SOLON — It was another busy week for the Lady Spartans with three games on the slate as they took on Marion, Center Point-Urbana (CPU), and Regina Catholic.
Marion 48 Solon 45
The ladies traveled to Marion last Tuesday as the No. 2 team in Class 3A following their loss to Mount Vernon. The Wolves were ranked No. 10 in 4A and handed Solon their third loss of the season. The game was knotted at 16 at the end of the first period but Solon pulled ahead to a 26-22 halftime advantage before trailing in the third.
“(We) got off to a good start in the first half,” said Coach Jamie Smith. “Second (half) struggled to get into any flow. They hit two big 3’s in the last minute to win the game. Callie (Levin) played really well and kept us in the game.”
Levin led all with 28 points including a pair of 3’s. Hailey Miller had a seven-point night with five points each from Kobi Lietz and Mia Stahle. Anna Quillin dominated on the boards with a game high 13 rebounds.
Solon 79 CPU 39
Unranked CPU visited Friday and immediately felt the brunt of Lady Spartan offense as Levin opened with a three-pointer and Solon charged to a 25-8 lead at the end of the first. By halftime, the ladies had built a comfortable 44-18 lead, which was extended to 60-32 going into the final eight minutes.
“(We) came out with great intensity,” said Smith. “Put a lot of pressure on them throughout the whole game. Mia and Kobi were really good on defense. Callie and Hailey lead us offensively, and Delainey Durr gave us 11 points off the bench.”
Levin led all with 21 points including four 3’s while Miller had a 19-point night. Stahle produced a dozen points with Durr’s 11, six from Quillin, four each by Lietz and Maddyn Gates, and two from Laeni Hinkle. Quillin and Levin pulled down seven rebounds apiece with six assists by Levin.
Solon 84 Regina Catholic 42
Solon and Iowa City Regina tangled in a non-conference game on Saturday with the Lady Spartans facing the No. 6 (in 2A) Regals. Again Solon blasted their opposition right out of the gate taking a 29-7 lead at the end of the first and holding a commanding 48-19 halftime lead.
Levin put up a career high 40 points in the contest and Coach Smith noted “Callie was at a different level. 14-19 from the field, 8-9 from the line, and ended up with a career high.” The coach added she grabbed 11 rebounds in the effort as well. “Just a great night and the other players did a great job of finding her when she was open.” He credited great defensive intensity and coming out like they did against the Stormin’ Pointers as well for the dominating win. “Mia and Kobi made it hard for them to get into anything on offense. Hailey did a great job getting to the basket and Anna was her usual self on the boards.”
Miller had a 15-point night with 13 by Stahle, six from Laney Johnson, for by Lietz, and two points apiece from Quillin, Jerzey Haluska, and Gates.
Changes in IGHSAU rankings,
WaMaC standings hold steady
Solon dropped to No. 5 in 3A in last Thursday’s weekly rankings put out by the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union. In the WaMaC East standings, Mount Vernon held onto the No. 1 spot at 10-0 in the WaMaC and 16-2 overall with Solon firmly in the No. 2 spot at 9-3 and 14-3. Marion sat in the No. 4 spot at 5-3 and 13-4 while CPU was 4-8 and 5-12.
Upcoming events
Friday, Feb. 2 – Girl-boy doubleheader at Mount Vernon. JV girls and soph boys at 4:30 p.m., varsity girls and freshmen boys at 6:00 p.m., and varsity boys at 7:15 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 3 – JV and varsity girls at West Delaware (rescheduled from Jan. 12), JV at 2:30 p.m., varsity at 4:00 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 6 – Girl-boy doubleheader at home vs. Independence, JV girls and soph boys at 4:30 p.m., varsity girls and freshmen boys at 6:00 p.m., frosh-soph girls at 7:00 p.m., and varsity boys at 7:15 p.m.
Looking ahead at the busy week, Coach Smith said, “I think we have found our groove again, but (a) big week ahead for us.”
Anna Quillin puts up a shot against CPU last Friday. Quillin had six points in a 79-39 win.