ST. PAUL, Minn. – Twenty-one years ago, Steve Solaja was a sophomore guard for Harding High School, chasing the dream of a state tournament appearance. That dream ended in heartbreak when his team fell short in the section finals against Tartan. Now, he’s back—not as a player, but as the head coach, with a chance to lead his alma mater to the victory that eluded him all those years ago.
Tonight, Harding faces St. Thomas Academy in the Section 3AAA championship game, with a shot at making history. No Harding team has ever reached the state tournament, but Solaja and his players are determined to change that.
“The last time Harding went this far was in 2003,” Solaja said. “I was a sophomore, and we lost in the section finals. Now, these kids have a chance to go where no Harding team has gone before.”
Solaja’s coaching journey began unexpectedly—when his nephew’s third-grade team needed a coach, he stepped up. That experience sparked a passion that eventually led him back to Harding, first as an assistant, then as head coach in 2022. Now, he's guiding a new generation of players toward the same goal he once chased.
“They are hungry and ready to play!” Solaja said. “They know if we win this game, they will be the first team in history to make it to the state tournament.”
But tonight’s game isn’t just about making history—it’s about representing the East Side of St. Paul with pride.
“It means everything to the East Side!” Solaja emphasized. “Especially having two teams in the section finals—us and Johnson. Good luck to Johnson tonight, by the way! We always hear the negatives about the East Side of St. Paul, so to have two programs with a chance to play for state—it’s a positive and great thing.”
For Solaja, this is more than just a game—it’s a shot at redemption, a chance to finish the story he started as a player two decades ago. The Knights are ready, their coach is battle-tested, and history is waiting to be made.
Tip off is 6p at Saint Thomas Academy.