Russia game is déjà vu in more ways than one

Braylon Cordonnier and the Raiders are back at state facing a familiar foe

Hall of Fame baseball catcher Yogi Berra once said, "It's deja vu all over again". That Yogism is perfect this week for members of the Russia boys basketball program. For the second consecutive year the Raiders return to UD Arena for the Division IV State Tournament and take on Richmond Heights again in the semifinals. Tip off is Friday at 2:00 and there's a variety of options for following the action. You can buy a ticket, listen on Scores and WTGR, or watch live on streaming video.

Of course Russia fans hope the similarities to last year end when both teams take the floor on Friday. That's because the Spartans topped the Raiders in the 2023 semis 66-51 in route to back-to-back state championships. As a matter fact, Richmond Heights is playing their fifth consecutive state tournament since 2019 (the 2020 tournament was cancelled) and also aiming for their third straight gold trophy. That potential title trifecta has only been accomplished four times in the OHSAA tournament since 1922 by Dayton Stivers, Columbus Wehrle, Cincinnati North College Hill and Cincinnati Moeller. Fish Report readers younger than 40 may not recognize the Columbus Wehrle name after the school closed in 1991, but believe me when I tell you they were the Richmond Heights of my childhood.

Myself and some guy named Brett Lawrence on 'X' share a similar opinion

Wehrle won small school Class A and D-IV championships in 1986, 1988, 1989 & 1990. That one missing title in 1987 would have arguably cemented the Wolverines as the greatest dynasty in OHSAA boys basketball history. However, that particular year Wehrle (25-0), the AP #1-ranked team in Ohio and USA Today #9-ranked team in the nation, ran into a little ole team from the Shelby County League in the regional finals named the Ft. Loramie Redskins (19-6). Ft. Loramie brought an entire village and zone defense into UD Arena that Friday evening. As Sidney Daily News sports editor Ken Barhorst reported, the building shook from the noise and the Redskins sent shock waves across Ohio when they won 51-49.

Ft. Loramie was front page news 37 years ago after their monumental upset

 
For any really young Fish Report readers brushing off that ancient history because you're a Gen Zer with a DraftKings account, here's a perspective you might appreciate. If gambling odds were allowed on that game in 1987 it's likely Wehrle would have been favored 100-1. Probably the same odds as this Friday when Russia plays Richmond Heights. The Raiders have been underdogs before though. Most notably, in the 2022 baseball state finals. Facing an Ohio State bound pitcher that was 24-0 in his career with one last start against a little ole team from the Shelby County Athletic League. Russia's entire village showed up and so did ballplayers named Brayden Monnin, Felix Francis, Hayden Quinter and Braylon Cordonnier, who all competed in the finale and won a state championship 10-4. Those same boys will be on the court this Friday with their teammates when the north end of UD Arena turns into a sea of blue and gold. If Russia beats the odds and Raider fans shake the building, it could be deja vu all over again or it might be time for a different Yogi Berra saying. How about, "It ain't over till it's over"!

These seniors combined will have competed in six state tournaments
(Picture by Cara Daugherty)