Galena boys hoops falls to Valhalla

Staff Reports

The Galena High boys basketball team just didn't have enough left in the tank in its third place game in the Grossmont Winter Classic in San Diego.

Galena lost to Valhalla 43-40 to finish 2-2 in the event. The Grizzlies fell to 6-5 as they finished a tough stretch to begin the season.

"We're just exhausted," Galena coach Tom Maurer said. "I know we're getting our agenda done in the big picture.

"I'm not complaining. I'm not disappointed. I thought I got my agenda done. I'm actually pretty happy to go 2-2."

Galena's fatigue showed when it fell behind 11-2 after one quarter. The Grizzlies outscored Valhalla 9-4 in the second quarter to pull to within 15-11 at halftime. The tempo picked up in the third quarter with Galena trailing 37-29 going into the final period.

The Grizzlies were able to outscore Valhalla 11-6 in the fourth quarter before falling short. "The kids wanted to win," Maurer said. "They were just physically exhausted."

But Galena had to depend on Derek Lorenzen for most of its scoring as Lorenzen scored 23 of the 40 points.

"Certain kids have got to put some points up," said Maurer about providing scoring support for Lorenzen.

Galena will receive a much-needed break before it begins play on Friday in a tournament in Tucson, Ariz., that features many of the nation's top teams.