Seann McGill scored a career-high 27 points and Brandon Samsa and Kyle Work also scored in double figures to lead Kirtland to a 70-60 nonconference win over visiting Wickliffe on Friday.
Samsa scored 18 points and Work added 12 in the win.
“Seann McGill and Kyle Work were excellent tonight on both sides of the floor,” said Kirtland coach Nick Gallo. “We need them to continue to be superb around the rim.”
McGill has stepped up early in the 2017-2018 season, especially on offense where he has developed into a go-to scorer for the Hornets.
“I was really using my size to my advantage,” McGill said. “I was getting to my spots and the shots were falling. We also ran really well in transition and my teammates were getting me the ball around the rim. This was a great win for our team as a whole.”
Samsa drained all four of Kirtland’s 3-pointers in the win.
The Hornets improved to 3-2 overall with two consecutive wins. Kirtland will play two key conference games next week as part of a three-game swing to open the first week of January.
“This was a huge win for us as we have three big games next week,” McGill said. “So this was a huge boost of confidence that we needed. As we start jelling as a team, I think we will start stringing the wins together.”
Wickliffe fell to 4-5 on the year.
Kirtland 70, Wickliffe 60
Wickliffe: Abramczyk 4, Brown 15, Galioto 8, Colbert 5, Zollars 9, Olsen 17
Kirtland (3-2): Capretta 4, Mueller 4, Samsa 18, Cosgrove 2, Fulco 1, Krulc 2, Work 12, McGill 27
Wickliffe 13 15 14 18 — 60
Kirtland 23 16 11 20 — 70
Free throws: Kirtland 6 of 12, Wickliffe 8 of 15; 3-pointers: Kirtland 4 (Samsa), Wickliffe 6 (Olsen 4)
