Spartans hang on in a nail-biter

Solon boys get past Mount Vernon 57-56

Solon Economist

December 17, 2025

Alyssa H. Maiers, UI Prep Sports Reporting class

Junior Tate McCollum (1) celebrates after a big play at midcourt during the Spartans’ matchup against Mount Vernon on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at Solon High School.

The varsity boys saw a 20-point lead evaporate as they battled their rivals from Mount Vernon Tuesday, Dec. 16 at home in a girl-boy basketball doubleheader but

Mount Vernon and Solon boys basketball players bump fists prior to their game on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at Solon High School.

Mount Vernon’s Kellen Haverback (11) and Solon’s Maddox Kelley (3) hug in the postgame line following their matchup on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at Solon High School. (Alyssa H. Maiers, UI Prep Sports Reporting class)

Solon’s Tate McCollum (1) protects the ball while being defended by a Mount Vernon player during their game on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at Solon High School. (Alyssa H. Maiers, UI Prep Sports Reporting class)

Solon’s Tate McCollum (1) drives past two Mount Vernon defenders during their matchup on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at Solon High School. (Alyssa H. Maiers, UI Prep Sports Reporting class)

Solon’s Grant Gordon (5) jumps for a layup in front of the student section during the Spartans’ game against Mount Vernon on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at Solon High School. (Alyssa H. Maiers, UI Prep Sports Reporting class)

Solon’s Tate McCollum (1) takes a free throw as the student section watches during the Spartans’ game against Mount Vernon on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at Solon High School. (Alyssa H. Maiers, UI Prep Sports Reporting class)

Solon’s Simon Einwalter (33) squares up for a free throw during the Spartans’ game against Mount Vernon on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at Solon High School. (Alyssa H. Maiers, UI Prep Sports Reporting class)

Solon head coach Jared Galpin talks to his team in the huddle during a timeout against Mount Vernon on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at Solon High School. (Alyssa H. Maiers, UI Prep Sports Reporting class)

held on for a 57-56 win to remain unbeaten at 6-0 in the early part of the season.
Solon led 11-4 at the end of the first period and went on an 11-point run in the second fueled by junior Tate McCollum, sophomore Luke Merrick, and senior Tanner Heims. Following a Mustang time out, senior Ethan Ulch made a steal and layup to make it 26-11 while a three-pointer by McCollum, one of four for the night, made it 29-11. McCollum added a pair of free throws late in the quarter for a 31-11 lead at halftime.
The Spartans held a commanding 43-29 lead at the end of the third as Heims made a pair of three-point plays and followed with a third field goal while junior Kaden Hoeper and McCollum added a bucket apiece.
Mount Vernon charged back in the final eight minutes, putting up an eight-point run in the first three minutes. Junior Simon Einwalter ended Solon’s drought with a basket and a free throw but with just over three minutes left in the game, the Mustangs trailed by three, 46-43. Maddox Kelley sank a pair from the charity stripe to make it 48-43, junior Grant Gordon drove in for a basket and free throw to make it 51-45 and added two more points making it 53-47. A trio of three-point baskets by Mount Vernon’s Kellen Haverback knotted the game at 56-all in the final minute. Haverback drained eight three-point buckets to lead all with 32 points.
With 5.8 seconds remaining, McCollum was fouled and sent to the line for three shots with the first bouncing off of the iron, the second dropping through perfectly, and the third bouncing around before the Mustangs were awarded possession. With 2.6 seconds remaining, the Mustangs in-bounded by Solon’s bench. Haverback launched a shot that failed as the final buzzer sounded, sealing the Spartans’ win and handing Mount Vernon their first loss of the season at 4-1.
McCollum led Solon with 23 points, Heims had nine, Gordon produced seven with five from Einwalter, and four apiece by Kelley and Hoeper. Merrick had a three-point night with two from Ulch.

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