Staff report
BOTKINS — Remarkable first-half shooting staked the Russia Raiders to a double-figure lead, and they held off the Botkins Trojans down the stretch to come away with a 62-56 victory Friday night to capture an outright County boys basketball championship.
Russia’s win, coupled with Anna’s upset of Jackson Center, gave Russia the title by itself. The Raiders and Jackson Center both went into Friday’s action with 9-2 league marks.
Russia led 38-25 at the half thanks to amazing shooting. They hit 72 percent from the field in the first two quarters, including 5 for 6 from behind the three-point arc.
But the Trojans wouldn’t go away and outscored the Raiders 10-3 in a low-scoring third quarter to cut the lead to 41-35 going into the final eight minutes. Botkins had its best quarter of the night in the fourth, scoring 21, but the Raiders equalled that to escape with the victory.
Russia had four players in double figures, led by Josh York with 13. Jack Dapore had 12, Dylan Cordonnier 11 and Jake Gariety 10.
Botkins also put four in double figures. Cameron Flora had 16, Chad Bergman 12 and both Erik Greve and Nolan Greve 11 each.
Botkins was lights out at the line, shooting 75 percent to 57 percent for the Raiders. But Russia got 14 more attempts from the stripe and cashed in enough, going 17 for 30. The Raiders were 9 for 13 in the final period, with Jonah Counts hitting all four of his tries.
Russia (62) — Counts 6, C. Monnin 3, Gariety 10, Cordonnier 11, Tebbe 7, York 13, Dapore 12.
Botkins (56) — Fullenkamp 3, Roberts 3, E. Greve 11, Flora 16, N. Greve 11, C. Bergman 12.
Score by quarters:
Russia—22 38 41 62
Botkins—13 25 35 56
Three-pointers: Russia 5 (Dapore 3, Cordonnier, C. Monnin); Botkins 4 (Roberts, E. Greve, Fullenkamp, Flora).
Final County standings
Russia 10-2
Anna 9-3
Jackson Center 9-3
Fairlawn 6-6
Loramie 5-7
Botkins 2-10
Houston 1-11
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Versailles 64, Minster 27
VERSAILLES — Minster fell behind 16-3 after one quarter and never recovered in losing 54-27 at Versailles Friday night.
Minster was trying to create a four-way tie atop the league standings with a win. Instead, Versailles sits alone with a final league mark of 8-1, clinching an outright championship.
The Tigers were led by Justin Ahrens with 16 points and Brett McEldowney with 11. Peter Falk’s eight led Minster, which is 12-8 overall and closes regular-season play Friday at New Knoxville.
Minster hit just 9 for 47 from the field, 19 percent, while Versailles was hitting 63 percent on 22 for 35.
Minster (27) — I. Schmiesing 2, Hoelscher 2, B. Schmiesing 1, Stechschulte 2, Falk 8, Ernst 2, Tumbusch 2, Thobe 1, Stubbs 3, Huelsman 1, Broering 3.
Versailles (64) — Knapke 2, Wendel 2, J. Ahrens 15, McEldowney 11, AJ Ahrens 9, Niekamp 3, McEldowney 9, Richard 5, Custenborder 6, Hiestand 2.
Score by quarters:
Minster—3 13 16 27
Versailles—16 30 54 64
Three-pointers: Minster 2 (Falk, Stubbs); Versailles 7 (B. McEldowney 3, J. Ahrens 2, K. McEldowney, Richard).
Records: Minster 12-8, Versailles 16-6.
