COVINGTON — The Russia Raiders captured the boys 2025 Buccaneers Holiday Classic championship Saturday night with a commanding 63-34 victory over the Bradford Railroaders at Covington High School.
Russia edged out to an 11-7 first-quarter lead, then outscored Bradford 16-4 in the second quarter, highlighted by a decisive 12-0 closing run to take a 28-11 advantage into the halftime break.
Bradford showed life to open the third quarter, using an 8-2 spurt to trim the Raiders’ lead to 11 at 30-19, but Russia quickly answered. The Raiders closed the period on a 13-3 run, pushing the margin back to double digits at 43-24 heading into the final eight minutes.
Russia left no doubt in the fourth quarter, opening the frame with a 14-6 run on the way to a 29-point tournament-clinching win.
Sophomore forward Grant Bergman led all scorers with a game-high 21 points for Russia, while Rallie Wirrig paced Bradford with 15 points.
Tournament honors followed the championship performance, as Russia senior Cooper Unverferth was named Buccaneers Holiday Classic Most Valuable Player.
Joining him on the All-Tournament Team were Cameron Ball (Arcanum), Rallie Wirrig and Greg Chowning (Bradford), and Russia’s Maddox Goubeaux and Grant Bergman.
SCORE by Quarters
11-17-15-20 63 Russia
07-04-13-10 34 Bradford
