By Terry Boehmker
NKyTribune sports reporter
Ryle girls basketball coach Katie Haitz knew it was going to be a good night when her team forced seven turnovers in the first eight minutes of the 9th Region championship game against Dixie Heights on Monday at BB&T Arena.
The early success the Raiders had with their full-court pressure defense gave them an advantage that they used repeatedly to come way with a 67-51 win and claim their second straight regional title.
Dixie Heights committed most of its 30 turnovers against the press and the Colonels never got their offense in sync like they did in upset victories over Conner and Highlands in the first two rounds of the tournament.
“The press has really been working for us,” said coach Haitz. “We made some adjustments since earlier in the season and it’s really been a staple for us now. For us to be successful with it makes all the difference in the world because we’re a team that gets amped up by our defense.”
Ryle (29-5) earned a berth in the first girls state tournament to be played at Rupp Arena. The Raiders will meet the winner of the 1st Region championship final between Murray and Marshall County in a first-round game at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, March 13.
The Raiders finished the regular season ranked No. 4 in the Associated Press state coaches poll so they should be on the list of leading contenders in the state tournament field.
“I can’t wait,” Ryle senior Lauren Schwartz said of playing in Rupp Arena. “We’re going to prepare for that the next week and a half and try to make our run in the state tournament.”
Schwartz had a big game in the regional final and was named most valuable player on the all-tournament team. In addition to scoring a game-high 20 points, she had six rebounds, five steals, two assists and two blocked shots.
It was a breakaway layup off a steal by Schwartz that put her team ahead 13-2 midway through the first quarter. Dixie Heights responded with a 14-4 run that cut the margin to 17-16, but the Raiders pulled away once again and led 33-25 at halftime.
After the break, Ryle went back with its full-court pressure and scored nine points off turnovers during a 19-4 run that extended its lead to 52-29. The Colonels started hitting 3-point shots, but the closest they got was 13 points, 60-47, with less than four minutes left on the clock.
Ryle ended up scoring 29 points following turnovers by Dixie Heights. The Raiders shot 48 percent (25 of 52) from the field compared to the Colonels’ 42 percent (19 of 45).
“Turnovers and rebounds hurt us a lot,” said Dixie Heights coach Joel Steczynski. “We knew we had to take care of the ball a lot better against them. Their bigger bodies and longer arms were just a little more than what we’re used to.”
Dixie Heights tied a regional championship game record with eight 3-point goals. Senior guard Grace Perry made three of them and finished with a team-high 17 points. Ryle junior guard Maddie Scherr finished with 16 points, nine rebounds, three assists and four steals.
“We pressed them when we played them during the regular season and got a lot of steals and transitions,” Scherr said. “We definitely knew that was the best way to get a W this time.”
DIXIE HEIGHTS 14 11 13 13 — 51
RYLE 17 16 21 13 — 67
DIXIE HEIGHTS (22-11): Perry 6 2 17, Lockard 3 0 8, Lawson 5 3 13, McGinn 2 0 4, Reinhart 1 0 3, Pelfrey 1 0 3, Fields 1 0 3. Totals: 19 5 51.
RYLE (29-5): Crittendon 3 6 12, McGregor 4 0 8, Johnson 3 2 8, Schwartz 8 3 20, Scherr 6 4 16, Douthitt 1 0 3. Totals: 25 15 67.
3-point goals: DH — Perry 3, Lockard 2, Reinhart, Pelfrey, Fields. R — Schwartz, Douthitt.
ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
Ryle — Lauren Schwartz (MVP), Maddie Scherr, Brie Crittendon. Dixie Heights — Celia Pelfrey, Sydney Lockard. Highlands — Zoie Barth, Piper Macke. Notre Dame — Lacey Bradshaw, Danielle Rennekamp. Conner — Courtney Hurst. NewCath — Annie Heck. Ludlow — Morgan Lantry. Holy Cross — Grace Bezold.
Collins 45, Simon Kenton 42
Collins senior forward Jeian Hayes made a field goal and free throw with seven seconds left to give her team the victory in the 8th Region championship game.
Simon Kenton freshman guard Alexis Baker got off a final 3-point shot, but the ball bounced off the rim as the final horn sounded and the Pioneers were denied a third straight regional title.
The game’s only double-figure scorers were Hayes and Simon Kenton junior guard Maggie Jones with 12 points each. Jones tied the score, 42-42, on a layup with a little over a minute left on the clock.
Collins (23-12) will make its first appearance in the state tournament. Simon Kenton ends the season with a 21-12 record.
George Rogers Clark 59, Scott 53
After Scott took a 43-37 lead midway through the fourth quarter of the 10th Region semifinal game, George Rogers Clark went on an 14-1 run to take control and came away with the victory.
Clark junior guard Kennedy Igo made five 3-point goals and finished with a game-high 25 points. Scott’s leading scorers were senior Summer Secrist and sophomore Mya Meredith with 22 points each. They were both named to the all-tournament team.
Scott closes the season with a 23-11 record. Clark (23-10) will play Harrison County in the regional championship game on Tuesday.