By TYLER HENRY
Salina Post contributor
After starting their season with a big win over Burrton, things have cooled off somewhat for the Solomon girl’s basketball team, who will look to get back in the win column on Tuesday when they play host to Centre.
This game provides an excellent opportunity for the Lady Gorillas (1-3) to get back on track against a Cougars team (0-4) that has been outscored by over 100 points so far this season.
Despite the three-game skid, Solomon’s effort has not faltered, and the Lady Gorillas' resilience has been a welcome sight to first-year head coach Luke Riordan.
“These girls work hard until the very end,” Riordan said. “They want to improve and they don’t let outside noise or the score of the games take that away from them.”
To get their season back on track, the Lady Gorillas will need to continue transitioning the lessons they’ve learned throughout the week into their play on the varsity floor.
While Taytum Anderson and Lacie McLaughlin have stepped up as the team’s expected leaders, Solomon has had a number of others emerge to help keep the team’s intensity high in practice and on the floor.
“The demeanor of Emerson Shirack, Elise Baier, and Maya Newcomer has been a key part of our team's work ethic,” Riordan said. “They lead by example and make other people want to work harder.”
As Solomon turns their attention to Centre, the Lady Gorillas understand that they will be in for a battle against a Cougar team that has nothing to lose and is hungry for their first win of the season.
“They have some good shooters and are very disciplined,” he said. “Their coach there has done a great job with those girls and I know that like us they will fight to the very end.”
While Solomon’s opponent has continued to change, their keys to the game have not, as the Lady Gorillas look within to take the next step.
“We can’t allow second-chance shots and we can’t turn the ball over so often,” Riordan said. “It is hard to win games with the number of turnovers we have been having.”
Tip-off between the Lady Gorillas and Cougars is set for 6 pm on the campus of Solomon high school, with the boy’s game to follow at 7:30.
For continuing coverage of Solomon hoops stay tuned to the Salina Post.