Keystone is opening a new chapter, and All-Ohio guard Madyson Sokolowski will be at the center of it entering her junior year.
The Wildcats concluded their Lakewood Summer League on June 30, and Sokolowski showcased her ability to take the reins of leadership in the huddle.
“I think that (Sokolowski) has been looking forward to this (year). You could see each year that she wanted to do a little bit more. I think that she is ready to be that person to set the example,” Keystone coach Rocky Houston said.
Sokolowski experienced winning early in her career, as she was a freshman spark plug off the bench for Keystone’s final four team.
Fast forward two years, Keystone graduated all of its four-year starters, who led the Wildcats to four straight Lorain County League championships and a regional championship in 2024.
“That (2023-24) team took (Sokolowski) under her wing and showed her all of the stuff that she didn’t know and helped her through it when she was not confident …” Houston said. “Her absorbing all of the stuff that the last two years puts her in the position this year that she understands all the little nuances.”
Last year’s team went 21-3 (13-1 in LC8) with All-Ohioans Vivian Cassell and Brooklyn Barber (in 2023-24). Cassell was also the Lorain County Ms. Basketball award winner.
Keystone’s Vivian Cassell brings the ball up court against Wellington on Jan. 8. (Randy Meyers – For The Morning Journal)
“We have been so fortunate with the amount of girls that played from freshman through senior year, that have been there for (Sokolowski). She is grabbing (the torch) and she’s running with it,” Houston said.
The 2025-26 season will return one starter, Sokolowski, but also features Jayda Gaines, Sophia Clarico and senior Mia Stefan.
Keystone’s Jayda Gaines eyes a free throw during the first quarter against Columbia on Feb 1 . (Randy Meyers – For The Morning Journal)
As a leader, it is still a work in progress. However, Sokolowski prefers to be straightforward, but the tone of the message depends on the personality of the teammate.
“It is good to mentor the younger kids that are coming up,” Sokolowski said. “We only have one senior this year. This is a good opportunity for me to step up into a bigger role and be a role model.”
Sokolowski was a 2024-25 Division IV second-team All-Ohioan. She was the area’s scoring champion scoring 18.8 points per game, with 5.1 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 3.1 steals.
“I am working on my mental capacity. I am not only trying to create for myself, but for my teammates as well, so they can lean on me. I think that is really important,” she said.
She plays AAU basketball with MAC Basketball and Houston took notice of her work ethic.
“Whether it is working on her individual skills, being a good teammate, communicating or leading by example, she’s doing all those little things, because she is at the forefront now,” Houston said.
Sokolowski said she is working on finishing inside the paint, as she stands at 5-foot-6.
“If we are playing teams with bigger girls down low, I need to learn how to be like Jalen Brunson and get in there,” she said. “I want to finish like Jalen Brunson. I think he does that really well, as a smaller guard getting into the paint.”
Keystone, who was recently dropped to Division V, was the smallest school in the Lakewood Summer League. Yet, Houston applauded how his team competed.
Keystone girls basketball: Wildcats drop to Division V in OHSAA 2025-26 alignment
“There is nobody that is close to us in size and we didn’t back down from anybody,” he said. “We competed with every single team out here. The physicality of it did not bother the young girls. We have four freshmen and four sophomores. The game that gets that physical and that fast, it can be a trainwreck sometimes. … They are not going to be out-physicaled and are not going to be out-efforted.”