Galena boys, girls roll to easy wins

RENO - Fallon couldn't handle the pressure, and Galena's boys' basketball team took advantage of it.

The Grizzlies held the Wave to single-digit scoring in each of the first three quarters en route to a 71-33 league win Tuesday night at Galena.

Galena (3-0 in the High Desert League) travels to Spanish Springs on Friday while Fallon (0-3 league) competes at McQueen.

"We caused turnovers with our pressure and defense," Galena assistant coach Matt Kromberg said. "We say defense wins championships. That's what we pride ourselves on."

Luke Babbitt powered the inside to lead Galena with a 20-point performance, including a perfect 4-for-4 from the free throw line. Brice Crook took care of business from the perimeter in nailing three 3-pointers to finish with 14 points.

Eight other players scored for the Grizzlies including Chris Madison and J.D. Peters, who both tallied six points each.

The Wave was led by Kevin Flores, who finished with eight points, and David Hyde and Donnie Kidd each added six. Marshall Morrison and Brian Perkins each scored four points.

"Just got to take care of the ball," Fallon coach Corey Williams simply said. "They (Galena) are very long, very athletic. It's hard to see through it."

Fallon managed to score only six points in each of the first and second quarters, and had five in the third.

Fallon hung with Galena in the first quarter when the Grizzlies finished the quarter with an eight-point lead.

Hyde's bucket early in the second quarter cut the deficit to six points.

Enter Galena's full-court press.

The Grizzlies went on to a 16-0 run powered by their defense forcing turnovers and the offense converting on them.

Eric Maupin and Babbitt both dazzled the crowd with their impressive dunks in the quarter.

Maupin stole a pass from Mitch Johnson in the front court and completed the two-handed slam with 5:27 in the quarter.

Nineteen seconds later, Babbitt completed his part of an alley-oop to give his team a 27-8 cushion.

"That was a credit to our defense," Kromberg said about the scoring run. "We put them on their heels."

GALENA GIRLS 47, FALLON 25

Galena's girls' team used its defense to stop Fallon.

"I thought the defense played real well," Grizzlies coach Karen Friel said. "We knew we needed to go full court against them. We needed to create some turnovers."

Galena improves to 3-0 in league while Fallon drops to 1-2.

Fallon coach Chelle Dalager seemed frustrated with her team's ongoing problem with the offense turning the ball over.

"We have to handle the pressure on the perimeter," Dalager said. "We threw the ball in the stands a ton of times."

Dalager feels after playing Galena, they're the team to beat in the High Desert League.

"They're just a good team," Dalager said. "You're looking at the best team in the league."

Caitlin Anderson led Galena with 14 points, including 6-for-6 from the free throw line, and Caitlin Crofts scored 10 points.

"She's always a force," Dalager said of Anderson.

Friel felt Fallon's defense did a good job on Anderson, making her earn her points in the paint.

"Fallon plays great defense," Friel said. "Caitlin Anderson had to work pretty hard for her points."

Seven other Grizzlies scored including Langley Iverson with six points, and Amy Scott with five.

Mallore Getto powered the Wave with 12 points, including a 3-pointer, and Katerina Olivo added seven.

Galena capitalized on Fallon's turnovers, especially in the third quarter, when the Grizzlies scored 12 of their 15 points off turnovers.