Solon 77, Williamsburg 39
The Spartans asserted their dominance early as Tate McCollum opened the game with a three-point basket, Tanner Heims put up two points, Kaden Hoeper dropped in a pair of free throws, and McCollum sank the second of six three-pointers for a 10-0 lead. Solon took the first period 22-7 with McCollum’s third three-bomb making it 20-4. After several rebound attempts Grant Gordon opened the second period with a put-back for a 24-7 lead. Ethan Ulch drained a three-pointer making it 35-9, and the Spartans were well in command with a 41-15 halftime lead. Solon led 58-31 going into the final eight minutes.
McCollum, a junior, led all with 27 points, Luke Merrick, a sophomore, had a 12-point night with 11 from Gordon, a junior. Zander Bishop, a junior, produced eight points with five from seniors Heims and Ulch, four points by juniors Hoeper and Simon Einwalter, and one point from junior Maddox Kelley. Hoeper dominated in rebounds with ten.
Solon 87, South Tama 37
The Spartans pounded the Trojans 22-7 in the first period and racked up a 45-21 halftime lead ahead of a 71-31 advantage going into the final quarter. Tate McCollum equaled nearly all of South Tama’s points with a 34-point performance including nine three-point baskets. Maddox Kelley had a nine-point night with six points from Kaden Hoeper and Tanner Heims, five points by Zander Bishop, four from Grant Gordon and Simon Einwalter, three points by Owen Bock, Luke Merrick, and Brady Wick, and two points from Camden Lyons. Heims was the man on the boards with a team high nine.
The win improved Solon to 10-0 and dropped South Tama to 1-8.
Solon moves up one spot in IHSAA rankings
The Spartans were in the No. 7 spot in the Iowa High School Athletic Association’s rankings for Class 3A released Monday, Jan. 5. Ballard held the No. 1 spot followed by Clear Lake, Cedar Rapids Xavier Catholic, Storm Lake, Pella, ADM, Solon, Nevada, Knoxville, and Dubuque Wahlert Catholic.