ITEM FILE PHOTOS
Edwin Solis, left, is more of a rebounder while Erick, right, is more of a slasher.
By Harold Rivera
LYNN — The 2016-2017 season has been a special one for Solis brothers, Edwin and Erick, and the Lynn Classical boys basketball team.
The Solis duo, both juniors, has helped the Rams make noise in the Northeastern Conference and clinch a spot in the state tournament. What makes it even more special for the pair is that they’ve seen success on the court together.
Each in his second season under Classical coach Tom Grassa, Edwin and Erick have both played critical roles for the Rams. Grassa shared the differences in each brother’s skillset.
“They have different strengths,” Grassa said. “Edwin’s an excellent rebounder and passer. In games, he can really hit 3-point shots but that’s probably his third-best skill. He’s a great passer. He makes long, precision passes to kids streaking down the court that most kids can’t make.”
Grassa added, “Erick chooses to drive to the basket. For the last two years, he’s led the team in free throws attempted. There were probably five or six games last season where he took 12-15 foul shots.”
For Grassa, a pair of brothers carrying Classical to success brings past memories. Grassa’s own sons, Jasper and Nick, both played for their father at Classical from 2007-2010. Jasper went on to play college hoops at Bentley, while Nick, the younger brother, shined at Salem State.
Now the Grassa brothers serve as assistants on their father’s coaching staff.
“Jasper and Nick always knew their strengths and weaknesses,” Grassa said. “They had a nose for where they each liked to get the ball. Erick and Edwin are definitely like that. Sometimes they get trapped on the court, but they have each other’s backs.”
Erick, a guard/forward, is averaging 14 points and seven rebounds per game this season.
“I’ve been working hard in practice,” Erick said. “I’m trying to get better each day. I’m hoping to continue my career after high school. My goal is to play basketball in college.”
As a five-year-old, Erick was introduced to basketball and grew up playing the sport alongside Edwin. Throughout the years, the brothers have developed a chemistry with one another.
“We’ve been playing for a long time, since elementary school,” Erick shared. “On the court, I can tell where he’s going to be without having to look for him. We don’t really have any problems running our offense. It’s just straight chemistry.”
Erick added, “We give one another advice. Sometimes when I mess up on a play and I don’t see it, he’ll (Edwin) tell me that I need to look at that faster. Sometimes when he passes up on an open shot, I’ll tell him he needs to take that shot.”
Edwin, a forward, has served as a Russell Westbrook prototype for the Rams this year. The junior has shown his talents in all phases of the game and often comes to close to logging a double-double. Edwin is averaging 11 points and seven rebounds per game.
“I’m rebounding a lot and doing other things besides scoring to help my team win,” Edwin said. “It’s not just about scoring, I’m doing the little things that help the team most.”
This year’s Classical team carries just three seniors on its roster, and only one of them starts. With a relatively young roster, the Solis duo has the opportunity to assume leadership roles as juniors.
“Me and Erick communicate well with the coaches,” Edwin said. “They usually pull me and my brother aside and talk to us. As juniors, they’re looking for us to be leaders on the team. We all communicate well.”
In his second season under Grassa’s helm, Edwin has seen himself grow on the court under his coach’s system. Edwin credited Grassa for teaching him different aspects of basketball.
“It’s been fun playing for Coach Grassa,” Edwin said. “It’s been a great experience. I’ve learned a lot from him.”
Now that the Rams are moving into the closing stretch of the season, Classical’s looking to finish on a high note with a deep run in the state tournament. The Rams were ousted by Arlington in the first round of the last season’s tournament, but this year’s group is hoping to erase those sour memories.
“Hopefully we’ll make it past the first round,” Edwin said. “Last year we lost in the first round. A lot of us are still upset about that. That’s helped motivate us this season. Hopefully we can get a ring this year.”
Regardless of whatever happens for Classical the rest of the way, both brothers acknowledged that suiting up for the Rams together will add lasting memories to their respective careers.
“Getting to play high school basketball with my brother, we’ve been together a lot,” Edwin said. “I like that.”
“It’s special because without him, I don’t know what it would be like,” Erick said. “We’ve been playing basketball at the YMCA since we were little. If I had to do it without him, I don’t know what it would feel like.”
