The Galena High boys basketball team came within an eyelash of completing a perfect Texas road trip.
But a slow start and the inability to take advantage of several chances to win led to a 55-53 loss to Rockwall of Dallas on Saturday. The Grizzlies finished their Texas road trip at 3-1.
Rockwall, one of the Dallas-area's top teams, improved to 17-4. Galena coach Tom Maurer described Rockwall as a strong all-around team that featured the best three-point shooter in the Dallas area and two 6-8 players.
One of the 6-8 players, Michael Godwin had signed a letter of intent with Texas Tech. But Red Raider coach Bob Knight had reservations about Godwin's ability to compete in the Big 12 and after a request for Godwin's family, the school released him from his letter-of-intent. Maurer said Eric Maupin did an excellent job on Godwin, holding him to six points.
But Galena got off to a slow start, committing three turnovers to begin the game and allowing Rockwall's top three-point shooter to hit two threes. Maurer benched his starters and Galena's bench played well as Rockwall led just 14-10 after one quarter.
Rockwall led 29-21 at halftime, but Galena went on a 20-10 run to take a 41-39 lead after three quarters. The game was tied at 49-49 when Galena had a shot to win the game at the end of regulation, but failed to convert.
The first overtime was scoreless, with Galena having a shot to win at the end of the first overtime, but again failing to convert. Down 55-53 at the end of the second overtime, the Grizzlies had a chance to win or tie the game one more time, but failed to score.
Maurer said his team struggled from the floor and needed to work harder for better shots. "We had to be blue collar," he said. "We were very successful when we were patient."
Although his team played solid defense, it needed a better effort on the boards, Maurer said.
"I thought our defense was fairly good," he said. "We didn't control the boards when we should have."
Despite and off shooting night, Luke Babbitt still scored 19 points and Maupin added 10 points.
"I think the whole program learned a lesson," said Maurer, commenting on the game and including himself in his assessment.
YERINGTON 59, NORTH TAHOE 43
After suffering its first Northern 3A loss to Dayton on Wednesday, the Lions (11-4, 4-1) rebounded at home to keep pace in the league race. "I'm comfortable with where we're at," Yerington coach Daron Wildermuth said.
Yerington took control of the game in the second quarter when it outscored North Tahoe 18-8 to take a 28-19 halftime lead.
"That was your ball game," Wildermuth said. "It was a good win. We definitely needed to get back on the winning track. That was good for us."
Ryan Rife scored 14 pointss, Gary Smith had 13 points and Marcus Ness and Casey Wildermuth each added 10 points for Yerington.
DAYTON WINS
Dayton pulled out a 55-53 win in overtime at Spring Creek to improve to 5-0 in the Northern 3A. The Dayton junior varsity also improved to 5-0 in the Northern 3A with a 60-29 win. Jesse Vickers scored 15 points, Mike Martin had nine points, Ryan Ransdell had eight points and James Yeater and Matt Cantwell each added seven points for Dayton's JVs.