Tigers to meet Galena

By Charles Whisnand

Appeal Sports Editor

For the Douglas and Galena High boys basketball teams, the anticipation must be excrutiating. The must be asking themselves, is it 5 p.m. yet?

That's when the two teams will play today at Spanish Springs in the most anticipated game of the year to date in Northern Nevada. The winner will advance to Saturday's Northern 4A finals and gain a berth in the NIAA 4A State Championships. On Saturday, the winner will play the winner between Reno High and Manogue, who play at 7 p.m. today, in the zone finals at Spanish Springs.

"I want to play right now," said Galena coach Tom Maurer on Wednesday night. "I've got the adrenaline going. I don't want to go to bed tonight. I can't stand it."

For both teams it's a chance at redemption. Douglas was denied a chance to win a state title by the team that eventually won it last year when the Grizzlies edge the Tigers 56-55 in the zone finals last year in one of the most dramatic games in Northern Nevada basketball in recent memory.

But the Grizzlies are also looking for redemption after being embarrassed at home by Douglas, 66-54, in December.

"I think they flat out played us in every (area) of basketball," said Maurer about the December meeting. "They stuck it to us offensively."

"I guess the only thing positive was we had two weeks of vacation after that," said Maurer about the fact that the team was able to leave the area after that game.

Maurer also noted that his team didn't handle the Tigers' physical style of play in December or the size of players such as 6-7 Jeff Nady. He said his team will have to be much more physical today, but also added that his team won't be able to take any time off while on the court. "We're going to have to play 90 feet," he said.

It's not uncommon for Douglas to go to the foul line at least 25 times in a game and the Tigers made 25 free throws against Galena in December. That's due to the fact that Douglas moves better away from the ball than any other team in Northern Nevada, Maurer said. "We've got to keep them off the line," he said.

Douglas also has a balanced attack with players such as Nady, David Laird and Kevin Emm. For Galena, a balanced attack means the rest of the team has outscored Luke Babbitt.

Maurer said he's been pleased that has been the case in recent games. No matter how Douglas plays it defensively - try to shut down Babbitt and let the rest of the team try to win the game or let Babbitt have his points and try to shut down the rest of the club - if the rest of the team outscores Babbitt, that should favor Galena. So the contributions of players like Jake Mansfield and Goose Robinson could be vital for the Grizzlies.

Maurer said he's also been pleased with the way his team has played defense lately as demonstrated by Tuesday's 71-32 win over Damonte Ranch. But Maurer notes that Douglas - based on its 70-59 win over Reed - looks like an angry team coming off embarrassing losses to Reno and Damonte. "That scares the crap out of me," Maurer said.

While he noted he has a great deal of respect for Douglas coach Corey Thacker, Maurer said, "Tom Maurer and Corey Thacker aren't going to win the game. It's going to be up to the kids. I think it's going to be a great high school basketball game."

But Maurer said he's also concerned about how his team will react in today's environment. Babbitt is the only player with extensive experience in the environment that Galena is going to face today. "I've got a fear and a question mark," Maurer said.

Douglas coach Corey Thacker was unavailable for comment on Wednesday night.

3A BASKETBALL

The Dayton boys and girls and Yerington girls are all just one win away from the NIAA 3A State Tournament while the Yerington boys have a harder route to take if they are to advance to state in the Northern 3A playoffs being held in Elko.

Dayton's boys are the No. 2 seed and with a win over the winner between Sparks and Lowry on Friday in the Northern 3A playoffs, the Dust Devils will make their sixth straight trip to state. Dayton will play its first playoff game at 4:30 p.m. Friday.

Yerington is the No. 4 seed and has to open at 7:30 p.m. today against Truckee. With a win, the Lions would advance to face No. 1 seed Incline at 7:30 p.m. Friday and with a win in that game would advance to state.

Both Dayton and Yerington have balanced attacks with Tannar Wood, Jerrin Foster and Hans Meyer among those leading the Dust Devils and James Roberts, Marcus Kness, Casey Wildermuth and Burke Bristol among those leading Yerington.

As the No. 1 and No. 2 seeds, Dayton's and Yerington's girls could be heading for a showdown for the Northern 3A title. Dayton will play either Spring Creek or Truckee at 6 p.m. Friday while Yerington will play either Lowry or Fernley at 3 p.m. Friday. With a win, both teams would advance to state.

Chanelle Thompson and Brittany Hill lead Dayton's girls while Kayla Lommori, Kariann Kuartz and Angela Marracini are among the leaders for Yerington's girls.

1A PLAYOFFS

Virginia City's boys and girls both finished 11-1 in league to advance to the Northern 1A playoffs as the Western 1A's No. 1 seed. Virginia City's boys will look to make their first trip to state since with the state crown in 2005. Both teams are two wins away from state this year.

The Mucker boys will open against Eastern 1A No. 4 seed Eureka at 2:40 p.m. today at the Winnemucca Events Center. Among the leaders for the Muckers is Zach Shell.

Virginia City's girls will open with McDermitt at 4:20 p.m. today at the Winnemucca Events Center.

Sophie and Gigi Glogovac and Megan Brandon have been Virginia City's leading scorers while freshman Jill Dupre has been among the defensive leaders.

"It's a huge reward," said Virginia City coach Patti Brouhard about winning the Western 1A regular season title.

"Their hard work and determination paid off. We worked very, very hard. We're very, very proud of ourselves."