Babbitt nears the record in Galena's win

The Galena High boys basketball team would obviously love to see Luke Babbitt become the state's all-time leading scorer at home.

But if tonight's game goes in any way like the one on Friday, it's more than likely that Babbitt is going to break the record on the road. Babbitt scored 47 points to help Galena come back for a 74-73 win on Friday against one of Southern Nevada's top teams.

With the 47 points, Babbitt moved within 25 points of breaking the state scoring record of 2,616 points held by Armon Johnson and Prince Fowler. Babbitt now has 2,592 points.

Galena coach Tom Maurer said he would love to have Babbitt break the record when the Grizzlies return hom to play Fallon this Friday. But Maurer said if it becomes necessary like on Friday for Babbitt to continue to score to win today's game, then Babbitt may break the record today.

Judging by how the teams match up that's a distinct possibility as Desert Pines and Eldorado played in a 71-70 game earlier this week.

"We needed every point of his and I'm against that kind of stuff," said Maurer about Friday's game.

Eldorado came into the game at 15-5 and 5-0 in league and has give Canyon Springs its only loss. "For us to come down here and win like this is a heckuva win," Maurer said.

Galena trailed 34-24 at halftime and by 13 points early in the third quarter when Eldorado switched to a zone. That's when Babbitt took advantage with his outside shooting.

The Grizzlies outscored Eldorado 27-18 in the fourth quarter. Babbitt scored 18 of the points and Goose Robinson, who scored all 13 of his points in the second half, added the other nine. "He was a spark," said Maurer about Robinson.

Galena led 72-67 with 12 seconds left when Eldorado hit a three-pointer to make it 72-70. Babbitt then hit two foul shots that proved to be the difference as Eldorado beat the buzzer with another three for the final margin. The Grizzlies hit 9-of-10 foul shots in the fourth quarter and 14-of-16 for the game.

"We played a great fourth quarter," Maurer said. "We played a great, competitive third quarter.

"I don't want to take about the first half. We feel like we're going to get two great games with two athletic teams."