DAYTON, Ohio — Richmond Heights was challenged, but the Spartans outlasted Russia, 66-51, to keep its winning streak alive and advance to the Ohio High School Athletic Association boys basketball Division IV championship game on Sunday.

What You Need To Know

  • Richmond Heights is one step closer to repeating as OHSAA boys basketball Division IV state champions, beating Russia 66-51 Friday night

  • The Spartans have won 48 straight games

  • Convoy Crestview will be the opponent in Sunday's championship game

The Raiders went ahead 38-36 on a Hayden Quinter free throw in the third quarter, but a Demarris Winters, Jr. three on the next possession gave Richmond Heights the lead for good. The Spartans scored 18 of the game’s next 22 points, for a 54-42 lead in the fourth.

Despite the 47-game winning streak, athleticism and length, the Raiders didn’t back down at all, leading for most of the first half. Brayden Monin (20) and Quinter (17) drove and attacked the rim, combining for 37 of the team’s 51 points.

The Spartans shared the scoring load, with Dorian Jones turning in 17, Hosea Steele, Jr. 16, De’Erick Barber 14, and Winters, Jr. had 10.

Richmond Heights (28-0) has now won 48 straight games, and will look to win back-to-back state championships. The Spartans will get Convoy Crestview in the Division IV final Sunday at 2 p.m., which you can see on Spectrum News 1 and the Spectrum News App.

Correction: The Sunday’s Division IV championship time was incorrectly listed. The story has been update to reflect the correct time of 2 p.m. (March 18, 2023)