The Geibel boys basketball team really knows how to take control of a game early.
On Friday night, the Gators rattled off 16 straight points to start the game against the visiting Pioneers, and Geibel used that strong start to waltz away with a 72-55 victory over West Greene in Section 2-A.
"We've been getting out of the gate very well," Geibel coach Ken Misiak said. "That sets the tone for our kids."
The Gators, who remain undefeated through four games, used four 3-pointers to jump out to the big lead. Jordan White hit two treys right off the bat while John Bokat and Dale Speggen each added a trifecta. White finished with 17 points and Bokat notched 13. Zack Leonard also contributed four points in the first, and he finished with 10.
The Gators (2-0, 4-0) had a comfortable lead, but West Greene (0-2, 1-4) managed to reel off nine straight to get back in the game.
Joel Phillips knocked down six while Robbie Shough contributed five. Shough led all point-getters with 25 while Phillips checked in with 13.
After each team put together a string of points, the game stabilized, but it wasn't long before the Gators gained complete control again.
In the second frame, White hit a hoop and the accompanying foul shot to give the Gators a 30-15 lead.
Then late in the second, Geibel exploded for nine points in less than 30 seconds to take a 46-19 advantage.
"In the second quarter we got a couple of quick baskets," Misiak said. "We got some steals and got some lay-ups."
Travis Welc hit for 11 points in the game. Seven of those points came in the second as Geibel led 48-22 at the half.
In the second half, the Pioneers put up a much better fight as Shough poured in eight, including two 3-pointers. But West Greene just could not stop Geibel's scoring punch.
Leonard hit for six in the third while Bokat slipped in four. And after three, the Gators were in control, 62-35.
The fourth quarter was West Greene's best eight minutes of the night. It was also Geibel's worst as the Pioneers outscored the Gators 20-10.
Keith Ross, who scored 10 points for West Greene, hit a foul shot to make it 66-49. The Gators got into a lot of foul trouble in the fourth, but West Greene could only hit seven-of-18 from the line.
In the end, the Gators were never really threatened, but Misiak was a little concerned with the team's letdown, particularly in the fourth.
"Sometimes late in the game, we get a little lazy," Misiak said. "I think they look at the score. But I'm glad everybody got to play because everybody has been working hard in practice."
Misiak acknowledged that the Gators had a goal in mind defensively. They came close to the mark, but fell just a little short. Now the team will have to make up for it in practice.
"We wanted to hold them to 52 points. We came up three short, so they'll have to run three laps in practice," Misiak said with a laugh.
All kidding aside, the Gators remain undefeated and sit atop the section standings.
"We have to do better," Misiak said. "But we're 2-0 in the section and that's where we want to be."
The Gators will try to stay perfect when they visit Mapletown on Tuesday.
