Northern Star: Isaiah Kastern
Solon Springs senior to play for Bemidji State in 2024-25
SOLON SPRINGS, Wis.- The Solon Springs boys basketball team is fueled by a senior class that have run up the ranks sharing the rock.
“We’ve been playing together since like fifth grade, so chemistry probably for sure would be our strong suit,” says Dylan Taggart, who recently scored his 1,000th career point.
“Since they’ve been little kids, they’ve been on the same team and they’ve had a lot of success,” says Head Coach Marcus Besonen. “And it’s kind of been the same format: Just share the ball, doesn’t matter who’s getting it, and get the best shot you can, and really work hard.”
Of all the Eagles’ seniors, nobody draws more attention on the court than Isaiah Kastern. There aren’t many players in Division Five as imposing in the paint as Kastern. When teams focus all their efforts on stopping him, Kastern’s sharpshooting teammates like Taggart are ready to let it fly.
“Isaiah draws a lot of attention and a lot of double teams, so he usually can kick the ball out to us and get us ready,” says Taggart.
“When teams double me, I’ve got shooters on the outside,” Kastern says he’s confident in his teammate’s shooting abilities. “Kaden Corlett, Dylan Taggart, Owen Smith. They’re all very good shooters. They’re all capable of hitting shots and try to play through me and it’s working so far.”
Kastern will depart Solon Springs as the Eagles’ all-time leading scorer, and his future looks bright with plenty of more hoops waiting for him at Bemidji State. But with the state tournament on the horizon, he knows that his time on this team isn’t over just yet. “I’ve loved my experience here. It’s kind of sad that, you know, I’ve got the last couple of games coming up here, but looking forward to what we got going on right now and try to make the best of it and try to have the best memories possible.”
Solon Springs will face Eau Claire Immanuel Lutheran on Thursday in the Division 5 Section Semifinals. If they win, the Eagles will advance to the Sectional Finals on Saturday in Ashland.
