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Solon girls basketball earns spot in state title game with win over Des Moines Christian

joe randleman, des moines register
·4 min read

DES MOINES —Solon gave Des Moines Christian a taste of its own medicine during the Class 3A semifinals of the girls state basketball tournament Thursday.

The Spartan defense completely suffocated the Lions all game, and especially in the first half. Solon was also successful at spreading its production around on offense, rolling into the 3A state championship game with a 49-25 victory.

More: Iowa high school girls state basketball tournament 2024: Scores, bracket updates daily

"We knew they were going to be a tough battle," said Des Moines Christian coach Chris Harken. "We knew how aggressive they were, and unfortunately we couldn't execute according to our game plan."

The Solon girls basketball team celebrates advancing to the state title game after defeating Des Moines Christian in the state semifinals on Thursday.
The Solon girls basketball team celebrates advancing to the state title game after defeating Des Moines Christian in the state semifinals on Thursday.

Solon (23-3) will face No. 1 seed Estherville-Lincoln Central (24-2) in the championship game Friday night. Des Moines Christian finished one of the best seasons in school history with a 24-2 record.

Here is what we learned from Solon's dominant victory over DMC in the 3A state semifinals.

Solon is relentless

Des Moines Christian's Addy Oetker (11) had to deal with a very good Solon defense all afternoon in the state semifinals.
Des Moines Christian's Addy Oetker (11) had to deal with a very good Solon defense all afternoon in the state semifinals.

Solon showed no mercy in the first half.

The Spartans completely took DMC out of its element over the first 16 minutes. DMC only made two field goals and they turned the ball over 16 times.

Solon also did a good job hurting the Lions on the glass. The Spartans had a 10-1 advantage in offensive rebounds, led by Anna Quillin's five offensive boards.

"Our defense was phenomenal," said Solon guard and Iowa commit Callie Levin. "I don't even know what to say about it. We made them turn the ball over and we made them get out of their offense and do things they don't normally do. It just worked."

For the game, Solon held DMC to 19% shooting from the field. The Spartans held a 36-33 rebounding advantage, including 14-6 on the offensive glass, and they forced 26 turnovers while committing just 11.

Mia Stahle steps up for Solon

Solon's Mia Stahle had 14 points in the Spartans' semifinal win over Des Moines Christian on Thursday.
Solon's Mia Stahle had 14 points in the Spartans' semifinal win over Des Moines Christian on Thursday.

DMC did well containing Levin for most of the night.

Levin entered the game averaging over 22 points, but she was held to just nine by the Lions on 2-of-12 shooting. Abby Hall and Addy Oetker helped stifle one of Solon's most potent players.

Harken said DMC entered the game focused on slowing down Levin and top Spartan outside shooter Hailey Miller, who finished below her season average of 13.6 points as well in scoring 10.

But other players stepped up for Solon.

Mia Stahle led the way. The 5-foot-3 guard was only averaging 6.6 points entering the game, but she led all scorers with 14 points after making 6 of 12 field goals, including two 3-pointers.

"We knew that they were going to guard Callie and Hailey really well because they are the leading scorers for us," Stahle said. "They left me and Kobi (Lietz) wide open and we had to take those shots. They weren't falling the first half, but we knew we had to keep shooting and they started going in."

Stahle also had five rebounds. Lietz tallied seven points, six rebounds and seven steals and Quillin finished with six points and eight rebounds for Solon.

Des Moines Christian had a great run

Des Moines Christian's Abby Hall takes a shot at the basket during a game against Solon on Thursday.
Des Moines Christian's Abby Hall takes a shot at the basket during a game against Solon on Thursday.

Hall led DMC with nine points and Oetker pulled down 13 rebounds and finished with four points, four assists and five steals.

Gianna Bennett finished with four points and five rebounds and Tori Burton had three points and rebounds apiece for the Lions, who will graduate seven seniors, including four starters. Those starters helped DMC put together a historic season.

"We had a phenomenal season," Harken said. "You can't ask for anything else. We had one loss going into the postseason and we played a lot of teams we hadn't beaten in the past. It was kind of a historical season for the girls. The best record in school history and getting to the semifinals for only the second time in school history. I couldn't be more proud of the girls."

Solon is ready for Estherville Lincoln Central

Top-ranked Estherville-Lincoln Central now awaits Solon in the 3A championship game Friday at 8 p.m. back at Wells Fargo Arena.

ELC defeated Forest City (61-47) and Mount Vernon (45-37) to reach the championship game. ELC is led by electric all-state guard Haylee Stokes, who went for 44 points against Forest City and 15 points and six assists against Mount Vernon.

"I know Haylee Stokes is an amazing player," Levin said. "We're obviously going to watch some film, we're going to get to know them a little bit and we're going to give them our best."

Joe Randleman covers high school sports for the Ames Tribune. Contact him at jrandleman@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @JoeRandleman

This article originally appeared on Ames Tribune: Solon handles Des Moines Christian in Iowa girls state semifinals