Martiniski, Elk Grove deny Larkin a victory

Matt Martinski may not have the size of some other area post players.

What the 6-foot-2 Elk Grove junior forward does have is game.

Martinski showed why Tuesday night against Larkin, pouring in 25 points in a 68-53 homecourt victory as the Grenadiers posted their third win of the year.

The visiting Royals (1-20) stayed stuck on 1 victory for the season.

"Watching them (Larkin) play tonight," said Elk Grove coach Anthony Furman, "I can see that they're better than a one-win team -- but I felt coming in that we were better than a two-win team."

Martinski scored 14 of his points in the second half to help the Grens pull away.

"He's just a junior," said Furman, "and he's a guy we're going to lean on this year, and next year. Almost every game he has to go up against guys who are four to six inches taller than him, so it's nice to have a game (like tonight) where the opposing team is about our size."

"I felt like if I could get some touches down low," said Martinski, "I could get them jumping, and finish."

Guard Jeff Saurbaugh led Larkin with 13 points.

"Last couple of games," said Royals coach Larry Hight, "we've been getting off to a slow start. Our defense has been really slipping."

Elk Grove (3-21) led by double digits most of the way but two quick buckets by Larkin junior Brandon Cooks midway through the third quarter brought the Royals to within 33-27.

Then Martinski got a steal and layup, Billy Hubly (18 points) sank a layup, Martinski hit a 3 and just like that the Grens were up by 13.

Senior Cam Kinley scored 8 of his 10 points in the fourth quarter as Larkin tried to rally but the Royals couldn't get closer than 10.

Tim Furlong had 7 points and 8 rebounds for Elk Grove while Deonte McFadden added 7 points for Larkin.

"Defense," said Hight, "is what makes us go. We've got to start keeping our opponents under 50 points."