Kirtland used a 28-point second quarter to pull away from host Berkshire in a 57-36 win on Wednesday.
The win was the first of the season for the Hornets, who improved to 1-2 on the year. Berkshire dropped to 3-1.
“We needed the victory,” Kirtland coach Bob Bell said. “We started off with two very tough teams on the road and we’re still trying to find ourselves, particularly on offense and we’re still trying to adjust to the fact that Sydney Snyder isn’t here anymore. We have to find a way to make up that 21 or 22 points per game and I thought we did it with defense tonight.”
Kirtland took a 14-13 lead into the second quarter.
The Hornets adjusted their press, which resulted in a 28-9 advantage in the second quarter.
“We went into some press,” Bell said. “We started off in a man press then we dropped back to half court man. I think that threw them off a little bit.”
That press helped the Hornets to force 35 Berkshire turnovers, many of which resulted in fast break points.
Freshman Grace Wolfe came off the bench to lead the Hornets in scoring with a game-high 20 points.
She scored eight points in both the second and third quarters as the Hornets pulled away from the Badgers.
“It was really exciting to score 20 points in a varsity game and definitely because it’s a whole different atmosphere and energy from middle school and previous years especially when you play against girls who could be four years older than you,” Wolfe said. “I try to do what’s best for my team by trying to create opportunities for my teammates to score as well as myself and I think just being in the right place at the right time position-wise, whether it was rebounding or a fast break, really worked to get so many looks to score.”
Jenna Sayle was 8-for-8 from the free throw line on the way to a 12-point night. Lauren Snyder contributed with seven points, Julia Camino and Amber Yurick both added six and Lauren Lutz and Reilly Greenlee both finished with three points in the win.
Lutz led the Hornets with nine rebounds.
Madison Chapman scored 16 points to lead the Badgers.
“Their guard play was very aggressive,” Bell said of the Badgers. “Madison Chapman is a very nice player. They came out very aggressive and never took their man-press off throughout the game. They stuck with it. To their credit, they were able to do that the whole ball game.”
Kirtland travels to Fairport Harding on Saturday while Berkshire hosts Cuyahoga Heights.
