While Keystone was busy winning back-to-back Lorain County League titles, it was also waiting for an up-and-coming talent to spur herself into the program.
After she spent last year playing middle school basketball, freshman Madyson Sokolowski has taken her impressive skills to the varsity stage and into the starting lineup.
When the undefeated Wildcats needed a basket to force overtime against Lorain County League contender Columbia, Coach Rocky Houston had no trouble putting the team’s hopes on her shoulders, as she drilled the game-tying 3-point shot to force overtime.
“I told her (to shoot). We were (on the sideline) while they were shooting free throws. We said “Maddie, when we run ‘Florida’ and they switch, do your step-back. We ran ‘Florida,’ that girl switched on her, she hit her step-back and she knocked the shot down. We did so many things that were perfect.”
Keystone went on to defeat Columbia, 48-47, in a battle between two of the area’s undefeated teams. Sokolowski (14 points) was an impact player in the fourth quarter and overtime period, after her only points came from a pair of free throws in the third quarter.
Columbia vs. Keystone girls basketball: Wildcats outlast Raiders in overtime
“She was shooting, but she was tentative. She wasn’t shooting with confidence. I really came down to when I said (shoot your stepback). I think that she needed to hear that it was okay to take that shot and she did. After that, the floodgates were open.”
Sokolowski also blocked Columbia’s last-second shot at the end of regulation and made a corner 3-point shot to kickstart Keystone’s path to victory in overtime.
“It was a great (feeling), with high energy. It got my team pumped. That is where we get the energy to back and play more defense,” Sokolowski said.
According to teammate Vivian Cassell, Keystone felt the momentum turn in its favor after those shots fell in.
“Even (Columbia), as a team, they looked upset. We knew that once we saw that in their faces, we had to keep pushing the ball. Jessica (Forthofer’s) and-one helped us out a lot in that overtime too,” Cassell said.
When watching Sokolowski play, it reminded Coach Houston and teammate Vivian Cassel of NBA point guard Kyrie Irving, with an impressive handle, marksmanship off the dribble and on catch-and-shoot situations.
“(Sokolowski) knows how to handle the pressure and knows when to take good shots. She needs to shoot the ball more honestly,” Cassell said.
Compared to last season, Sokolowski’s addition brings a second point guard on the court, which allows Helayna Houston to be more aggressive on defense and not worry about foul trouble. Coach Houston also noticed the difference on screens.
“Maddie brings the ability to handle the basketball, create a shot and take that shot. Helayna (Houston), she wants to attack around the hoop. She does a really good job of that and she will kick to the corner. When Maddie comes off of that screen and drop behind her, she is going to slow it down and see if she can get a shot and blow by you, get to hoop for a layup. She plays differently and there is a different dynamic.”
In her first season at the varsity level, Sokolowski averaged 7.8 points per game, 4.3 rebounds and 2.1 steals. She is also a 41% 3-point shooter, but Coach Houston sees room for improvement.
“There still are some other stuff that we have to work on, but man, down here, she has played so much competitive basketball, but she hasn’t played in that situation yet as a varsity player,” he said. “You got to see what she could do as a varsity player in clutch-time, … when the game is on the line. When you need a play, or a bucket and you need to score. She’s shown that she has no problem handling that.”
