The Galena High boys basketball team took care of business heading into a make or break weekend with a 54-41 win at Damonte Ranch on Tuesday.
Galena improved to 10-2 in the High Desert League heading into a showdown at home on Friday with league frontrunner Reed. The Grizzlies then finish with McQueen on Saturday.
If Galena sweeps both games, the Grizzlies wil clinch the league's No. 1 seed in the Northern 4A playoffs. But if Galena fails to sweep, it will almost assuredly finish third, meaning a trip to Reno or Hug for the first round of the playoffs.
Against Damonte Ranch, Galena jumped out to an 18-7 lead after one quarter and controlled the game through, although it couldn't completely shake Damonte.
"They're getting much better," Galena coach Tom Maurer said. "We did some nice things offensively, defensively."
Maurer stressed his team didn't look past Damonte. "We didn't disrespect Damonte," he said. "Now we can finally focus on Reed."
Galena depended on three players - Derek Lorenzen, who scored 27 points, Luke Babbitt (13) and Chad Seidenstricker (11).
"The role players basically did not show up," Maurer said. "I felt they weren't ready to go."
Maurer did praise the play of Eric Maupin, who was able to contain Damonte's 6-7 post player. "It was a great defensive effort by Maupin," Maurer said.
GALENA GIRLS 58, DAMONTE RANCH 31
The Galena girls basketball team (18-8, 8-4) made sure it didn't stumble as it tries to clinch a playoff berth in the High Desert League.
Galena finishes with league front-runner Reed on Friday and McQueen on Saturday. The Grizzlies are in a three-way battle with McQueen and Manogue for the last two playoff spots behind Reed and Fallon.
If Galena can't pull off the upset against Reed, it would likely need a win against McQueen to clinch a playoff berth.
Against Damonte, the Grizzlies raced out to a 14-3 lead after one quarter and led 38-12 at halftime.
Caitlin Anderson scored 24 points in limited action for Galena. Alyse Iverson added 12 rebounds and seven steals, picking up eight rebounds and five steals in the first quarter.
