Prep Hoops: Galatia opens GEC play by downing Wildcats

Galatia led wire-to-wire to open Greater Egyptian Conference play with a 54-44 victory over Carrier Mills-Stonefort Friday night.

It was a different story than a week before when the Wildcats had handed Galatia a double-digit setback at the Vienna Classic.

"I thought Galatia came ready to play, and I thought we came out with no intensity," said Carrier Mills-Stonefort coach Keil Peebles. "They played much harder than we did, and the scoreboard showed that."

Galatia (1-5, 1-0) raced out to a 12-2 lead a little over three minutes into the contest, and kept Carrier Mills (2-4, 0-1) off balance for most of the night.

"Every time we would make a run, then we would come down and make a turnover or not go to our strength or get out of what our strengths are," said Peebles. "For us to be successful, we have got to execute."

The Bearcats enjoyed a 32-25 halftime lead, but saw Carrier Mills pull to within a field goal early in the third quarter. But like they did for most of the night, the hosts were able to snuff out any rally from the Wildcats.

Carrier Mills went nearly six minutes into the fourth quarter before converting on its only field goal for the period.

"I thought our defense was spectacular," said Galatia coach Rod Wallace who got his first home win since 2007 as he returned to the sidelines at his alma mater again this year. "We did all of the stuff we have been working on for a week. We preformed well, our kids finished, and we did it without a 20-point scorer on the floor, too."

The Bearcats were without the services of senior Devyn Verbeck.

Galatia put four individuals in double figures, including 14 points from Luke Lawrence. Ben Mitchell added a dozen, and Kody Matthews and Austin Stevens both scored 11.

Brody Walker had 22 to pace Carrier Mills. Justice Hill dropped in 13 points.

The Wildcats lost senior Dylan Schwartz to an apparent back injury in the third quarter when he landed awkwardly attempting to block a shot.

"Dylan (Schwartz) is a player we need on the floor," said Peebles. "He leaves it on the floor everytime he plays so he is a valuable asset to us and hopefully, it's just a minor setback."

Carrier Mills hosts Thompsonville Tuesday evening.

Galatia 54 Carrier Mills-Stonefort 44

CM 14 11 11 8 - 44

GAL 20 12 12 10 - 54

CM (44): Schwartz 2 0-0 4, Gibbs 1 1-2 3, Austin 0 1-4 1, Lewis 0 1-2 1, Walker 10 2-2 22, Hill 5 3-4 13. Totals 18 8-14 44.

GAL (54): Lawrence 5 3-5 14, Matthews 4 2-3 11, Mattingly 1 0-0 2, Stevens 4 1-1 11, Mitchell 6 0-3 12, Pulliam 2 0-0 4. Totals 22 6-12 54.

3-pointers: Galatia 4 (Stevens 2, Lawrence, Matthews). Team fouls: Carrier Mills 16, Galatia 17. Fouled out: Stevens.