The girls' basketball team split their last two regular season games, falling to Section Two leader Manheim Central 64-30 before improving to 5-7 in league play and 8-14 overall with a 59-32 senior night victory over Garden Spot Tuesday, February 7.

That season-ending win started by recognizing seniors Paige Althoff, Jenna Ehlers, Sarah Landis, Frances Northern, Kara Peace, Arianna Seiberlich, Stella Woy and Maite Grandja.

Head coach Chad McDowell, who was unable to attend, congratulated the seniors who have had to persevere and deal with adversity all four years of their high school career, via a letter read by interim head coach Jeff McCardell. "As freshman, they experienced the opportunity of winning the section championship. As sophomores, they dealt with the covid guidelines of wearing masks while playing and as juniors and seniors, they had to deal with many adult situations that had them grow up fast," read McCardell. "They have always worked hard and always put the team and Solanco family first. I am extremely proud of each and every one of them and love them as if they were my own daughters. I wish them the best of luck in whatever their future holds and am blessed to be called their coach for the past four years," he continued. "Thank you for being the great young ladies that you are."

And with that, Solanco put together one of its strongest, if not the strongest, outing of the season. They split the series against the Spartans with their largest point total and largest margin of victory in a 59-32 result.

Eight different players reached the scoring column and all 13 players contributed with court time. Solanco held a 12-4 first quarter lead and went on to outscore the Spartans in each of the next three quarters, including a convincing 34-16 run through the second half.

Ehlers recorded a double-double to spark the attack. She dropped a game-high 22 points (17 in the second half) and hauled in 14 rebounds. Althoff scored in every quarter and finished with nine while Josie Janssen and Seiberlich followed with seven points each. Landis (6), Northern (4), Peace (2 points and 7 assists) and Woy (2) also contributed.

"The first time we played them Jenna was out with an injury and Sarah got injured in the second quarter and did not play the second half," McCardell recalled. "And we had an off-night shooting. Tuesday we had more players available and were able to pressure their guards which resulted in 23 Garden Spot turnovers and 12 steals for us. We outrebounded them 42-22 and 34 of our points came in the paint."

Solanco was coming off a lopsided 64-30 loss against Section Two leader Manheim Central.

"They came to play and hit three threes to start the game," said McCardell. "They did not want to share the section title like they did last year and played like it."

The Barons bolted to a 16-3 lead in the first quarter and pushed out to a 33-14 halftime advantage. The hosts took charge in the second half as well, winning 31-16.

"They mixed up their pressure and their halfcourt defense gave us fits," said McCardell. "We had 24 turnovers and 17 were in that first half."

The pressing team also took advantage of the free throw line, connecting on 22-of-29 attempts.

"The fouling was definitely lopsided," McCardell said. "We were just 2-of-7 from the foul line and we were not pressing. Hard to understand that."

Ehlers finished with 15 points and scored all 11 of Solanco's second quarter points. Althoff added seven points, all in the second half. Maddie Knier bucketed a game-high 21 for the Barons, connecting on 12-of-15 free throws.

BOYS' BASKETBALL

The boys' basketball team faced the top team in Section Two, Manheim Central, and the team that sits just ahead of them in the standings, Garden Spot, in their final games of the 2022-23 season.

The Barons, tuning up for the post-season and a section title, spoiled senior night for the Mules on Friday, February 3. After recognizing Noah Baber, Tyler Burger, Elijah Cunningham, Manny Himes, Braxton Whisman and Jadon Yoder, the Barons quickly got down to business, sprinting to a 12-0 advantage and cruising to a 24-7 first quarter lead. They cooled down a bit in the second half but still dominated, winning 54-25.

Solanco struggled in the second quarter as well, managing just three points as the Barons built a 37-10 halftime advantage.

The third quarter proved to be Solanco's only highlight as the hosts managed a 10-8 advantage. The Barons, who tallied 18 points off of Solanco turnovers, sat their starters for most of the fourth quarter.

"This is frustrating for me because I don't believe we're a 6-15 team," said head coach Anthony Hall. "I mean, really. We were 6-5 at one point this year but as we moved on, the loss point margin has gotten higher. I believe in them more than they believe in themselves."

Noah Bailey led Solanco's side of the scoring with seven points. Trey Grube, who went over the 1,000 career points plateau last year at Solanco, was held to 17, below his 22.5 team high average.

"I thought Isiah Wright came in and did a great job," Hall said. "He's a freshman and had Grube frustrated. Nolan Wagner, also a freshman, did a nice job as well."

In New Holland Tuesday, February 7, the Mules were looking to end the season on a positive note, splitting the series against Garden Spot, a team they lost to by just ten points in their first meeting.

Solanco got off to a strong start, taking a 13-10 lead after eight minutes. But then the wheels fell off. The Spartans exploded over the middle two frames, pouring in 39 points, including nine treys, while holding the Mules to 19, and taking a 49-32 lead heading into the final eight minutes.

Solanco fought back, winning the final frame 14-9 but it was too little, too late. The Spartans prevailed 58-46.

"We went in knowing they like to shoot the three and they did," stated Hall. "They made a dozen. And, in what has become a pattern for us, we managed just single digits in the third quarter once again. You look back and take away the third quarter in our games and we're either winning or right in there.

"Manny played his best game of the year and finished with 12 points," Hall added. "Noah Baber had 11."

Jaydon Yoder and Brock Osborne both finished with eight as the Mules cap their season at 6-16 overall.