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Maquoketa Valley Defeats Solon in Close Basketball Game

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Tuesday, January 20th 2026 at 8:21 GMT by The Gazette
      Locale: UNITED STATES

Maquoketa, IA - January 20, 2026 - In a hard-fought non-conference basketball game, Maquoketa Valley emerged victorious against Solon with a final score of 64-60. The Hawks demonstrated resilience and consistency, effectively responding to every challenge presented by the Spartans, ultimately maintaining their lead throughout the contest.

The game, played Thursday night, was characterized by its back-and-forth nature. Neither team managed to establish a comfortable lead, creating a tense and exciting atmosphere. Maquoketa Valley coach Scott Keltner acknowledged Solon's strength, stating, "They're a tough team. They challenged us a lot tonight, but our kids responded well." While pleased with the win, Keltner also recognized the team's room for improvement, adding, "We didn't play our best, but we got the win."

The Hawks' balanced scoring effort was a key factor in their victory. Noah Schmidt led the team with 17 points, while Ethan Detweiler contributed 16. Alex Schmidt added a valuable 11 points, and Jacob Bieber chipped in with 10, demonstrating the team's collective ability.

Solon, despite the loss, showed grit and determination. Jacob Frey spearheaded the Spartans' scoring with an impressive 21 points, while C.J. Johnson added 13. However, according to Solon coach Kent Hamilton, consistency proved to be a significant hurdle. "We've got to execute better," Hamilton commented, highlighting the team's struggles with turnovers and shooting accuracy. "We didn't shoot the ball well enough."

The first half saw Maquoketa Valley build an early lead and maintain a 34-28 advantage heading into the break. Solon attempted to close the gap in the third quarter, successfully trimming the deficit to just one point. However, Maquoketa Valley answered with a crucial scoring run, extending their lead once again. The fourth quarter witnessed a renewed push from Solon, who managed to narrow the gap to a single point. Ultimately, Maquoketa Valley's composure and ability to convert free throws in the final minutes secured the victory.

Coach Hamilton emphasized the importance of finding ways to win close games, expressing pride in his team's effort and perseverance despite the outcome. "I'm proud of our effort. We fought hard until the end," he said. The loss underscores the competitive nature of high school basketball and the challenges teams face in maintaining consistent performance.

Looking ahead, Maquoketa Valley will host North Fayette next Tuesday, providing another opportunity to build on their success. Solon, on the other hand, will face Xavier on Saturday in what promises to be another challenging matchup. These upcoming games will test the Hawks' and Spartans' resilience and ability to adjust and refine their strategies based on past experiences.