After an opening heartbreaking loss, the Galena boys basketball team put together a run in which they won four straight, finishing with a 74-66 win against Western on Friday to win the Las Vegas Prep Tournament consolation title.
"We went 4-1 after my blunder," Galena coach Tom Mauer said. Maurer was referring to an 80-72 triple overtime loss against Southern 4A power Green Valley in the tournament opener. Green Valley forced triple overtime with a game-tying three-pointer at the end of double overtime after Maurer instructed his team to play a defense it never practiced.
Even tough Galena gave up 66 points against Western, it was still a strong defensive effort considering Western had beaten North Valleys 93-92 to advance to the consolation title game. The Grizzlies also led Western to 26 points in the second half after trailing 40-36 at halftime.
Derek Lorenzen scored 25 points and was named to the all-tournament team. 6-7 freshman Luke Babbitt added 20 points.
Western had a player averaging 33 points, but Chad Seidenstricker was able to hold him to 18. "He matched up well with him in height, quickness and strength," Maurer said.
After Lorenzen opened the second half with 13 points, including three threes, Western went to a box and one to him down. But that just opened it up for Babbitt, who scored 10 points, Seidenstricker, who had eight points, and Eric Maupin, who had nine points after Western changed its defense.
"If anybody's foolish enough to do that, we've got too many weapons," Maurer said. Babbitt also had a monster dunk.
Maurer said the tournament was good preparation for Northern 4A player. "We saw some really good teams," he said.