By Terry Boehmker
NKyTribune sports reporter
If you printed out a shot chart for the Ryle boys basketball team after its victory in the semifinals of 9th Region tournament on Sunday, most of the dots for field goals made would be jammed together in a small area around the basket.
That’s where the Raiders did the majority of their scoring during a 64-37 win over Lloyd that puts them in the region final for the first time since 2002. Ryle (23-8) will play Covington Catholic (30-2) in the title game at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Truist Arena.
The Raiders attacked the basket so well that 24 of their 27 field goals came in the paint against Lloyd. They made 70.5 percent (24 of 34) of their two-point attempts and ended up shooting 65.9 percent (27 of 41) from the field overall.
“We always say, ‘Win the rebound battle, win the turnover battle, win the game,'” said Ryle coach Nick Dorning.
“Tonight, we added an extra one to that. We said. ‘If you win the paint, you’re going to have an opportunity to win that game.’ Our guys bought into that hook, line and sinker and executed. I’m super proud of them.”
By following their take-it-to-the-rim strategy, Ryle made 16 of its first 22 field goal attempts with just one three-point goal to forge a 35-23 in the first half.
The scoring leaders during that fast start were guards Anthony Coppola and Holden Smith and forward Grace Nsuti with eight points each.
Coppola’s only 3-point basket came in the third quarter and ignited a 12-9 run that put the Raiders ahead 47-32 going into the final frame. They got 12 of their last 17 points in the paint with Smith scoring on a drive to the basket to finish with a team-high 18 points.
Coppola’s final stats included 13 points, four assists and five defensive rebounds. The team’s other double-figure scorers were Nsuti with 12 points and forward AJ Davis with 10. Davis also had seven rebounds and four steals.
“We have everyone that can dribble and create shots for themselves,” Coppola said. “When you can do that, you can just see our unselfishness on display. Everyone’s creating, everyone’s moving and trusting each other.”
Lloyd ended up shooting 33.3 percent (13 of 39) and committed 14 turnovers. The Juggernauts were led by guards Anthony Blaackar and Isiah Golsby with 16 and 14 points. The two seniors accounted for 11 of their team’s 13 field goals.
“(Ryle) came to play today and we didn’t,” said Lloyd coach Michael Walker. “We came out slow. We kind of got some energy in the third quarter, but (Ryle) really brought it. They had energy and the ball went their way. That’s how the game goes.”
Walker said his team exceeded expectations by making it to the final four of the region tournament and finishing with a 23-5 record. The Juggernauts started the season with one returning starter and were ranked No. 8 in the Northern Kentucky coaches poll.
“No one picked us to be here, and we were,” Walker said. “It hurts for the seniors. This is their last time playing, which I get. But for this time of the season it’s unbelievable to be where we’re at.”
Ryle will be making its third appearance in the 9th Region championship game. Two previous teams won the 2002 tournament title and lost in the 1998 final.
The Raiders will be facing a CovCath team that was ranked No. 2 in the final statewide poll and beat them, 88-67, during the regular season. The Colonels play aggressive defense that limited their first two region tournament opponents to 41 points by forcing turnovers.
Coach Dorning said his team had some success against CovCath in their earlier game before “they really put it to us” late in the first quarter and early in the second.
“Those guys are absolutely relentless (on defense),” Dorning said. “We’re going to have to do a really good job of game planning, and taking care of the basketball is huge.”
CovCath knocked off Conner, 92-41, in the other 9th Region semifinal game on Sunday. It was the fifth time in tournament history that a team won by more than 50 points. The widest margin is 59 points, set in 1977 when Holmes defeated Bellevue, 115-56.
RYLE 18 17 12 17 — 64
LLOYD 14 9 9 5 — 37
RYLE (23-8): Colemire 1 0 3, Broz 2 0 4, Coppola 5 2 13, Davis 4 2 10, Smith 8 1 18, Nsulti 5 2 12, Warner 1 0 2, Draine 1 0 2. Totals: 27 7 64.
LLOYD (23-5): Golsby 5 2 14, Kabeya 1 1 3, Blaackar 6 4 16, Coleman 1 1 3, Barger 0 1 1. Totals: 13 8 37.
Three-pointers: R — Colemire, Coppola, Smith. L — Golsby 2, Coleman.
Boys basketball region tournaments
9TH REGION BOYS AT TRUIST ARENA
Tuesday
Championship game: Covington Catholic (30-2) vs. Ryle (23-8), 7 p.m.
10TH REGION BOYS AT MASON COUNTY FIELDHOUSE
Monday
Scott (16-14) vs. George Rogers Clark (27-4), 6 p.m.
Montgomery County (18-12) vs. Campbell County (22-9), 8 p.m.
Tuesday
Championship game, 7 p.m.