Sports

SIDNEY — Sidney has gotten its dose of taller opponents the last two games and is hoping those experiences can help come tournament time.

Botkins’ Jordan Herzog shoots as Russia’s, left to right, Hayden Quinter, Braylon Cordonnier and Felix Francis defend during a Shelby County Athletic League game on Friday at Clair C. Naveau Gymnasium. The Raiders pulled away in the second half to beat the Trojans 65-52. Russia led 14-12 at the end of the first quarter and outscored Botkins 18-14 in the second, 16-11 in the third and 16-15 in the fourth. Quinter led Russia with 18 points while Cordonnier scored 13, Vince Borchers scored 11 and Brayden Monnin scored 10. Herzog led Botkins with 13 points.

Sidney senior Eli Biddle poses after signing to play football for Findlay in a ceremony on Friday evening at Sidney High School’s library. Biddle was a first team all-MVL selection for the Yellow Jackets last fall. He is also a standout wrestler; he set a program record for consecutive pins last night against Piqua with his 10th in a row.

Sidney’s Jarrett Payne competes during a meet against Greenville on Saturday at the Sidney-Shelby County YMCA. It was the final home meet in a storied career for Payne. He holds seven of eight individual records in Sidney’s program history and two of three relay records. He is the top-ranked swimmer in the state according to swimmeet.com’s Power Points 100. After finishing fourth in two events in the Division I state meet last year, he is looking to earn a state title this year. He and the Yellow Jackets will begin postseason competition in a sectional tournament this weekend at Trotwood-Madison. Read more about Payne’s career at SidneyYellowJackets.org.

Sidney’s Eli Biddle turns Piqua’s Parker James onto his back before pinning him during a dual at Roosevelt Field House on Thursday in Piqua. Biddle, who competes in the 285-pound weight class, won by pin. It was his 10th consecutive win by pin, a program record. The Yellow Jackets lost 59-18. They will compete in the Miami Valley League championship meet next Friday at Vandalia-Butler’s Student Activity Center.

RUSSIA — Fort Loramie had already secured its seventh consecutive Shelby County Athletic League title entering a matchup on Thursday. After losing a regular-season finale at Russia a year ago, the Redskins wanted to avoid a similar result.

Sidney senior Braxton Brewer poses for a photo shortly after signing with Anderson during a ceremony on Thursday at Sidney High School’s library. Brewer signed a letter of intent to compete for Anderson in soccer and swimming. He is a standout in both sports for the Yellow Jackets and plans to study computer science at Anderson.

SIDNEY — It was an afternoon for celebration in the Lehman Catholic gymnasium, as five seniors made their college choices in front of the student body, cheerleaders and pep band in the Schlater Family Gymnasium.

PLEASANT HILL — Botkins had won five consecutive games before Tuesday and was looking to keep its winning streak going heading into a Shelby County Athletic League showdown at Russia on Friday.

Highlights from Botkins' 62-60 overtime loss to Newton in a nonconference game on Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024.