The interstate rivalry between Colerain and Ryle is trending Ryle’s way after the Raiders’ second consecutive win in the series, a 63-46 conquest Thursday night in Union.
Seniors Katie Connor, Dawn Johnson and McKell Oliverio helped keep hot-shooting Ryle unbeaten as the Raiders, ranked sixth in the Enquirer Northern Kentucky coaches’ poll, improved to 2-0.
“They shot 60 percent on 3-pointers and missed one of 17 free throws,” Colerain coach Dan Wallace said of the Raiders. “That’s good basketball.”
Ryle took control early against Colerain (1-3), ranked 10th in the Cincinnati area Division I poll, by connecting from long range. The Raiders led 21-8 after one quarter and went into halftime with a 31-21 lead.
Connor hit four 3-point baskets in the opening quarter, finished with five and scored 12 of her 15 points in the first half. Johnson had two 3-pointers and 10 points at the break, and finished with three 3s and a game-high 17 points.
“As we started banging those 3s, they started face-guarding us, and that opened up lanes for the guards to penetrate,” Johnson said.
Oliverio had eight points and junior Rachael Storer had eight rebounds for the Raiders, who hit nine 3-point shots. Connor, a first-year starter, has seven 3s in the first two games, providing Ryle with an extra dimension.
“Katie’s a great shooter,” coach Oliverio said. “When we play off the dribble, it spreads out our offense.”
Ryle’s inside-outside game forced Colerain to make tough choices while the Raiders’ defense kept the Cardinals from generating momentum.
Colerain, which lost two first-team all Greater Miami Conference players from last season’s fourth-place GMC finisher, was led by Jalan Latimer’s 15 points. Teammate Kaylee Allen added 14.
Ryle, the defending 33rd District champion and a regional semifinalist last season, saw its two returning starters inch closer to milestones.
Johnson needs less than 300 points to become the second-leading scorer in school history and 30 steals to become the all-time leader.
McKell Oliverio is looking to become the fifth Ryle player in five years to join the 1,000-point club.
The game against Colerain is part of Ryle’s larger plan to concentrate on playing out-of-area opponents during the front end of the schedule.
The Raiders play three Northern Kentucky opponents the first 10 games, and they are about to become a road show.
There is one home game between now and Jan. 5.
“We like to give our team a lot of different styles to play against because it forces us to learn to adapt,” coach Oliverio said.
Colerain (1-3) - Latimer 6 3 15, Allen 5 2 14, Elbe 1 0 3, Bolden 1 1 3, Stegmuller 1 1 3, Love 0 2 2, Merritt 1 0 2, Sherrer 1 0 2, Phillips 1 0 2. Totals 17 9 46.
Ryle (2-0) - Johnson 4 6 17, Connor 5 0 15, Menobe 3 4 10, Oliverio 3 2 8, Senvinsky 2 2 7, Storrer 1 2 4, James 1 0 2. Totals 19 16 63.
Halftime: Ryle, 31-21. 3-pointers: C 3 (Allen 2, Elbe), R 9 (Connor 5, Johnson 3, Senvinsky).
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