Kirtland’s girls’ basketball team made history with its 61-24 win at Richmond Heights on Saturday.
With the win, the Hornets closed out the regular season with a 22-0 record and tied the school record for wins in a single season.
“That’s really great for the kids,” said Kirtland coach Bob Bell. “That was something they wanted. Our No. 1 goal was to win the league championship and they did. The winning streak was an added bonus that went along with it. They’re very pleased and excited about their season and looking forward to the tournament coming up. I couldn’t be happier than I am for the girls.”
The Hornets took control of the game early as they went on a 15-3 first quarter run and led 36-5 at halftime.
Sydney Snyder scored a game-high 19 points and also pulled down seven rebounds and recorded six steals for Kirtland.
“I couldn’t be happier with these girls’ effort to come out and perform their best every game,” Snyder said. “We have worked all season to have a perfect record. Personally, it’s awesome to go undefeated during the regular season and I can’t wait to see what we can do in the tournament.”
Jenna Sayle also scored in double figures with 12 points and pulled down a team-high 11 rebounds and tied Snyder for the team-high with six steals. Lauren Lutz pitched in with eight points and seven rebounds.
Eight of the 12 Kirtland players who saw action scored in the game.
Kirtland earned the No. 2 seed in the Division III North Ridgeville District. The Hornets host the winner of No. 7 Beachwood and No. 10 Brooklyn on Feb. 24.
Snyder expects the Hornets to play with as much intensity and passion in the postseason as they did during the regular season.
“We are going to need to use practices as games and push one another as hard as we can to keep our momentum going, which I believe we will do,” she said. “We will work hard during this break that we have and we will give everything we have during the tournament.”
Kirtland 61, Richmond Heights 24
Kirtland (22-0, 14-0 CVC): L. Snyder 5, S. Snyder 19, Sayle 12, Lutz 8, Yurick 5, Camino 6, Coso 4, Martz 2, McCollister 0
Richmond Heights (5-14, 2-12): Hendon 3, Foy 7, Williams 7, Gates 2, Farris 5
Kirtland 15 21 13 12 — 61
Richmond Hts. 3 2 13 6 — 24
Free throws: Kirtland 10 of 14, Richmond Heights 8 of 11; 3-pointers: Kirtland 1 (S. Snyder), Richmond Heights 2 (Foy, Williams); Rebounds: Kirtland 40 (Sayle 11), Richmond Heights 23; Assists: Kirtland 17 (McCollister, L. Snyder, S. Snyder 4), Richmond Heights 3
