Galena rolls to win showdown for first

The Galena High boys basketball team picked the right time to play arguably its most complete game of the season.

Galena turned a showdown for first in the High Desert League into a rout on Friday at home when it rolled past Elko 71-41. The Grizzlies improved to 5-0 in league while Elko fell to 4-1.

"We did a good job," Galena coach Tom Maurer said. "They're a good team. We played great offense and great defense. We just played a great game. I'm really happy."

Maurer said his team was unselfish on offense and was strong with its help side defense. Maurer also said his team was able to adjust to the tightly officiated game. "I was very excited," he said.

Maurer credited Luke Babbitt with controlling the game early as he scored 11 of Galena's 13 first quarter points.

The Grizzlies led 13-9 after one quarter. "Babbitt got us going," Maurer said. "Babbitt got us stabilized.

Galena didn't commit any turnovers in the second quarter when it took command the game, outscoring Elko 19-10 to take a 32-19 halftime lead.

Babbitt scored 25 points, but received plenty of balanced support. Justin Norvick scored 10 points, Eric Maupin and Brice Crook each scored eight points and Tristan Hill and Luke Leonard each added seven points.

Maurer praised the play of Crook, Leonard, Hill and Maupin. "Maupin did an outstanding job on the boards," Maurer said.

Maurer said he was concerned about the game because his team has been hit hard by illness. Among the starters who missed the game was J.D. Peters. "A lot of kids came up big for us," Maurer said.