PIQUA — The Bradford boys basketball team stayed close for a half Tuesday night in Piqua D-IV sectional action, before Troy Christian pulled away for a 68-47 victory.

Troy Christian, 22-2 and the second seed will play third seed Cedarville (19-5) at 6 p.m. Friday in district semifinal at Garbry Gymnasium.

The Eagles won the regular season meeting 69-48.

Bradford closed the season at 13-10 — having won 13 games or more for the third straight season and winning a postseason game for the first time in 27 years.

It was a back-and-forth battle in the opening quarter as both teams pushed the ball down the floor.

Parker Penrod scored nine points in the opening quarter for the Eagles and Hudson Hill had eight for Bradford and two free throws by Penrod put Troy Christian up 17-15.

Four points by Hudson Hill had given Bradford a 19-17 lead early in the second quarter.

But, Troy Christian would outscored the Railroaders 15-3 the rest of the quarter to go up 51-33 at halftime.

Landon Wills scored the first four points of the third quarter, to get Bradford within 32-26. But, that is as close as they could get.

The Eagles would increase the lead to 51-33 after three quarters and pull away in the fourth quarter.

Penrod finished with 32 points — including 18 in the first half.

Alex Free would score 10 points, Frank Rupnik netted six points and Christian Brusman scored five points.

Landon Wills led Bradford with 19 points.

Hill would scored 15 points, Owen Canan netted seven points and Rallie Wirrig added five points.

Newton 44.

Emm. Christian 36

TROY — In Troy D-IV sectional action Tuesday, the Newton boys basketball team advanced to Friday’s district semifinal at the Trojan Activity Center.

Newton 15-9 and the 11th seed will play top seed Russia (23-1).

Russia advanced with an 82-14 win over Tri-County North Tuesday.

Newton trailed 11-9 after one quarter, but took a 19-18 halftime and increased it to 31-26 after three quarters.

Quinn Peters led Newton with 13 points and Max Newhouse added nine points.

Austin Tippie scored six points and Luke Cornett and Rhett Koffer added five points each.

WEDNESDAY

Tippecanoe 61,

Meadowdale 57

TROTWOOD — The Tippecanoe boys basketball team shook off 12 days rust and held on for a win in Trotwood D-II sectional action.

The Red Devils, 21-2 and the third seed will play 11th seed Dunbar in second round action at 7:30 p.m. Saturday.

Jackson Smith had a big game for the Red Devils with 25 points.

Maddox Sivon scored 13 points and Caden Turner added 12 points.

Preston Zumwalt netted seven points and CJ Bailey added five points.

Jackson Center 47,

Covington 25

PIQUA — The Covington boys basketball season ended in a second round action in the Piqua D-IV sectional at Garbry Gymnasium.

Covington finished the season with a 9-15 record.

The game was tied 11-11 after one quarter.

Jackson Center took a 20-13 lead at halftime and increased it to 35-21 after three quarters.

Britton Milled led the Buccs with 11 points and Bryson Hite added seven points.

Sports Editor Rob Kiser can be reached at [email protected]