Russia edges out Lady Trojans
SIDNEY — Familiar faces made for a dramatic night.
Botkins and Russia met for the third time this season, this time in a Division IV district semifinal, with the Lady Raiders pulling out a 45-44 win to advance.
Things went back and forth in the first half, with Russia holding a three-point lead at the break. That lead grew to nine, but Botkins roared back to take the lead headed into the fourth.
Russia controlled matters to start the fourth, but the Lady Trojans went back up by two with a minute to play.
Sophie Francis then made two free throws to tie it, then drew another foul. With 26 seconds to go, she made one more for the lead.
Botkins turned the ball over on a five-second call. They did manage to get one final attempt, but it was off target, bringing an end to their season.
The Lady Trojans finish the 20-21 run with a mark of 17-8. It is the fifth most wins in the program’s history.
Coach Phil Groves of Botkins said “they played from the tip to the final horn” and praised their effort on the night.
“It’s a tough way for it to end,” said Groves. “There were just a couple possessions that we needed to get stops and couldn’t do it.”
He also complimented the team’s three seniors — Makenna Maurer, Madison Wendel and Jill Greve. “I want to thank them for their dedication and leadership,” he said.
Carmen Heuker had 16 points for Botkins, and Camdyn Paul scored 14.
Russia was led by Kate Sherman with 13 and Ashley Scott with 10 points.
Raiders coach Andy Timmerman noted that the team’s free throw shooting has improved the last couple of weeks, which paid off Monday night.
“We knew there were going to be runs. We did a good job responding.” He added that the team managed to stay evenkeeled.
“They have come together really well,” Timmerman said.
Each team turned it over on its first possession of the night.
The first points did not come until the three-minute mark, when Heuker forced a turnover and took the ball for a layup. She then had a three-point play to make it 5-0.
Russia got going over the next couple of minutes with a 10-0 burst, including a couple baskets by Cece Borchers.
Camdyn Paul rattled in a three-pointer. Maurer then made one of two free throws.
After a Russia score, Maurer made two more with less than a second left to get Botkins within one, 12-11.
Sherman and Simone Puthoff hit shots to start the second for Russia.
Boston Paul then hit from the top of the arc, and then another for two to tie it.
Ella Hoehne made two shots for Russia. Heuker then drained a three, and scored
again with just over three minutes to go, giving Botkins its first lead since the opening minutes.
However, Russia would control matters in the closing stretch, with Scott and Sherman each making two free throws and Puthoff getting a second-chance score in between.
A short-range jumper by Camdyn Paul was Botkins’ only score before the halftime buzzer sounded with Russia up 26-23.
A free throw by Sherman was followed by a trey from Scott and saw Botkins call time with 5 1/2 minutes to play.
Sherman made a steal and took it the other way for the basket.
Over the remaining four minutes of the period, however, Botkins stomped on the gas and roared to life. Heuker made two free throws. Camdyn Paul and Heuker then each scored and it was Russia’s turn to call time.
Camdyn Paul was then bumped while attempting a threepointer. With 51 seconds to go, she hit all three and drew things even.
The Lady Trojans had one more card to play, with Maurer hitting a three with seven seconds to go.
Russia answered the bell to start the fourth, going on a 7-0 run.
Camdyn Paul made a steal in the backcourt and put it in, but Scott answered for the Raiders with a three.
Greve then fouled out with 2:18 to play.
Heuker scored at the two-minute mark to make it a threepoint game. Boston Paul hit from long range 30 seconds later. Camdyn then picked Russia’s pocket and laid it in to put Botkins up 44-42.
Russia called timeout with 59 seconds to go.
They got the ball in and Francis was fouled with 47 seconds left. After tying it, Russia got the ball back and she made the go-ahead shot.
After the five-second call gave the ball back to Russia, Botkins refused to quit. Boston Paul managed to get the ball.
She raced downcourt and fired up a prayer, but it went off the side of the backboard.
Game Notes
Both schools well represented by their fan bases.
The three contests between the teams were decided by a total of seven points.
Russia will face the winner of Monday’s second game between Tri-village and Franklin Monroe in the district final on Saturday. Score by quarters
Botkins 11 12 12 9 -- 44
Russia 12 14 6 13 -- 45
BOTKINS (44)
Camdyn Paul 4-1-3-3-14; Makenna Maurer 0-1-3-4-6; Malanie Maurer 0-0-00-0; Carmen Heuker 5-1-3-4-16; Madison Wendel 0-0-0-0-0; Jill Greve 0-0-0-2-0; Boston Paul 1-2-0-0-8; Aleah Johnson 0-0-0-0-0; TOTALS 10-5-9-13-44.
RUSSIA (45)
Kate Sherman 4-0-5-6-13; Cece Borchers 2-0-0-0-4; Ella Hoehne 3-0-0-0-6; Reese Goubeaux 0-1-0-0-3; Ashley Scott 0-2-44-10; Sophie Francis 1-0-3-6-5; Simone Puthoff 2-0-0-0-4; TOTALS 12-3-12-16-45.