The varsity boys basketball team played in two games on Saturday, December 8th. They played the Fulton Steamers and the Stockton Blackhawks. Galena lost in a close game to Fulton 58-54, and then won the second game by taking down the Blackhawks by a score of 50-41.

The Pirate’s leading scorer against Fulton was Conner Einsweiler ‘19 with 18 points. Other top scores were Evan Kruse ‘19 with 10 and Tyler Moran ‘19 also with 10. The game came down to the final minutes with back and forth scoring between both teams, but it was Fulton with a 4 point lead and the ball with 30 seconds left causing the Pirates to start fouling.

After the fouling began Galena was unable to capitalize on their quick shots and Fulton continued to hit clutch free throws. With time running out, Fulton had a seven point lead, and both teams knew that the game was over. In a last second effort to make the game closer Freshman Ethan Hefel made a deep three point buzzer beater. The Pirates had actually beaten Fulton earlier this year in similar fashion during the River Ridge Turkey Tournament.

After the loss to Fulton the Pirates set their sights on the Blackhawks of Stockton. The boys only had one game of rest between Fulton and Stockton. The Pirates looked very sluggish and tired in the first half of the game, heading into the locker room with only a 2 point lead. After halftime adjustments and a passionate talk from coach the boys came out of that locker room with something to prove.

The Pirates went into full court pressure flustering their opponents. The Pirates were able to make a few steals, and get some quick buckets spanning their lead to 10 early in the third quarter. From there on out the pirates coasted the rest of their game keeping a rather consistent 8 to 10 point lead. Kruse led the team with 19 points.

The Pirates came out on top of Stockton by 9 points, and held them to only 41 points. The Pirate’s coach Matt Wienen has made it a common theme of the season that if their opponent scores less than 50 points then the Pirates will win, and so far that has been true. All games that Galena’s opposing team has scored under 50 points have been Galena Victories.

The team will take on Fulton Unity on Wednesday, December 12th as the third game of the Route 84 Holiday Tournament.