Galena boys beat Fallon

FALLON - Fallon tried to dictate the tempo in Saturday's varsity boys' basketball game with Galena, but the Grizzlies found a way to increase the speed of the game in the second half to pull away quickly from their hosts.

Galena accelerated for a 64-38 High Desert League win over the Wave in Fallon to clinch the High Desert League championship with a conference record of 10-0, 19-6 overall. Fallon remains winless in the HDL at 0-10 and 1-15 overall.

The taller Grizzlies had problems boxing Fallon out in the first quarter. Fallon worked the ball inside to Donnie Kidd for two baskets, and Billy Sorensen's 3-pointer in the final 20 seconds sliced Galena's lead to 11-8 going into the second quarter.

Fallon limited Galena's 6-foot-8 power forward Luke Babbitt to five points.

Fallon coach Corey Williams said his team's defense was effective in the first half, but he also said it was hard for Fallon to battle back from a deficit.

Galena coach Tom Maurer said Babbitt was trying too hard, and his teammates were not communicating well in the first half.

"That's the sign of a young team. The will was there but not the knowledge," he said.

Fallon tied the game at 13 with 5:53 left in the first half on another layup from the 6-4 Kidd. Babbitt aggressively began to work the inside more, but he was fouled three times. He converted 5-of-5 shots from the free throw line and added a short jumped for a total of seven points.

Kevin Flores' two free throws near the end of the second period sliced Galena's lead to 25-18.

Williams said he's pleased with Kidd's progress this season and how the Fallon senior isn't afraid to confront the opponent's big men.

"Donnie's been working hard. I'm so proud of him," Williams said.

Kidd and Sorensen each scored eight points for the Wave, while Flores had nine points to lead the team.

Maurer wasn't surprised with Fallon's attempt to slow down the game, but he had to make adjustments at halftime.

"Our defense was better in the second half. We were taking away the entry and passing lanes," Maurer said.

Galena mixed its defense in the third quarter and executed its traps and half-court game. Before Fallon could generate any offense, the Grizzlies put together an 11-0 run in the first five minutes of the quarter.

"They can put a run on so quick with their talent," lamented Williams.

The Wave struggled in guarding Babbitt by allowing the sophomore 13 points, six of those coming from the charity stripe. With 1:13 left in the quarter, Babbitt left the game with 27 points, the same number the entire Fallon team had.

Williams said Babbitt is one of the best players he has seen this season.

"I don't know how to stop him," Williams said.

Maurer said his team kept the ball in front of them in the second half and forced Fallon to play catchup ball.

Sorensen accounted for five points for the Wave. He made a reverse layup and his second 3-pointer of the night with 13 seconds left in the game.

Maurer cleared the bench for the entire fourth period. Eric Bishoff and Brice Crook continued to penetrate the Greenwave defense by helping the Grizzlies take a 26-point win. Crook finished the night with 11 points, and Bishoff added seven.