KIRTLAND—A 19-point first quarter helped Kirtland open the 2017-2018 season with a dominating 60-26 win over visiting Riverside on Saturday.
The Hornets recorded 12 steals in the game to keep the Beavers from settling into their offensive sets.
“We wanted to come out and establish our defense early,” said Kirtland coach Bob Bell. “I thought that was the key. We wanted to establish the defense and we figured if we could pick up some buckets from the defense, which we did, it would really help our offense.”
Bell’s strategy paid off as Sydney Snyder and Jenna Sayle both scored in double figures and eight different Hornets found the net.
Snyder finished with a game-high 24 points with eight rebounds, four steals, and an assist.
“It was totally the team,” Snyder said. “We definitely look for each other and always hit the open man.”
Sayle finished with 12 points, three rebounds, two steals and two assists. Lauren Snyder added eight points with four rebounds, four assists, a block and a steal and Katie McCollister finished with two points, four assists, three rebounds and three steals.
Lauren Lutz led the Hornets with 11 rebounds, five assists, and four blocked shots. She also scored four points and recorded two steals.
“I loved the rebounds and she passed the ball very well,” Bell said. “For her size, she plays so much bigger than what she really is. Her timing on rebounds is excellent. That is the key, one, being aggressive and smart on her timing, but it’s the timing of the rebounding. Positioning is important and the timing too, and that’s what she’s good at.”
Julia Camino, Amber Yurick and Haley Coso came off the bench to contribute to the win with five, three and two points, respectively. Yurick also recorded four rebounds and a pair of assists.
“Amber Yurick is going to play better and better and better. She is such an aggressive player,” Bell said. “Katie, Jenna and Lauren Snyder, and Amber and Julia Camino too, they all did a fabulous job. They all had their really good moments for us in ball handling, steals, shooting touch and so forth. Those are the seven who will do most of the playing for us.”
Kirtland led 27-11 at halftime and 42-14 after the third quarter.
Amanda Apanavicius led the Beavers with 10 points while Lauryn Holm contributed with five.
Kirtland hosts West Geauga on Wednesday while Riverside travels to Harvey on Monday.
