Basketball making a comeback at Solon

There was a time in which basketball was the undisputed king (OK, queen) among girls' sports at Solon High School.

'We've talked about that a little,” said Coach Tony Nicol. 'It's been a few years now. Now, all we hear over and over is how good the volleyball and softball programs are.”

After three consecutive losing seasons, the Spartans are heading back in the right direction on the basketball court. They improved to 7-0 overall, 3-0 in the Wamac Conference East Division with a 50-43 conquest of DeWitt Central on Tuesday.

'I think it's been a surprise for everyone,” said Nicol, in his third year at the school.

'Our work ethic has been tremendous, but I think the big difference is in focus.”

Solon was a girls' basketball Goliath under Ed Hansen once it converted to the five-player game. It won state championships in 1994, 1997 and 1998.

It remained strong up through 2008, and has been generally mediocre since with five losing seasons in a seven-year span.

The Spartans have gotten their groove back this season behind a defense that has allowed 36.4 points per game.

Oh, and balance.

Sophomore Josie Durr leads a relatively young cast with a scoring average of 11.1 points per game.

Four others - Hannah Bluder, Ali Herdliska, Nichole Oberthien and Dakota Doyle - are averaging at least 6 points per contest.

Bluder is the eldest daughter of Iowa Coach Lisa Bluder.

The Spartans conclude their pre-holiday slate Friday at West Delaware (5-1, 2-1).

FIVE GAMES, FIVE LEADERS

When Rachel Gloeckner led Springville in scoring with 13 points in the Orioles' 68-14 win over Central City, it gave the team a different scoring leader in each of its first five games.

Sarah Matus led the Orioles in their opener against Cedar Valley Christian with 14 points, then it was Mikayla Nachazel with 18 against East Buchanan, Rylee Menster with 15 against Maquoketa Valley and Megan Wagaman with 15 against Durant.

The Orioles (5-0 overall, 3-0 Tri-Rivers West) are tied for the divisional lead with North Linn. They play at Alburnett (5-1, 2-1) on Friday.

RECORD-BREAKING NIGHT

Alyssa Wiebel set one school record and tied another in Benton Community's 59-29 victory over Williamsburg on Tuesday at Van Horne.

The junior matched the school record for points in a game (34) and set a new mark for free throws, hitting all 13 of her attempts.

RIVALRY SATURDAY SCHEDULE ANNOUNCED

The 11th version of Rivalry Saturday will be played Jan. 10 at the U.S. Cellular Center.

Event director Scot Moenck released the schedule Wednesday. The six-game event starts at 11:15 a.m., when Iowa Valley and Williamsburg collide.

Then it's Durant vs. Monticello at 1 p.m., Cedar Rapids Kennedy vs. Ames at 2:45, Mediapolis vs. Pekin at 4:30, Western Dubuque vs. Solon at 6:15 and Linn-Mar vs. Marion at 8.

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