidney's 58-50 loss to Stebbins in a Division I sectional semifinal on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024 at Vandalia-Butler's Student Activity Center.

TROY — Sidney couldn’t keep up late in a Division I sectional final on Wednesday, but coach Jamal Foster said the team again displayed the grit it’s known for.

SIDNEY — Sidney beat Centerville by six points in a regular-season game on Jan. 11. If the squads will face off in the future after a sectional final on Wednesday, it will have to be in regular season.

CLAYTON — Anna got a reminder in the first quarter on Tuesday what tournament play is like. The reminder was all it needed.

SIDNEY — Sidney dropped to 5-5 overall and 4-4 in Miami Valley League play after a loss to Tippecanoe on Jan. 5. Its hopes of an MVL Valley Division title looked bleak.

Fort Loramie’s Ariel Heitkamp looks to get past Twin Valley South’s Sidnee Elswick during a Division IV sectional semifinal on Saturday at Sidney High School. It was the tournament opener for the Redskins, which won 72-12. Avery Brandewie scored 13 points, Skyler Albers scored 12 and Victoria Mescher scored 10. Heitkamp added six points. Fort Loramie advances to face Miami Valley in a second-round game on Wednesday.

Russia players, center left, huddle before playing Fort Loramie on Friday at Clair C. Naveau Gymnasium. It was the last varsity game scheduled to be played in the gymnasium before the Russia Community Center is set to open. The center is being constructed on the west side of the school and will house a new gymnasium to be used for high school contests. Fort Loramie was also the first opponent Russia’s boys team played on Dec. 10, 1982 after Clair C. Naveau Gymnasium opened. The Raiders, which are ranked No. 1 in the state Associated Press Division IV poll, beat the Redskins 68-31 on Friday and beat Marion Local 57-52 on the road on Saturday to finish regular-season play 21-1.