By TYLER HENRY
Salina Post contributor
After winning just two games over the course of the 2021-22 season, the Solomon girl’s basketball team started the new year on the right foot, emerging victorious in a gritty 23-20 win over the Burrton Chargers on opening night.
“It's huge to start off the year with a win for such a young group,” first-year Solomon head coach Luke Riordan said. “It shows the girls that their hard work can pay off and hopefully makes them want to buy into the program even more than they already have.”
Things weren’t always pretty in Burrton on Friday, but the Lady Gorillas battled for 32 minutes and got the job done, capturing a huge dose of positive momentum to carry into the rest of their campaign.
“Our persistence throughout the game was the best thing I saw from this team,” Riordan said. “Some parts of the game were difficult, but the girls battled and kept their heads level.”
Now, Solomon will turn its attention to a rival Bennington squad that knocked off Sylvan-Lucas 40-35 last week to begin their season with a big win.
“Bennington is a great team and they are coached very well,” he said. “Their girls trap hard and fly around on defense. It is going to be a challenge but as long as our girls can maintain their composure I think we will be in it in the end.”
This game will also provide the Lady Gorillas with a chance to breathe new life into their rivalry with a Lady Bulldog team that has won the last eight meetings between the two dating back to 2017.
Internally, this young Solomon squad will need to limit their turnovers and string together good offensive possessions, valuing the basketball and making the extra pass to get high-percentage looks.
In terms of the matchup, it will be critical that the Lady Gorillas handle the size of a Bennington team that was led last time out by a 13-point Peyten Debold performance.
“Our biggest keys will be limiting turnovers and not allowing them any second-chance shots,” Riordan said. “They rebound well, so we will need to make sure we are crashing the boards.”
Tip-off between the Lady Gorillas and Bulldogs is set for 6 pm at Solomon high school with the boy’s game to follow at 7:30.
For continuing coverage of Solomon hoops all season long stay tuned to the Salina Post and follow us on Twitter @spostsports.