[Stardust]

Having honored its five senior starters with newly affixed Fathead posters of each player on the gymnasium walls, Notre Dame was in a mood to celebrate Tuesday night.

http://nky.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.dll/...902180393/

Ryle put the kibosh on that, upsetting the Pandas on their home floor 66-56.

"We missed a lot of easy shots, but I really don't feel that bad about the way we played," Notre Dame coach Cheryl Darpel said. "From the sound of it, I think they (the Raiders) were pretty happy."

Ryle, ranked No. 5 in the Northern Kentucky girls' basketball coaches' poll, avenged a 27-point Dec. 19 loss to Notre Dame, ranked No. 4. Ryle coaches couldn't remember the last time the Raiders beat Notre Dame.

"They waxed us the first time," Raiders coach Patti Oliverio said. "But we're an improved team since then."

Freshman Jenna Crittendon, who missed Ryle's first 14 games, including the first meeting against Notre Dame in the Northern Exposure Classic at Boone County, sank three 3-point baskets and finished with a game-high 25 points.

"This proves we can beat anybody," said Crittendon, who has completely recovered from offseason left wrist surgery.

A win against Ryle would have given the Northern Kentucky Athletic Conference Division I championship to the Pandas, who have clinched at least a share of the big-school title.

Thanks to the surging Raiders, Boone County can pull into a tie atop the final NKAC Division I standings with Notre Dame (18-9) if the Rebels beat Dixie Heights on Friday.

Ryle (17-8) has won six straight games after losing five of six during a slide that began Jan. 10 with a four-game losing streak. But the Raiders can't win the local big-school championship.

That didn't matter much to Oliverio on Tuesday.

"This just shows that when we play up to our capabilities, we can finish games off and win," Oliverio said. "We were up by 10 against Highlands (Jan. 16) and had five turnovers late in the game and lost. Tonight, we held onto the ball. That's how much we've improved."

Oliverio had a feeling things might go the Raiders' way Tuesday when sophomore guard Abby Jump hit a 3-pointer while fouled on Ryle's first possession. She followed it up by hitting the ensuing free throw.

Jump hit three treys and finished with 18 points

"I've never seen a four-point play to begin a game," Oliverio said. "I thought it was good because it showed us pretty early that Abby was on, and we went to her."

Dawn Johnson's stick-back basket gave Ryle the lead for good at 53-52.

Jump iced it with four free throws in the final 33 seconds.

"This win gives us a lot of confidence before the playoffs," Jump said.

Maddie Walker and Kirsten Delph led the Pandas with 14 points each.

"We'll be shooting a lot (today)," Darpel said.

Ryle (17-8) - Crittendon 7 8 25, Jump 5 5 18, Meyer 3 5 11, Cheesman 1 4 6, Oliverio 2 0 4, Johnson 1 0 2. Totals 19 22 66.

Notre Dame (18-9) - Jackson 7 2 18, Walker 7 0 14, Delph 5 4 14, Albanese 0 6 6 6, Ludwig 1 0 2, Drees 1 0 2. Totals 21 12 56.

Ryle 12 22 13 19 66
Notre Dame 7 21 20 8 56

3-pointers: R 6 (Crittendon, Jump), N 2 (Jackson 2).