By TYLER HENRY
Salina Post contributor
The Solomon boys basketball team got off to a roaring start to their 2021-22 campaign, winning eight of their first ten games before sliding to 8-5 to head into the final weeks of the season.
First-year head coach Kyler Stein has done an excellent job managing a team loaded with experienced veterans and talented newcomers.
“I’ve been impressed by our ability to improve each day,” Stein said. “As a first-year coaching staff, we’re just now getting all of our things implemented. We lost some games that we probably shouldn't have but our guys respond every day in practice.”
Offensively, Solomon has one of the deepest lineups in 1A Division I, with four players who average ten or more points per game.
That starting lineup of Makaen Hastings, Spencer Coup, Caden Acosta, Dylan Hines, and Simon Smith has combined to average 62 points and 33 rebounds a game, outscoring their opponents by 200 points this season.
“We need to continue to get good shot selections,” Stein said. “We have four guys that can score 20 on any given night. We have to make defenses guard us and not settle for a good look when we can get a great look.”
The Gorilla defense has picked it up as well, holding two of their last six opponents to under 15 points.
“Defensively we have improved tremendously but I still look to that as an area that needs to improve throughout the year,” he said. “The defense has to be something we can rely on when we aren't shooting it well.”
Heading into this week, the Gorillas were ranked as the #5 team in Class 1A DI, but more tests await Solomon following the toughest week of their 2022 schedule.
“We have some great challenges with some tough league opponents coming up. Everyone presents a unique challenge that we will have to overcome.”
If things continue to roll for Solomon, there’s no telling what the Gorillas ceiling could be come playoff time.
“I think this team can go as far as they want,” Stein said. “If we defend the way we are capable of and feed off each other's energy we are a very dangerous team. We have to do the little things, smart shots, 50/50 balls, defensive pressure, and playing with confidence and energy. I'm excited and I know the guys are excited to see how far they can take it this year.”
The Gorillas will be back in action on Friday night when the team travels to Peabody Burns to take on the 4-9 Warriors.
For continuing coverage of both Solomon teams in 2022, stay tuned to the Salina Post.