The Galena High boys basketball team rebounded from a tough overtime loss at Fallon with an impressive 52-36 win over McQueen on Friday at home.
Galena improved to 1-1 in league play as eight of its 11 players scored. While McQueen fell to 0-2, the Grizzlies beat a team that did lead High Desert League favorite Reed 38-37 after three quarters on Tuesday.
"Right now a win's a win," Galena coach Tom Maurer said. "You've got win at home in your league games."
Galena lost to Fallon 46-43 after missing four front ends of one-and-ones down the stretch. The Grizzlies still led by two points with 12 seconds left before losing in overtime.
The Grizzlies played without sophomore Derek Lorenzen and Dalton Turnbow saw limited action against Fallon.
"I thought it was a great loss in a sense that it built character," Maurer said. "You've got to have character to hit one and ones. These kids are young."
Against McQueen, Galena was without one of its team captains, Bobby Contreras, who was out with the flu. Lorenzen returned to score 14 points and Mikey Ferguson added 12 points.
"I thought we did an outstanding job of handling the ball," said Maurer, whose team had just three turnovers in the first half.
Maurer said he was also pleased with his team's defense and rebounding. "We just were not intimidated," he said.
Galena Notes: Maurer headed to Manhattan, Kan. today to watch one of his former players, Matt Siebrandt play for Kansas State, which is hosting Texas Tech, which is coached by Bob Knight. Maurer also has ties to Knight, working in one of his camps.
GALENA GIRLS 45, MCQUEEN 34
Joanna Hixon scored 19 points for the Galena girls basketball team, which improved to 1-1 in league play.