MOUNT VERNON — The rivalry of Solon and Mount Vernon was well and alive Friday night as the two opponents took it to the hardwood in a packed Mount Vernon High School gym. The Spartan boys team walked away with the win to keep its perfect season alive, while the Lady Spartans’ second half collapse led to a lopsided defeat.
Solon boys win 64-50
What started off as a slow first quarter quickly turned into a shootout toward the end of it. Both teams scored just four points apiece in the first five minutes, followed by seven points apiece in the last three minutes. Ethan Ulch got on the board with a fast break bucket and Tate McCollum did the rest en route to an 11-11 tie after eight minutes.
The contest remained even through the second quarter as inside buckets from Tanner Heims, Luke Merrick, and Grant Gordon offset Mount Vernon’s attempt to run off with the lead. But it was Gordon who shone down the first half stretch with five points and a chase down block as the Spartans held a one-goal advantage at the half at 29-27.
It was certainly the Maddox Kelley show in the second half with a hint of Grant Gordon. Once down 37-33 midway through the third quarter, Kelley chimed in with eight points to drive a 13-2 run to end the period. Gordon logged seven straight points for the Spartans to begin the fourth and Kelley secured the last nine points to cap off a 64-50 Spartan win.
“[Kelley] honestly gave us a real big spark in the second half,” Solon boys head coach Jared Galpin said. “A spark that we needed and a way that I think he could play really consistently. Just haven’t seen it this year, but he showed up when we needed him to.”
Kelley had the game of a lifetime with 24 points and 11 rebounds to lead his team to victory. McCollum, even on an off-night, logged 16 points, and Gordon pitched in with 10 points and six rebounds.
Solon girls fall 66-41
It was all Tenley Levin and Delaney Durr in the first half with the pair scoring all of Solon’s first half points. A 7-6 Spartan lead turned into a 15-7 deficit after two minutes, but Levin came back with two buckets to close the first quarter down four. She continued to carry her team with six of the team’s nine second quarter points that matched Mount Vernon’s nine points, keeping the game within four points, 24-20, at halftime.
Then, a Mustang onslaught occurred. A six-point Solon deficit was multiplied by five, and then some, after Mount Vernon’s 20-3 run in the third quarter pushed their lead up to 52-29 with eight minutes to go. And the fourth quarter didn’t provide a better result as the Mustangs tagged two more points to their lead. The Spartans fell in daunting fashion, a 66-41 final, to their rivals in front of a packed crowd.
“We were expecting to come up here and win, and the last second half… it’s been a while since I’ve seen something like that,” Solon girls head coach Jaime Smith said. “We’ve been on the road for the last five games, so we’re excited to get back home. And we’ve got a lot of season left. So, you know, everything’s still in front of us.”
Levin’s 15 points and six rebounds led her squad, and Durr also chimed in with 11 points and eight rebounds. Jerzey Haluska pitched in six points on two made threes.
Spartan boys roll Indee’s Mustangs
Solon 74 Independence 30
The Spartans opened the week with a 44-point road win over the Independence Mustangs Tuesday, Jan. 20. Up 14-8 at the end of the first period, Solon held a 37-16 halftime lead and added 26 points in the third.
Tate McCollum led everybody with 22 points, Tanner Heims had a 12-point night with ten from Luke Merrick, eight from Maddox Kelley, seven from Grant Gordon, six by Kaden Hoeper, five by Ethan Ulch, and four from Camden Lyons. Kelley and Gordon led on the boards with four rebounds each. Kelley also had a team high five assists and six steals.
Lady Spartans fall to Maquoketa, overpower Independence
Maquoketa 64 Solon 60
The Lady Spartans trailed the Cardinals 12-5 at the end of the first period Monday, Jan. 19, in Maquoketa, but rebounded with a 21-point effort in the second. Solon still trailed Maquoketa at halftime though, down 29-26. An 18-point effort in the final eight minutes wasn’t enough however as the Cardinals took the win.
Delainey Durr led Solon with 17 points, Tenley Levin had 16 while Laney Johnson and Jerzey Haluska produced 12 points apiece and Laeni Hinkle added three. Levin led all on the boards with 14 rebounds.
Solon 69 Independence 48
Solon opened with 15 points in the first period and added 24 in the second to lead 39-20 at halftime. A 19-point effort in the third ensured the Mustangs wouldn’t catch up as the Lady Spartans cruised to the win Tuesday, Jan. 20, at Independence.
Tenley Levin led everybody with a 30-point night. Delainey Durr had a dozen points with ten from Jerzey Haluska, nine by Laney Johnson, five from Ellie Durr, and three by Laeni Hinkle. Delainey Durr and Levin made six rebounds each with five assists from Durr and four steals by Levin.