Boys Basketball: Maine South’s Solari shoulders big load

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Park Ridge-John Solari (left) Maine South works the ball against the ETHS defense of Peter Winslow and Josh Irving. Boys basketball game: The Wildkits of Evanston travel to battle the Hawks of Maine South. | Joe Cyganowski ~ For Sun Times Media

Updated: February 27, 2012 8:41AM

In his first two seasons at Maine South, John Solari wasn’t asked to do too much. 

The 6-foot-4 junior now carries most of the load for the Hawks, and his broad shoulders are strong enough to hold up to the task. 

Coming into this week, Solari, who also plays receiver for Maine South, was averaging team highs in points (14.5) and rebounds (5.4). In the new year, he’s averaging nearly 17 a game, with a career-high 24 coming Jan. 9 against York. 

“He has that mentality of ‘It’s my time,’ ” said Maine South coach Tony Lavorato. “He’s the man now. He’s a big part of this team.”

Once again, Solari did his part Friday, scoring a game-best 17 points in the 53-49 win over Evanston to even the Hawks at 3-3 in the CSL South and improve them to 12-9 overall after their fifth win in a row.

“We all knew it was going to happen,” Solari said of a winning streak. “We just needed to string together more good possessions in the fourth quarter. That’s what we’ve been doing.”

Tied 24-all at the half after seven lead changes, Maine South took control with five points to start the third quarter. Matt Lahey hit three three-pointers in the quarter, including one at the buzzer to help the Hawks to a 39-31 lead. 

Maine South held a two-possession advantage for much of the fourth quarter and were ahead by as many as nine. 

With the assistance of Maine South’s missed free throws, Evanston (3-3, 13-6) made a push in the final couple of minutes, getting within three on Josh Irving’s layup with 17 seconds to play. 

But Solari knocked down one free with 12.5 left to clinch the victory that avenged an earlier 36-35 loss to the Wildkits. Solari finished 9-for-11 from the line and is shooting 85 percentage from the stripe for the season.

“Last year, I started and played a lot, but I was more of a role player,” said Solari, who’s been on varsity since midway through his freshman season. “This year, I took over the scoring load, and I’ve been comfortable in that role.”

Lahey followed Solari with 15 points.

Irving scored a team-best 15 for Evanston, which played without starter Leonard Garron. The 6-4 post was on a football recruiting visit to North Dakota State. 

Maine South was scheduled to play Elk Grove on Tuesday and Niles West on Friday. The Wolves are in last place in the CSL South at 0-6.

“I feel like we can compete with anybody,” Solari said. “We’ve played some really good teams, and we lost by like five points or less every game. I am happy knowing we can play at that level.”