COVINGTON — The Covington and Russia girls basketball teams will play in the championship game of the Buccaneer Holiday Classic Wednesday.

On Tuesday in the opening round, Covington defeated Newton 59-30 and Russia defeated Bradford 61-45.

Newton and Bradford will play in the consolation game at 4:30 p.m., followed by Covington and Russia in the championship game.

Covington improved to 9-2 with the win, while Newton dropped to 4-6.

Newton was able to stay close early, getting within 7-5 after a Reese Hess free throw with 1:32 remaining in the opening quarter.

But, the Indians would go almost eight minutes without scoring as Covington ran off 14 straight points and took a 27-9 lead at halftime and increased it to 50-15 after three quarters.

Maggie Anderson had a big first half, scoring 13 points and hit a three to cap the 14-0 run, before Newton’s Layla VanCulin broke the drought with a putback.

Claudia Harrington scored 15 points in the second half andf led Covington with 21 points and five rebounds.

Maggie Anderson had a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds and Carlie Besecker added eight points and eight rebounds.

Gracie Anderson added six points and Claire Fraley grabbed 10 rebounds.

Emma Szakal led Newton with 14 points and three steals.

Hess grabbed seven rebounds and Mercedes Craig pulled down seven rebounds and blocked two shots.

Covington was 23 of 49 from the floor for 47 percent and made all nine of its free throw attempts.

Newton was 12 of 49 from the floor for 24 percent and six of nine from the line for 67 percent.

Covington won the battle of the boards 35-20 and had 13 turnovers to Newton’s 11.