MOUNT VERNON — The Lady Spartans extended their winning streak to five last week in another three-game campaign as they knocked off West Delaware twice and got their revenge over Mount Vernon ahead of postseason play and the road to Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines.
The Mustangs knocked Solon out of the No. 1 spot in Class 3A last month with a 44-37 loss at home. The WaMaC East foes and Highway 1 rivals tangled again Friday in Mount Vernon in another close battle. Solon led 18-11 at the end of the first period but only held a two-point advantage, 26-24, at halftime. The Mustangs crept ahead in the third to lead 39-34 going into the final eight minutes. Solon trailed 54-52 when junior Kobi Lietz launched a three-pointer at the buzzer that struck gold. Lietz has been a three-point thorn in the Mustangs’ side before having sank six in last year’s 3A Regional Championship game at home against Mount Vernon.
Callie Levin led with 30 points, Lietz had 11 on the night while Hailey Miller produced seven, five came from Delainey Durr, and Anna Quillian added two. Quillin and Levin dominated the boards with nine rebounds each, Levin had four assists with four steals by Lietz.
Solon 70 West Delaware 41 and 72-36
The teams met twice last week on Tuesday and Saturday with Saturday’s contest a rescheduling from Jan. 12.
In Tuesday’s clash at home, Solon raced to a 25-8 first period lead and was well in-control at halftime with a 38-19 advantage. The Hawks put up a dozen points in the third but still trailed 52-31 going into the fourth. Levin led all with 25 points, one point better than West Delaware standout Brooke Krogmann. Miller had an 18-point night with ten from Quillin, seven from Mia Stahle, five by freshman Laeni Hinkle, three points from Lietz, and two by freshman Jerzey Haluska. Quillin led all in rebounds with 11, Miller, Stahle, and Quillin had four assists each, and Levin made four steals.
In Saturday’s contest in the Hawks’ nest, Miller led with 17 points, Levin produced 16, and Lietz had 14 with seven points from Durr, six by Stahle, three from Hinkle and Quillin, and two apiece by freshman Laney Johnson, Haluska, and freshman Maddyn Gates. Miller owned the boards with eight rebounds, Stahle had six assists, and Stahle and Levin made five steals each.
Solon moves up in IGHSAU rankings
There was some movement in the weekly Class 3A rankings issued by the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union as Estherville-Lincoln Central dethroned Mount Vernon, knocking the Mustangs into the No. 2 spot while Solon moved up one spot to No. 4. Wahlert Catholic dropped one spot to No. 7, Benton Community remained at No. 8, and of new interest, Chariton improved from No. 15 to No. 13. West Delaware dropped to No. 15.
Post season play begins Saturday
Solon will host Fairfield Saturday, Feb. 10 at 7:30 p.m. in a Class 3A Region 5 Quarterfinal. Washington will take on Davis County while Chariton and Centerville, and Mid-Prairie and Albia will also tangle.
Tickets for the first round are $6.00 (before fees) and available online at www.gobound.com/ia/ighsau/girlsbasketball/2023-24/tickets.
Winners advance to play Wednesday, Feb. 14 at 7:30 with Solon and Chariton hosting. The Regional Championship game is set for Saturday, Feb. 17 at 7:00 p.m. at the highest ranked team’s site with a trip to the 2024 Girls State Basketball Tournament on the line.

Gallery • 2 Photos

Becky Holub • Contributed photo

Kobi Lietz launches the game-winning three-point shot Friday, Feb. 2 at Mount Vernon. Lietz’s shot hit paydirt for a 55-54 final score.