The Solon Springs High School girls basketball team has won two of its past three games, downing Bayfield 49-38 and Mercer 61-19 before falling to Webster 71-50.
On Thursday, Jan. 28, the Eagles traveled to Bayfield and got off to a great start, opening the game on a 15-1 tear. Bayfield slowly climbed back into it and only trailed 23-19 at the half.
The game remained close before Solon Springs finally pulled away for the 49-38 win. Sophomore guard Kyra Latvala led the way with 21 points while Claire Holmstrom added 16. Gretchen Hammond had 11 rebounds while Jori Gehl and Bailey Monson added seven rebounds apiece.
“The girls started the game with a lot of intensity on defense which led to turnovers and fast break points,” coach Adam Bielmeier said. “We were able to find that energy later in the game to help pull away.”
The next night, Friday, Jan. 29, the Eagles hosted Mercer and again started out strong, leading 28-16 at halftime. Solon Springs put the defensive clamps down in the second half as Mercer only scored three points after the break in falling 61-19. Monson had 11 steals to lead that effort while adding 16 points and five assists. Latvala also turned in another all-around game, with 15 points, six rebounds and four assists. Holmstrom and Hammond each added 8 points, while Holmstrom had 11 rebounds and Gehl added 10.
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“The girls dominated the game from start to finish,” Bielmeier said. “It was nice to see everyone on the team score some points and contribute in different ways.”
On Tuesday, February 2, the Eagles traveled to Webster to play a tough Tigers team. Solon Springs kept it close for the first 10 minutes before Webster went on a run to lead 43-25 at the half. Webster continued to shoot well to start the second half en route to the 71-50 win.
“We lost track of their shooters outside for a few possessions in a row and they were able to capitalize,” Bielmeier said. “They were tough inside on the boards and were able to find ways to finish inside.”
Holmstrom led the Eagles in scoring with 19 points while Monson added nine and Latvala eight.
Solon Springs was set to host Washburn Thursday, Feb. 4, before playing at South Shore Friday, Feb. 5.
The Eagles received the No. 2 seed in the five-team regional and will host No. 3 Winter in the second round of the WIAA playoffs at 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 12th.
“We’ll use this last game as a learning experience,” Bielmeier said. “I hope that we will be playing our best basketball of the season come tournament time and see if we can make a little run. The girls continue to play and work hard. This season has been a blast and we look forward to what we have left.”
