GENEVA — Less than 24 hours after clinching a share of the Chagrin Valley Conference Valley Division title, Kirtland showed no signs of a letdown Saturday, pulling away from host Geneva for a 63-44 nonconference win behind a career night from Mike Dumstorff.
“Last night was a pretty big win, just sharing the conference title, but we just want to get ready for the rest of our games and for the playoffs, so today was just a big step toward that,” Dumstorff said.
The Hornets (14-2) have now won three straight and six of their last seven, using a strong second quarter to create separation. Dumstorff scored 10 of his game-high 19 points during that stretch as Kirtland turned a one-point edge after the first quarter into a double-digit halftime lead.
“It was really just getting the ball inside, and I think our defense played really well,” Dumstorff said.
Kirtland led just 11-10 after the opening frame before outscoring Geneva 18-8 in the second quarter. Crisp ball movement and steady interior play sparked the surge, with Ben DiFranco and Lucas Renfro helping create easy scoring chances in the paint.
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“We were just getting good passes from guys like Ben DiFranco and Lucas Renfro, and I just put a lot of easy buckets in down low,” Dumstorff said.
The Hornets continued to control the tempo after the break, extending the lead to 43-29 through three quarters before closing strong with a 20-point fourth quarter.
Sammy Ridgeway added 13 points for Kirtland, while DiFranco chipped in 12. Jake LaVerde and Renfro each scored five points, AJ Runyan added four, and Ryan Caimi finished with two.
Dumstorff’s big game left him eager to continue the hot trend in the postseason.
“It does a lot for my confidence, just being able to finish around the paint, and I’m just hoping I can keep it going for the tournament,” Dumstorff said.
Geneva was led by Bryce Peet with 14 points, while Caden Proy and Antonio Rivera each scored 11.
Kirtland returns home Tuesday to host Perry as the Hornets continue to build momentum heading toward the postseason.
