New Headline: "Strasburg & Franklin Battle in Exciting 'Final Showdown' Amid Lockdown Loopholes!
Mar. 14—DAYTON — Russia advanced to the state tournament for the first time in program history by winning many low-scoring affairs with tough defense. The Raiders ran into a strong defensive opponent on Saturday and couldn't keep up.
Russia lost 38-17 to Strasburg-Franklin in the Division VII state final at University of Dayton Arena. The squad finishes 25-4 overall. While it was an uncharacteristically rough day for the Raiders, third-year coach Mike Bashore credited the program for making history, and for advancing after beating Seneca East 45-30 in a semifinal on Friday at Wright State's Nutter Center.
"The amount of effort these girls come in with every day — with a bad ankle, girl with a black eye, everybody's hurt all the time — and they show up every single day," Bashore said. "I feel bad. They wanted it so bad, they play so hard, and they're so fun coach.
... It didn't go our way today, but that doesn't detract from what we did. " Strasburg-Franklin shot 38 percent from the floor and forced Russia into 17 turnovers, which they scored 14 points off.
The Tigers capitalized on foul calls by making 13-of-15 foul shots. Russia made 5-of-33 field goal attempts (15. 2 percent).