Sports

TROY — Lehman Catholic played terrible in the first half of a Division IV sectional final. It didn’t exactly play well in the second half, but it played well enough to make a tremendous comeback.

SIDNEY — With one lone returnee on the court, Russia struggled in the first half of the season but has played strong in the second half.

Sidney senior Jarrett Payne, pictured above, won two events in the state swimming meet this weekend at C.T. Branin Nataorium in Canton. Payne finished first in the Division I boys 100 Backstroke in 46.78 seconds, nearly one second ahead of the second-place finisher. Payne also finished first in the boys 200 Medley in 1:48, over a second ahead of second place. They were the first individual state titles for Payne, who finished fourth in two events last year. He signed to compete for the University of Alabama in late December. More photos and videos from Payne’s weekend are below.

TROY — Botkins had some defensive problems late in regular season and did again in a Division IV sectional semifinal on Saturday, but its offense more than made up for it.

Russia’s Benjamin York shoots as Yellow Spring’s Otto Cippollini during a Division IV sectional semifinal on Friday at Troy High School’s Trojan Activities Center. The Raiders led 49-7 at halftime and won 65-30. Braylon Cordonnier scored 15 points, Felix Francis scored 14 and Dominic Francis scored nine. Russia is scheduled to face Tri-County North on Tuesday and will face the winner of Newton vs. Springfield Emmanuel Christian in a district semifinal on Friday in Troy.

VANDALIA — Sidney started a Division I sectional semifinal on Thursday with its worst quarter of the year but looked in good shape early in the fourth quarter.

Highlights from Sidney's 58-50 loss to Stebbins in a Division I sectional semifinal on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024 at Vandalia-Butler's Student Activity Center.

TROY — Sidney couldn’t keep up late in a Division I sectional final on Wednesday, but coach Jamal Foster said the team again displayed the grit it’s known for.

SIDNEY — Sidney beat Centerville by six points in a regular-season game on Jan. 11. If the squads will face off in the future after a sectional final on Wednesday, it will have to be in regular season.

CLAYTON — Anna got a reminder in the first quarter on Tuesday what tournament play is like. The reminder was all it needed.