Tournament Magic 25 Years Ago

The 2025 Tournament Brackets for high school girls basketball were set on Sunday. For a few lucky teams, an unpredictable magical moment will highlight their tournament trail. For Russia fans, it was a quarter century ago when folks saw a magic show and arguably the greatest comeback in school history.

The date was February 16, 2000 and #3-seed Russia's offense disappeared in the fourth quarter versus West Liberty-Salem in the opening round of the Sidney sectional. With exactly 60 seconds remaining in regulation, the Raiders trailed the Tigers by 12 points. Foul trouble was an added problem as starters Cassie Francis had four, Andrea Puthoff four, Abby Cordonnier four, Ashley Homan four and Laura Borchers three.

Cassie Francis, a sophomore with 17 points at the time, recalled the bleak moment to Fish Report this past Saturday. 

"When we were down 12 points with a minute to play, I looked at our student section and some boys were leaving for the exit." 

Seven seconds later Francis hit a three-pointer to cut the West Liberty lead to nine. What happened over the next 53 seconds was hocus pocus that even Harry Houdini would be proud of. Listen to the radio call on Hits 105.5 from the late Jim McBee and Lloyd Shoemaker:

Senior Abby Cordonnier, who later finalized her career as Russia's all-time leading scorer with 1,221 points, still remembers the crazy final minute of regulation and red hot shooting from her teammate Francis, in her comments to Fish Report on Sunday. 

"We ran flare twice and she hit both the three-pointers. Before the last one we called a timeout and changed the name of the play to rocket to try to throw them off, which it did and she nailed it! She was hot and we got her the ball. That last minute was something else."

In overtime, senior Laura Borchers scored five points on Russia's first two possessions and the Raiders won by the final score of 71-64. Head coach Don Cordonnier, who led the program from 1989 through 2004, was quoted after the game.

"It was probably the best game I've ever been a part of coaching wise. I've never seen anything like it. Cassie was just unconscious that final minute. We just kept running that stupid flare play because it was working and she kept knocking down the threes."

A week later, Russia captured the sectional championship over Springfield Catholic Central and eventually fell in the district tournament to league foe Jackson Center. In the years to come, Francis would go on to set several school records that still stand today, including passing her former teammate Cordonnier for the all-time scoring record. Francis' career total of 1,282 points is the current high mark for both the girls and boys programs. Fish Report listened to the radio call with Francis on Sunday and asked her what she remembers most about that historic night. 

"I can still feel the feelings I felt 25 years ago when I listen to that tape. It's probably the best memory of my four years playing. It has always stuck with me that Don never stopped coaching. Down 12 with a minute. I feel like most would have thrown in the towel. I loved playing for Don."

Here's the full report as documented by sportswriter and Russia graduate, the late Matt Zircher.

OHSAA Winter Sports Officials Appreciation Week

Referees are never perfect. Neither are coaches, players and fans.

January 12th-18th is Winter Sports Officials Appreciation Week as recognized by The Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA). The designation is part of the OHSAA’s Respect the Game program, which encourages sportsmanship among student-athletes, coaches, officials and spectators. “Officiating is both a service and a commitment, and we appreciate each individual in our state who serves as a contest official,” said OHSAA Director of Officiating Beau Rugg. The OHSAA has also encouraged member schools to read the following script before home contests this week and to promote on social media accounts.

At Fish Report we echo those sentiments and this school year more than ever. As press row broadcasters for all Russia home basketball games this winter, our announcers typically get fist bumps from each referee shortly before tip off. Similar to the fist bumps and handshakes between officials and opposing teams during player introductions. The unsolicited respect from OHSAA officials for our Fish Report team is appreciated and mutual. They certainly understand we won't agree on every call over four quarters, but we're all there for the same reason. Because we love the game!

Here's the top three Fish Report facts about referees we've confirmed after 21 years of covering high school sports and hundreds of contests:

• The winner of any game has NEVER decided by a referee.
• Referees know the rules BETTER than the media, fans, players and coaches.
• Fans that yell at referees ALWAYS look dumb.

Thanks OHSAA officials for all you do. We couldn't play high school sports without you.

Without sports officials, it’s just recess.