Swarming Defense Sends Solon to State for First Time Since 2016

SOLON -- For the first time in 10 years, the Solon Spartans are headed to the state tournament. The Spartans outlasted Central DeWitt in a slugfest, 49-44, on Monday night to reach the state tournament. They held the Sabers to just 36% shooting and 17% from the 3-point line in the win. Below we'll take a look at some of the top performers from Monday night's substate final.    The only Saber to finish in double figures, Krukow battled through foul trouble to finish with 16 points on 6-7 shooting, 11 rebounds, and 3 assists. He has really good footwork and soft touch around the rim, and he's a talented passer who sees the floor really well out of the high post area.     Another Saber who battled foul trouble throughout the night, Kueter is a big, impressive athlete at 6-6 who uses his strength and physicality to his advantage around the rim, powering through contact for finishes. He's a bouncy athlete who can high-point the ball and pull down rebounds from out of nowhere on either end of the floor. He finished with 7 points, 6 rebounds, a steal, and a block, showcasing defensive versatility in the process.     McCollum rolled his ankle early in the first quarter, then dislocated a finger on his shooting hand later in the quarter, but that didn't stop him from making an impact on this game. He didn't shoot it as well as we're accustomed to seeing (3-9 FG, 1-4 3P), but his ball-handling and shot creation for his teammates was on an entirely different level than any other player on the floor. He sees the game ahead of the rest of the players on the court and pairs great handles with fantastic footwork to get by defenders or create additional space. He's a patient player who plays with some serious flair. He had 7 points, 2 rebounds, 5 assists, and a steal, and was especially good in the second half when Solon made their game-changing run.     With McCollum not scoring much, the Spartans needed someone to step up as a scorer, and Kelley (and the next guy) was one who stepped up in a big way, especially in the second half. A strong, athletic guard who doesn't shy away from contact, he loves to play downhill, getting his defender on his hip and finishing through contact at the rim. His athleticism and toughness allow him to compete on the glass at a high level, and he's an impactful on-ball defender with good lateral movement and quick hands. He finished with 13 points on 4-8 shooting (5-9 FT), 7 rebounds, 2 assists, and 3 steals.     The 6-3 senior forward from Solon was fantastic off the bench, providing a scoring and rebounding spark that was badly needed. He had 13 points and 4 rebounds (all offensive) in the win, and his activity level on the offensive glass really sparked the crowd and his teammates during a crucial second half spurt that gave Solon control.

SOLON -- For the first time in 10 years, the Solon Spartans are headed to the state tournament. The Spartans outlasted Central DeWitt in a slugfest, 49-44, on Monday night to reach the state tournament. They held the Sabers to just 36% shooting and 17% from the 3-point line in the win. Below we'll take a look at some of the top performers from Monday night's substate final.