SOLON — It’s a brand-new team for Solon boys’ basketball head coach Jared Galpin. The team saw all five starters, plus three key depth pieces, graduate last spring after falling a few games short of the state tournament after a loss to Keokuk in the regional semifinal. Looking to redeem the disappointing end to a season where the Spartans only lost one game in the regular season, Galpin will turn to four seniors – guards Caleb Bock, Isaiah Zoske, and Nolan Seagren, and forward Jackson Link to anchor the lineup.
“They played well together through their freshman and sophomore years,” said Galpin, “They got some good experience last year as juniors, not starting experience, but good experience and I know they’re poised to lead us this year.” Bock is the highest scoring returner and will be a major part of the offense. The senior had an injury riddled season last year that knocked a promising season off course. In his 12 games played, including two starts, Bock averaged six points per game while also getting after it on the boards with 2.5 rebounds per game. Because of the loaded 2024 class, Bock had to sit outside of the spotlight last season. This year, he will be leaned on to get the offense going.
It will not just be Bock that Galpin needs to step up this year. Zoske and Seagren both played in over 20 games last season. During limited minutes in those games, the two guards flashed their potential. Seagren showed how he can affect a game with skills other than scoring with ten steals, 23 rebounds and 21 assists.
Zoske’s production last season was nearly identical to Seagren. The former had 16 rebounds, 16 assists, and 17 steals. The two seniors’ ability to force turnovers and limit second-chance opportunities for opposing teams would help Galpin reload the team for a chance at a deep run in the postseason.
Link will provide some size on the interior for the Spartans. His 27 rebounds last season leads all returning players. The Spartans will ultimately have to rely on getting good minutes from players who have yet to play their first minutes of varsity hoops.
“There’s a few sophomores with potential [to play], but we’re going to see how it plays out,” said Galpin, “They’ve got to earn that spot, it is not going to be a given.”
With a new team come different expectations. Last season, the Spartans came into the season with the expectation of being one of the best in 3A. The one loss regular season certainly fulfilled those expectations. With the lack of returners who played meaningful minutes last year, the expectations for this season are not quite as high. “The only thing I expect of them is that we compete hard every game,” said Galpin, “That we continue to improve all year and play our best ball in February, then it’ll all work out.”
The Spartans will have plenty of tests this season. They open the year with a scrimmage against Cedar Rapids Kennedy on Monday, November 25. “That’s going to show us where we’re at right now,” said Galpin, “It’ll be a good litmus test.”
The WaMaC looks to be as competitive as ever. Grinnell, Clear Creek Amana, and Williamsburg start the season as some of the top contenders, not just for the conference, but for the state championship.
The Spartans will play CCA and Grinnell in their second and third games of the year on Dec. 6 at home and Dec. 10 in Grinnell. The Spartans will travel to Williamsburg on Jan. 7 in what will be a big game in the middle of the season.
“There’s no off night when you’re playing in the WaMaC,” said Galpin, “It gets every team ready for tournament play.” The Spartans first regular season game will be on Dec. 3 against Maquoketa at home.