They fought nerves and stretches of scant offense to do it, but Russia (Aryanna Cordonnnier, above) relied again on its defense and advanced to title day with a Division VII semi-final win over Seneca East.
At 23-3 the Botkins Trojans have been overlooked as a Division VII team that might have the goods to take down #1-ranked Delphos St. John. And after braking Lehman Catholic's ride in the regional semi-final, they're going to get that chance.
Lehman Catholic and Botkins won Division VII District championships, and will face each other in the regional semifinals. Lehman's high-octane offense will come face-to-face with Botkins' stout defense.
The first meeting two months ago ended strangely in Versailles' favor. Anna's redemption on Wednesday had its own strange flavor of unusual events in a girls Division V regional semifinal. Read Jeff Gilbert
Russia's stifling defense carried the Raiders through to the regional finals amidst a sluggish offensive performance. The Raiders used an 18-0 run to oust another lesser opponent. They'll face Cedarville, who knocked off Mississinawa Valley 49-43.
