Russia’s Kate Sherman gives a little lift shortly after receiving the team’s district championship trophy following a 57-32 win over Xenia Legacy Christian on Saturday at Troy High School’s Trojan Activites Center. Sherman led the squad with 23 points.
Luke Gronneberg | Sidney Daily News
Russia’s Cece Borchers shoots as Xenia Legacy Christian Academy’s Audrey Stanley defends during a Division IV district final on Saturday at Troy’s Trojan Activities Center. Borchers scored 10 points.
Luke Gronneberg | Sidney Daily News
TROY — The trophy celebration following Russia’s victory in a Division IV district final was muted, especially considering the program hadn’t earned one since the current seniors were sixth graders.
But after close losses in district finals the last two years and a stellar regular season this year, the lack of an over-the-top trophy hoisting is probably a sign the title was an expectation.
If the team wins this Thursday, it’s probably safe to assume there will be a more rowdy celebration.
The Raiders beat Xenia Legacy Christian 57-32 on Saturday at Troy High School’s Trojan Activities Center to earn their first district title since 2017. They advance to face archrival Fort Loramie in a Div. IV regional semifinal at 8 p.m. on Thursday at Vandalia-Butler’s Student Activity Center.
Russia lost 54-41 at Fort Loramie in a Shelby County Athletic League game on Jan. 12 but hasn’t lost since. The Raiders have won 10 in a row, including a 43-40 win over the Redskins on Feb. 2 at Clair C. Naveau Gymnasium.
“We’re both good teams. We both play hard. I think it’ll just be who wants it more,” Russia senior center Kate Sherman said.
Sherman, who is 6-foot-2, led Russia (22-4) with 23 points and along with junior forward Roni Poling helped lead a 33-17 rebounding edge. Poling, who is 6-0, scored 12 points.
“I think our guards did a real nice job getting them the ball,” Russia coach Paul Bremigan said. “They were throwing it over the zone. They were behind the zone a few times, and they finished. I thought they did a great job on the boards.
“Kate did a great job changing shots. Whenever they came in the lane, they had to try over her.
Senior guard Cece Borchers scored 10 and senior guard Reese Goubeaux added eight.
Sherman, Borchers and Goubeaux are among eight seniors on Russia’s roster. The Raiders lost 52-43 to Tri-Village in a district final in 2021 and 47-42 to Cincinnati Country Day last year.
Russia, which was ranked just outside the top 10 in the final Associated Press state D-IV poll of the season, pulled away in the third quarter to earn a district title this year.
The Raiders finished the first quarter with an 8-1 run to take a 16-11 lead, then Poling hit two baskets in the first two minutes of the second to push the gap to nine points.
But Russia didn’t score again until late in the quarter, and Legacy made two 3’s and a free throw to pull within two points.
But Poling added another late basket, then Goubeaux hit a wide-open 3 from the left corner after in inbounds pass to push the lead to 25-18 at halftime.
The Knights (19-5) stayed close early in the third, but Sherman scored 10 points in the quarter and Borchers scored five to help lead a 22-8 scoring edge that secured the win.
“I thought Reese’s shot in the corner before half was big for us,” Bremigan said. “… I thought we made some changes on defense at halftime, and that was key for us. They started missing some shots.”
Bremigan said the squad is looking forward to Thursday’s regional semi.
“I’m sure it’ll be a fun one,” Bremigan said.
And if victorious, it’ll probably be a fun celebration.
