After a bumpy season last winter, the Solon girls basketball team is stepping into the new year with a renewed sense of purpose and a belief that the comeback they’ve been working toward is not only possible, but already taking shape.
Solon is returning eight varsity players from last year’s team, a group that averaged 47.47 points per game but allowed opponents to score an average of 61.09 points per game. The girls also struggled with turnovers and rebounds, an area coaches say they expect to improve upon with the added depth.
Head coach and gym teacher Trish Kruse said the challenges from last season were clear and served as a starting point for change. She said the program faced two major issues: having low numbers and navigating the effects of a losing season.
Kruse said the first problem was addressed directly.
“We worked to get other athletes to play this season,” she said, adding that increased participation has already strengthened the program’s foundation.
She said shifting the program’s mindset was equally important.
“Last year we had a losing season, but we are holding players accountable to our standard and expectation,” Kruse said.
Assistant Coach and AP Human Geography teacher Sean Fisher, returning to the staff this season, said the shift is beginning long before the first game. According to Fisher, it started with reflection.
“Each year is different with its own obstacles and opportunities,” Fisher said. “Coach Kruse and I have coached together for more than a decade, so it’s always fun working with someone that you respect so much. She is doing a great job of trying to improve upon the deficiencies that we had as a team last year.”
Last year’s record of 5-18 isn’t the reference point, he said. The team’s effort is.
“We have really high standards in our program and have had a ton of success in the past,” Fisher said. “Last year doesn’t really have any influence on our outcomes this year. It will all be determined by our attitude and work ethic.”
Kruse said one of the key strategies for rebuilding confidence has been integrating activities that pull the team closer together.
“We have focused on team building activities and drills that help the girls compete,” Kruse said. “A variety of team building activities help promote leadership and teamwork.”
For the players, that change in mindset is clear. Junior guard Kaylie Gaiter-Davis highlighted the shift in focus during practice.
“During practices, we like to focus on the little things so that in games they come natural to us,” Gaiter-Davis said. “We also like to focus on encouraging each other so that we can have confidence in one another as well as ourselves.”
One of the biggest lessons from last season, she said, was recognizing how much confidence matters.
“We know we are talented both individually and as a team, but we doubted ourselves that we were good enough to win games,” Gaiter-Davis said. “This year we will not let doubt take over.”
Senior Marissa Blackford agreed, adding that the team identified consistency as a major area of growth.
“We have learned that we need to play our best for the whole 32 minutes of the game,” Blackford said. “Last year we had ups and downs and weren’t very consistent, but we know we need to work on playing our hardest all the time during practice and translating it into games.”
Blackford said the team began each practice with fundamental drills, including defense, ball handling and conditioning to build a stronger base than in years past.
“We are still working on bettering our fundamentals,” Blackford said. “Especially our defense and ball handling, and we start every practice with drills focusing on these principles.”
The approach mirrors Kruse’s wider expectations. She said her coaching philosophy hasn’t changed from previous years.
“We have a standard and an expectation — we expect our players to compete and win,” she said.
Leadership, on and off the court, has become a focal point for returning players stepping into the bigger roles. Fisher said leadership in the program doesn’t depend on age or seniority.
“You can be a leader by always giving your best and showing characteristics of a positive leader on the court and in the classroom” Fisher said.
As for personal roles, both athletes said they feel responsible for driving the team’s momentum. Gaiter-Davis said she tries to lead through her effort.
“I see myself as a leader through actions,” she said. “I will go hard in practice so that my teammates will also push themselves. During games I see myself running the court, trying to get my teammates involved and make plays work for them.”
Blackford echoed that leadership mindset.
“I see myself being a leader and setting good examples,” she said. “Pushing the pace, getting defensive stops or hitting threes.”
Kruse said this year’s group brings strengths she is eager to utilize.
“We have depth and athleticism,” she said. “We plan to play up tempo and wear teams out with our relentless mentality.”
Gaiter-Davis said the team’s energy has also shifted noticeably from last year.
“I believe the team’s energy this year is much better because we have more people who are willing to lead,” Gaiter-Davis said. “Now that we have more people confident enough to lead us, it takes the whole team’s energy in the right direction.”
Blackford said the added varsity experience has also strengthened team chemistry, which is something they lacked last season, with returning varsity players like senior post Grace Gerhard, senior guard Jacey Simms and sophomore guard Madelyn Kormuth, while also missing key players who graduated from recent years like Mackenzie Blackford, Sophia Lance, Erica Olszewski and many more.
“We have more varsity experience this year than last year,” Blackford said. “We have really good team chemistry and togetherness that helped us on the court.”
Team traditions, both old and new, contribute to a sense of unity, according to Fisher. Even small customs play a role in shaping team culture.
“There are all sorts of traditions that help foster team spirit,” Fisher said. “Even things as simple as the team and Coach Kruse dressing up and entering the Halloween Costume contest together as a group each year.”
Kruse said she believes some traditions are essential for maintaining team connection.
“Team meals and activities are really important for unity,” she said.
Players share that sentiment. Gaiter-Davis said she looks forward to the bonding moments that happen beyond the court.
“When we have games far away we will stay in hotels and Kruse will take our phones,” Gaiter-Davis said. “We play spoons and other card games as a team. Hopefully this year we get to go sledding or do other team bonding activities.”
Blackford said team dinners and brunches are some of her favorites.
“We always do some sort of team bonding,” Blackford said. “These are always fun and I’m hoping we get to do it this year.”
Both players noted that team support is constant, whether the day is good, bad or exhausting.
“The team is very caring of one another,” Gaiter-Davis said. “If someone makes a good play, we hype them up, and if they make a mistake we let them know it’s okay so they don’t dwell on it.”
Blackford added that accountability goes hand-in-hand with encouragement.
“We know what we can accomplish as a team if we all play our best and work together,” she said.
With conference and district titles in mind, Fisher said progress will depend not only on talent, but on how well the team grows as a unit.
“There is a lot of individual talent on this team,” he said. “Our success will be dependent on how well the players can push themselves to improve some of their deficiencies and work together for overall team success.”
Kruse said the tram’s larger goal is straightforward.
“Our goal this year is to win,” she said.
Solon, 4-2, will play their next game on December 12, 2025, facing 2-3 North Royalton at North Royalton.
And for the players, the excitement for the season feels tangible. Blackford said she’s most looking forward to the team’s first home game.
“To play on our court for the first time and hopefully pull out a win,” she said.
If the team’s renewed confidence, chemistry and commitment are any indication, it appears that they are on track for a notable turnaround.
“Our success is dependent on working as a team,” Fisher said.
