The Verona Wildcats played a tough first quarter against Galena on February 25, but the following three quarters went to Galena. Verona lost 48-67 in the final home contest of the season.
Galena opened with a full-court press, but Seth Losack found a way to put up a two-point shot to start the scoring for Verona. Cody Ernsberger followed with another two points before Galena could score. From there, Galena tied the score at four.
Verona, coached by Brad Stewart, stayed close with Ernsberger sinking a three-pointer and Ascencion Estrada draining another three-pointer to tie the game at 12. Verona had good ball movement in the first quarter, but a Galena free throw gave the Bears a one-point lead at the end of the first quarter.
Estrada started the second quarter with two successful free throws after being followed behind the three-point line. Verona led 14-13, and that would be the last lead for the Wildcats.
Galena went on a scoring run to jump out to a 31-16 lead midway through the second quarter. Estrada scored on a three-point shot and a free throw, but Galena stole the ball four consecutive times, which led to baskets for the Bears.
Wesley Kissinger and Estrada scored on three-pointers with less than one minute left in the half to send the Wildcats to the locker room trailing 26-41.
Larry Patterson opened the third quarter with a pull-up jumper, but Galena out-rebounded Verona and got off more shots. Clifford Williams was the only other scorer in the third quarter for Verona with a free throw and a three-pointer. Verona trailed 32-53 at the end of the third quarter.
Kissinger started the scoring in the fourth quarter to bring the score to 34-55. Verona limited Galena to two points through the first part of the fourth quarter, while Ernsberger and Patterson scored on two-point shots. Kissinger drained a three-pointer midway through the fourth quarter to bring the score to 41-57.
Verona sent Galena to the free-throw line late in the fourth quarter to allow the Bears to continue its lead and the 67-48 win. Other Verona scorers were Patterson and Ernsberger.