Galvan's 20 points help Palatine edge Lake Zurich
Palatine found a hot hand at the right time Tuesday in its boys basketball season opener. Tommy Galvan scored 12 of his game-high 20 points in the fourth quarter, and the host Pirates rallied from a 5-point deficit for a 44-42 victory in the inaugural Ed Molitor Thanksgiving Basketball Classic.
The Pirates shot 3-of-24 from the field in the first half, yet led 14-11 as Lake Zurich combined 3-of-18 shooting with 11 first-half turnovers.
"I said at halftime that I was pleased with the effort," said Palatine coach Eric Millstone. "It was just a matter of the offense catching up with the defensive intensity.
"It was a typical first game," Millstone said. "I thought Tommy gave us a good effort defensively. We know what he can give us offensively. Tonight he took a step forward guarding different types of people."
The Bears (0-2) recovered and took their first lead of the game when Mike Boyd (17 points) knocked down a 3-pointer for a 20-18 lead with 4:32 left in the third quarter. Another basket by Boyd to open the fourth quarter gave Lake Zurich its biggest lead, 29-24.
"We put a few more points on the board (than Monday night's 49-38 loss to Wheaton North), especially in the second half," said Lake Zurich coach John Zarr. "In the first half, we didn't shoot very well.
"A possession here and there decided it," Zarr said.
Palatine attacked the basket with more confidence in the fourth quarter, regaining the lead at 30-29 on a slam dunk by Mykyta Cheshko (7 points) with 6:30 left. They built a 6-point lead, 39-33, with 1:21 left.
Galvan hit a 3-pointer and 2 layups in the fourth quarter, but the senior did most of his damage from the foul line, where he made 5 of 8 down the stretch.
"In the last two minutes, coach said no outside shots, to take it inside," Galvan said.
"Boyd knocked down some shots tonight," Zarr said. "In order for us to be successful, he has to score."
Palatine matched up with the taller Bears minus starting center, 6-7 senior Kyle Held, who was diagnosed with mononucleosis on Sunday. Lake Zurich was without its football players, who will start practicing later in the week after their season ended last Saturday.