By TYLER HENRY
Salina Post contributor
After a rough 2-16 campaign, the Solomon girl’s basketball program will look to right the ship with a new skipper at the helm.
Luke Riordan assumes head coaching duties from Bill Scheef for the 2022-23 season, and will look to usher in a new era of Lady Gorillas basketball.
Solomon graduated just three seniors over the offseason and returns a great deal of their young core, with a starting five that should feature some familiar faces, looking something like this come tip-off.
G- Taytum Anderson (Jr)
G- Emyrson Shirak (So)
G- Lacie McLaughlin (So)
P- Maya Newcomer (So)
P- Elyse Baier (Jr)
The Lady Gorillas will also look for big minutes off the bench from Emma Boyer, Kilynne McCook, Kiera Smith, Payton Ballou, and RaeAnne Cordell.
Ahead of his first year at the helm, we had a chance to sit down with Coach Riordan to get his thoughts on this year’s Solomon squad.
Q: What is your vision for the culture of girls’ basketball at Solomon?
A: We’ve had a lot of coaches here over the last several years, there hasn’t been much consistency in the girl's basketball program and honestly, we’re looking to build the culture from the ground up. Our boys went to state last year and the girl's program isn’t seen as much of a program at all right now. I want to get these girls more confident when it comes to basketball. If they walk away this year wanting to come back next year I feel like I’ve done my job and I think winning will come with that attitude.
Q: How excited is everyone to get back on the floor and back to playing real games after a long offseason?
A: They seem to be excited. I taught all of these girls in middle school and as freshmen so I’m excited to get back into their lives as well.
Q: Coming into the year what would you say is the biggest strength of this team?
A: Our biggest strength is our intensity. They want to get better, they want to learn what winning means and they have the right attitude for that.
Q: What are the biggest question marks about this team as we head into the first few weeks?
A: Depending on how the games go I will be curious to see how the mood shifts. We have to stay positive, stay consistent, and keep the drive and the want there. I’m curious to see how they react to winning or losing.
Q: What are the goals and expectations of this team for this 2022-23 campaign?
A: Our goals and expectations are in our “want.” Wanting to be there every day, keeping the negative energy out of it, and keeping our intensity up over a long season. We want them to be excited about the culture of Solomon girls' basketball and to be excited to come back next year.
Solomon will open their season on Friday, December 2nd when the Lady Gorillas travel to Burrton to battle the Chargers.
For continuing coverage of Solomon hoops all season long, stay tuned to the Salina Post.