SOLON — The varsity Spartans sank WaMaC West rival Clear Creek Amana (CCA) 77-38 Tuesday, Dec. 13 at home after shelling the “Boats” 23-8 in the first period and racking up a 53-14 halftime lead.
Jake Benzing and Vine Steinbrech led with 15 points apiece. Gehrig Turner produced ten points with nine from Oaken Foster, six from Rylen Stiegelmeyer, and five apiece from Sean Stahle, Cole Buffington, Will Cusick, and Isaiah Zoske. Austin Knight had two points for Solon as well.
Foster led in rebounds with seven, Benzing and Steinbrech pulled down six apiece with four from Cusick, three from Turner, two by Brayden Miller, and one each from Stiegelmeyer and Jace Janssen. Turner had eight assists and five steals.
The tables turned on the Spartans Friday, Dec. 16 in a WaMaC East contest as the Marion Wolves visited and won 70-52.
The Wolves took the first period 15-5 as Benzing put up Solon’s only points in the quarter. By halftime, Solon trailed 35-10 with Stahle, Turner, and Benzing only scoring from the free throw line. During the break Coach Jared Galpin rallied his troops, who came out for a 19-point performance in the third period but still trailed 53-29. A 23-point effort in the final eight minutes just wasn’t enough to close the gap.
Marion’s Brayson Laube led all with 33 points including six three-pointers. Solon was led by Benzing with 26 points and four three-pointers. Stahle and Turner had five points each, Buffington had a four-point night, Stiegelmeyer and Foster had three points each with two apiece from Knight, Steinbrech, and Cusick.
Steinbrech led Solon in rebounds with five, Stahle made three, Foster and Buffington pulled down two each with one apiece by Stiegelmeyer, Benzing, Turner, Knight, Janssen, and Cusick. Stahle had three assists, Buffington and Steinbrech had two steals each.
Solon moved to 3-2 overall and 2-2 in the WaMaC East while Marion improved to 4-2 overall and 3-0 in the conference.
Sparty’s boys return to the hardwood Tuesday, Jan. 3 for a girl-boy doubleheader against WaMaC West foe Williamsburg. JV girls and freshmen boys tip off at 4:30 p.m. with varsity girls and sophomore boys at 6:00 and varsity boys at 7:15. Solon travels to Benton Community Friday, Jan. 6.
WaMaC East standings (12-19-22)
Conf. Overall
W. Delaware 3-0 6-1
Mt. Vernon 3-0 5-1
Marion 3-0 4-2
Solon 2-2 3-2
Independence 1-2 3-4
Oaken Foster and Marion’s Calen Claypool battle in the opening tip off Friday, Dec. 16 in Solon. The Wolves topped the Spartans 70-52.