By Peyton Capellen Posted March 6, 2018
Domonick Solis has been breaking ankles and taking names on the basketball court for the past four years at Lowry. He has put countless hours into the game he loves, and it shows very clearly on the court.
Domonick started balling a lot younger than most.
“My parents got me into basketball, and I started playing around the time I was five,” said Solis.
Although basketball has always been Domonick’s favorite, he also played other sports.
“Other sports I have played growing up are football and baseball,” said Solis.
Domonick’s family has been a big part of his athletic career since day one.
“My family has impacted my athletic career by always pushing me to do better, encouraging me, and telling me my rights and wrongs,” said Solis.
Both past high school coaches and Domonick’s father, Fermine Solis, have made big impacts on his basketball game.
“Coaches who have made a big influence on me are my Dad, Mr. Mayo, and Mr. Beatty,” said Solis. “These coaches have impacted me because they have pushed me in practice to become better both on and off the court.”
Junior varsity coach Grant Beatty, who is also a history teacher at Lowry, claimed that Domonick is one of the best kids he has ever coached.
“I’ve had the pleasure of coaching Domonick throughout his high school career, and he is a kid who truly loves the game of basketball,” said Beatty. “He loves everything that comes with it: the practices, the off-season camps, the conditioning, the pick-up games with friends, and all the highs and lows the game brings.”
Beatty has enjoyed coaching Domonick because he is so teachable and a leader on the court.
“Dom is one of the most coachable kids I’ve ever had. If you ask him to do something, he will try his best to do it exactly how you asked,” said Beatty. “As a point guard, he is like a coach on the floor with his high basketball IQ and ability to get his team set up in an offense or in the correct defensive set.”
Beatty’s best memory while coaching Domonick was the time he brought his team back from a huge deficit to win the game in his JV year.
“One of my fondest memories of Dom was being down by 25 plus points vs South Tahoe, and Dom brought us back to get a win by taking it one play at a time, being aggressive on offense and defense, and staying positive with his teammates,” said Beatty. “It was a huge comeback, and after the gam,e you couldn’t tell if we won or lost because Dom always stayed at one level: calm and collected. I love coaching Dom; he’s a great kid, and I have no doubt that basketball will be a major influence in his life. He would make a great coach someday. I look forward to seeing all he accomplishes in life.”
Playing in front of all the fans and fellow students is what Domonick will miss the most about Lowry.
“I will miss playing in a packed gym on Friday nights at home in front of everyone,” said Solis.
Domonick’s basketball career will not end at Lowry. He plans to play at the next level in the fall of 2018.
“I plan on playing in college at Grand Canyon University next year,” said Solis.
Domonick’s biggest role model is not an NBA star but his parents.
“My role models are my parents,” said Solis. “My parents have shown me how to work hard and continue to grow as a person, and they have always been there for me.”
Although there are many good memories Domonick has made with his basketball team at Lowry, his favorite memory dates back to his sophomore year.
“My favorite basketball memory at Lowry was coming back from 20 points on our Winterfest game against South Tahoe, my JV year,” said Solis.
Although Domonick’s high school career is coming to an end, his basketball story is long from over, and it looks like he has a bright future in the sport.
