SOLON — The varsity boys moved to 9-4 overall (7-3 in the WaMaC East) after a three-game week that saw wins over rival Mount Vernon and Independence, and a non-conference loss to No.9-ranked (in class 3A) North Polk.
Solon 78 Mount Vernon 58
The Spartans traveled to Mount Vernon Tuesday, Jan. 17 to face the rival Mustangs on the hardwood and won by 20 points, 78-58. The Mustangs led 18-12 after the first period and were up 37-30 at halftime despite an 18-point effort from Solon. Sparty’s Boys rallied in the third period with a 25-point effort while holding their hosts to a mere seven and put the game away with 23 points in the fourth.
Oaken Foster led all with 19 points, Gehrig Turner had 12 with 11 each from Sean Stahle and Cole Buffington. Rylen Stiegelmeyer produced six, five points came from Will Cusick with two from Vince Steinbrech and one by Brayden Miller. Foster led on the boards with 11 rebounds and made three steals, Stahle and Turner had four assists each with three by Austin Knight and Stiegelmeyer.
Solon 76 Independence 51
Another set of Mustangs, this time from Independence (Indee) were in the cross hairs Friday, Jan. 20 with Solon playing host and winning 76-51.
A 20-11 first period lead extended to a 37-26 halftime advantage. Solon led 53-40 going into the fourth.
Steinbrech led all with a 25-point performance going ten-for-ten in field goals and sinking five of six free throw attempts. Jake Benzing had a 17-point night, Stahle added 11 points, with eight each from Turner and Stiegelmeyer, four by Knight, and three from Foster. Foster made five rebounds with four apiece by Stahle and Steinbrech, three each by Turner and Stiegelmeyer, and one apiece from Miller, Buffington, and Cusick. Stahle made four assists, Turner had four steals.
North Polk 66 Solon 49
The North Polk Comets lit up Spartan Gymnasium for a 66-49 win Saturday, Jan. 21 and improved to 12-2 overall (9-2 in the Racoon River conference).
The Comets led 13-8 after the first period and were ahead 31-18 at the half. The Spartans rallied with a 22-point effort in the third but a 25-point effort by North Polk in the fourth sealed their doom.
North Polk’s Charlie Bunkers led all with 18 points, Solon was led by Benzing with 14. Steinbrech and Turner produced nine apiece with eight from Stiegelmeyer, five from Stahle, and two from Cusick. Foster made five rebounds, Benzing had four, Turner and Cusick made three each with two from Steinbrech. Stahle had four assists with two from Foster and Cusick.
Upcoming Schedule
Saturday, Jan. 28 the Spartans visit Iowa City Regina in a girl-boy doubleheader with freshmen boys playing at noon, JV girls at 1:30 p.m., sophomore boys at 3:00 p.m., varsity girls at 4:30 p.m., and the varsity boys tipping off at 6:00 p.m. West Delaware visits Tuesday, Jan. 31 for a girl-boy doubleheader with JV girls and freshmen boys playing at 4:30 p.m., varsity girls and sophomore boys at 6:00 p.m., and the varsity boys at 7:15 p.m. The Mount Vernon Mustangs return for Senior Night Friday, Feb. 3 for a doubleheader.
WaMaC East Standings
Conference Overall
Marion 8-0 12-3
Solon 7-3 9-4
Mt. Vernon 6-3 8-5
W. Delaware 4-3 8-7
Independence 3-5 6-9