Ramsay’s high-intensity full-court pressure defense is designed to disrupt opposing offenses.

The Class 5A top-ranked Rams brought loads of talent and depth to the task during Tuesday’s Northwest Regional semifinal, posting a 74-60 victory over Madison Academy.

Ramsay forced 25 Madison Academy turnovers, 14 in the first half when the Rams built a 36-27 lead, and scored 31 points off turnovers in the game.

“We knew from film they struggled a little bit with pressure,” said Ramsay coach Denton Johnson. “Once we settled down, I thought our speed made a difference.”

It wasn’t the start Ramsay wanted, missing several easy shots at the basket.

“We started slow,” said Ramsay’s Kerrington Kiel. “Once it got to the second half, we settled down.”

Madison Academy led 20-19 after a Lawson Pippins basket with 3:50 left in the second quarter, using deadeye shooting and poor Ramsay shooting to grab the lead despite the rash of turnovers.

Ramsay ended the half on a 16-9 run, Kiel scoring eight of his 26 points during the stretch, to take a lead they wouldn’t relinquish.

The third quarter was all Ramsay.

“We knew at the half we had to pick it up,” said Ramsay’s Jalen Jones. “In the third quarter we came out and executed.”

The Rams forced seven more turnovers to start the period and upped the advantage to 50-29 on a Jones basket with 2:57 remaining.

Madison Academy never recovered.

Star of the Game: Ramsay’s Kerrington Kiel scored a game-high 26 points on 8-of-14 shooting, 2 of 5 on 3-pointers, and making 8-of-9 free throws. He also grabbed nine rebounds and had two steals.

Stat sheet: Ramsay – Jalen Jones 19 points on 9-of-15 shooting, seven assists, five steals; Montez Dunson 12 points on 3-of-6 shooting, 5-of-6 free throws, three assists, two steals.

Madison Academy – Cody Baerlocher 16 points, three assists; CJ Lowery 11 points; Lawson Pippins 10 points; Michael Stanford seven points, 11 rebounds.

By the numbers: Ramsay – Forced 25 turnovers with 17 steals (they average 25 steals a game), 25-of-51 shooting (49 percent), 25 rebounds, 32 points in the paint.

Madison Academy – 22-of-44 shooting (50 percent), 9-of-17 3-pointers (52.9 percent).

Next up: Ramsay plays Fairfield for the regional championship on Thursday.