The foundation of the Solon boys basketball program has never been about size or a single superstar. It’s about Hustle. It’s about Heart. And this year, under the leadership of coach Jared Galphin and a highly experienced core, the Spartans are confident this is the season they can run all the way to state.

“All our offense is predicated on how well we guard,” is Coach Galpin’s uncompromising philosophy.

For a team that acknowledges they “don’t have a lot of height,” their strategy is simple and relentless: turn defensive stops into instant offense.

Junior guard Maddox Kelley captures this identity perfectly: “We’re like a transition team. To get transition, you need to play good defense, get stops, like turnovers.”

This mandate requires every player to buy in, a commitment that comes naturally to a group that has grown up playing together, fostering an environment where they “know exactly each other’s games” allowing them to “complement each other.”

For the Solons, success begins and ends on the defensive end. The players have embraced this concept, turning it into the team’s cultural signature. Junior Tate McCollum, who transferred from Waukee Northwest this past season, quickly identified this focus as the key to the team’s progress.

“Just getting the whole team to buy in on the defensive end. That’s our biggest goal and that’s what Coach preaches,” McCollum confirms. “I feel like if we do that, we can push it further and keep it going.”

This defensive intensity is the engine of Solon’s preferred style of play: up-tempo and fast. When the defensive flow is right, the transition game is unstoppable.

“When we’re in a good defensive flow, we’re out—we’re better offensively,” notes Coach Galpin.

Kelley has seen the formula work first-hand: “We stepped up our defense, which led to turnovers and led to easy points, which ultimately led to our success.”

The fast-paced system is physically demanding, which is why the coach views the team’s improved depth as a major asset this year. With more players ready to contribute, he emphasizes they will “need it… to keep your team fresh” and ensure the gas pedal is pressed down for the full 32 minutes.

With the graduation of some key offensive production, the spotlight shifts to the seasoned junior class and key seniors to carry the scoring and playmaking load. This veteran group, including the interviewees, are ready to step into larger roles.

Maddox Kelley (5’10” G) is poised to become the primary catalyst. He is expected to be the main “playmaker for us” leveraging his quickness to initiate the fast break and attack the paint.

Grant Gordon (6’2″ G) brings athleticism and versatile scoring to the wing, focusing on high-percentage shots and strong rebounding.

Newcomer Tate McCollum (5’10” G) is highlighted by Coach Galpin as a formidable weapon, “A good shooter, good point guard, good passer, good defender.”

McCollum, for his part, has embraced his new role quickly, noting the personal growth involved in taking on leadership: “I’ve matured a lot. I’ve grown a lot in my game and just like, being able to talk to my teammates, being able to be a leader for the younger guys and just showing them how it’s done.”

The Spartans also benefit from size options with Luke Deike (6’6″ F), Ryan Locke (6′ 3″ C), and Tanner Heims (6’3″ C) adding crucial rebounding and interior presence to complement the quick-hitting guard play.

The team is aiming high this season.

“Making the state and then and then make a run,” Coach Galpin states confidently.

But they also share a powerful short-term goal: defending their home floor.

Last season, the Spartans were an impeccable 10-0 at home, a statistic the coach called “vital to… success.”

The players believe this success is less about the gym itself and more about the electric atmosphere created by their passionate fans.

Kelley describes the feeling: “Our fans… they’d bring the juice, I’d say like every game. It was so fun just to play for them, play for the game. That’s really why we’re playing.” McCollum agrees, stating the confidence is infectious: “The crowd, the fans, they just bring so much energy for us. Just knowing that we haven’t lost a game at home, it just gives us more confidence going into the next game.”

Gordon attributes the success to the mental side of the game: “I think it’s just our preparation through the week… I think it’s our mentality.”

The immediate challenge for Solon now is, “How fast can we gel, how fast we get on the same page,” according to Coach Galpin, as their full roster unites on the court.

But the pieces for a special season are already in place: a veteran core whose chemistry is unmatched, a clear, high-tempo offensive identity, and the non-negotiable cultural standard of aggressive defense.

Their goal isn’t just to compete; it’s to build on the confidence of their unbeaten home court and push beyond expectations. For this Spartan squad, the season isn’t defined by their height on the roster, but by the relentless pace they play with—a pace they believe can carry them all the way to the state tournament. The Spartans have the foundation, the mindset, and the speed; now, they’re ready to run.

2025-26 Varsity Boys Basketball Home Games

Tuesday, Dec. 9 – Vs. Grinnell, 7:15 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 13 – Vs. Regina Catholic, 4:00 p.m.

Tuesday, Dec. 16 – Vs. Mount Vernon, 7:15 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 3 – Vs. Mid-Prairie, 5:00 p.m.

Tuesday, Jan. 6 – Vs. Williamsburg, 7:15 p.m.

Friday, Jan. 16 – Vs. West Delaware, 7:15 p.m.

Tuesday, Jan. 27 – Vs. Center Point-Urbana, 7:15 p.m.

Friday, Jan. 30 – Vs. Marion, 7:15 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 6 – Vs. Independence, 7:15 p.m.