Similar to Tuesday, the Ryle Raiders (13-3) found themselves trailing a 9th Region opponent entering the fourth quarter.
In this case, the deficit was five points against the Dixie Heights Colonels (9-5). But the experienced Raiders outscored the Colonels, 18-8 in that final quarter on their way to a 61-51 win to stay undefeated in 9th Region play at 4-0 in a battle of two teams that played hard-nosed man-to-man defense. Dixie Heights is 4-2 against region opponents.
“We were trying to decide who’s guarding who,” said Katie Haitz, Ryle head coach. “Once (junior forward Abby Thelen fouled out with 4:04 left in the game), we started being able to move the ball back into the post and things like that. I was really proud of the girls again. They can be very coachable. I’d like to see us not make so many adjustments at halftime. They moved the ball better. Rebounding was another big, key thing.”
Junior forward Quinn Eubank spearheaded the comeback scoring nine of her 21 points in the pivotal fourth quarter, including two open-court lay-ups. Eubank even picked off a pass near the basket when Dixie Heights tried to pass to the corner for a three-point shot.
“We practice these situations a lot,” Eubank said. “It’s just about knowing we have to come together as a team at the end of the day. We’ve been playing with each other for three or four years so we know we need to trust each other so we can get back in the game together.”
Senior guards Abby Holtman and Austin Johnson recorded their usual contributions. Johnson scored 16 points making all six free throws and Holtman scored 15 knocking down two three-pointers.
Dixie Heights leading scorer Sammy Berman scored 23 points and freshman guard Coralee Pelfrey added 11. The Colonels had a lot of success penetrating and finding outside shooters in the first three quarters.
But Ryle held Dixie Heights senior guard Ella Steczynski to just four points and no three-pointers. Steczynski came into the game averaging 13.2 points per game and averaged three 3-pointers a game.
“We just struggled to get the offensive looks that we wanted specifically in the fourth quarter,” said Joel Steczynski, Dixie Heights head coach. “We did a good job on the boards. Our biggest fallback is we just fouled them too much. Eubank got to the rim a lot on us and Holtman got going more in the second half. If you allow them to do that, the result is probably not going to be what you want.”
Freshman small forward Jaelyn Jones, Johnson and junior guard Gracie Carrigan shared the responsibilities guarding Steczynski. That included not helping off Steczynski when Berman penetrated. Jones has taken advantage of her opportunities with senior guard Meredith Snider injured and her return unknown.
“We tried not to let her get the ball. She’s a great three-point shooter so we had to find her in transition and make sure we knew where she was,” Jones said of Steczynski. “We talk a lot on defense, which helps us know where everyone is supposed to be. That helps us trust each other more.”
Dixie Heights finished the first half with a 7-0 run to go up 27-21. Ella Steczysnki finished the run with a lay-up.
The Colonels extended their lead to nine points twice in the third quarter including a 39-30 advantage with 3:15 left after junior guard Jalynn Brooks made two free throws. But Ryle closed the quarter with an 8-4 run.
Dixie Heights also has some players returning soon from injuries in senior guard Reese Smith and sophomore guard Catherine Buddenberg. Smith last played against Assumption on Dec. 28.
Ryle travels to Franklin County on Saturday to play in the Simpson’s Tree Service/H+W Sports Classic against Frederick Douglass (7-4) at 7:45 p.m. Dixie Heights takes on East Central (Indiana) on Wednesday at 7 p.m.
Girls Basketball
Simon Kenton 49, Notre Dame 46
The Pioneers (9-5) bested the Pandas (9-3) at the buzzer on Brynli Pernell’s 3-pointer.
Senior forward Emilee Eggleston returned from injury to score 11 points and grab six rebounds for Simon Kenton. Freshman guard Megan Gadzala scored 11 points and Pernell scored 10.
Senior forward Noelle Hubert led Notre Dame with 22 points. Sophomore 6-foot-4-inch center Sophia Gibson scored eight.
Simon Kenton takes on Grant County (10-5) in a key 32nd District seed game Saturday at 4 p.m. Notre Dame plays DuPont Manual on Saturday at the Simpson’s Tree Service /H&W Sports Classic at Franklin County on Saturday at 4:45 p.m.
Highlands 45, Scott 35
The Bluebirds (9-5) downed the visiting Eagles (8-5) in a non-region game.
Senior point guard Alyssa Harris led the Bluebirds with 15 points and sophomore center Marissa Green scored 14. Freshman guard Kaylee Mills added nine points. Highlands made 11 of 15 free throws for 73 percent.
Senior guard Autumn Ponder led Scott with 15 points and senior post Kayla Overman scored eight.
Both teams return to action Saturday. Highlands travels to Campbell County (6-8) for a 2:30 p.m. game and Scott travels to Montgomery County (11-5) for a 3:30 p.m. game.
Other Girls Basketball Scores
Pendleton County 65, Lloyd Memorial 25
9th Region All “A” Tournament semifinals at Newport
Holy Cross 48, St. Henry 26
Ludlow 56, Bellevue 47
It will be a rematch of last season’s 9th Region All “A” finals as Ludlow rallied from a six-point fourth quarter deficit.
Bellevue led by as much as 11, but couldn’t close as leading scorer Sydni Massey missed the contest.
The Panthers had three in double figures in the comeback win, led by Ava Hoffmeister and Addy Garrett with 16 points apiece. Prestyn King added 14 points while Mylee Garrett chipped in eight.
Bellevue dropped to 9-6 with the loss.
Ludlow and St. Henry will battle for the title at Newport on Saturday at 7 p.m.
