Your Prep Sports

IOWA CITY – Regina boys basketball coach Jared Galpin wasn’t very impressed with his team’s defensive effort in the season opener against Tipton.

But what he saw during Friday's 67-32 dismantling of Wilton was more to his liking.

The Beavers only made 13-of-46 field-goal attempts and were held to just two points in the first quarter, which ended with Regina leading 13-2.

“It was a focus this week,” Galpin said of defense. “Against Tipton, we didn’t defend in our man-to-man the way we need to. So we spent time watching film and breaking that down and really put an emphasis.

“We always emphasize defense, but the guys need to see the rotations in the man-to-man, the help and the help the helper. So we put an emphasis on it and I saw a positive step. We’re not where we need to be, but made a positive step forward.”

Senior center Luke Stein led three Regina players in double figures with 16 points, including 14 in the second half.

Stein is being asked to play a more significant role on both offense and defense with 6-foot-9 all-state junior center Even Brauns having transferred to West High.

“He’s got to step up and play a big role,” Galpin said of Stein. “Luke is versatile. He plays inside and out. So what I was really pleased with is the fact that he took the ball strong to the hole and finished at the rim.

“And what I rally liked team wise is that it seemed like late in the third quarter and in fourth quarter we were a little more patient in moving the ball and we got easy inside shots.”

The victory was Regina’s 11th in a row over Wilton and it improved Regina’s record to 2-0 on the young season. The Regals edged Tipton 64-62 in the season opener on Tuesday.

So from a defensive standpoint, Regina improved by 30 points with Friday’s performance.

Senior guard Bryce Barnett scored 14 points and used his quicknes and length on defense to disrupt the Wilton offense.

Junior guard Mason Miller also chipped in with 13 points and made three 3-point baskets.

Wilton     2   11  6   13  –  32

Regina   13 19 13  22  –  67

Wilton (32) – Garrett Bohnsack 0-2 0-0 0, Chase Miller 1-8 0-0 2, Brock hartly 1-7 1-4 4, Jared Townsend 5-13 2-3 10, Ashton Stoelk 4-10 1-5 9, Ronen Santiago 1-2 1-2 3, Isaac hunter 0-3 0- 0, Charles Martin 0-0 0-0 0, A.J. Bosten 1-1 0-0 2. Totals 13-46 5-14 32.

Regina (67) – Ashton Cook 3-7 1-6 7, Masen Miller 5-16 0-1 13, Bryce Barnett 6-11 2-5 14, Scott Arendt  4-7 1-2 9, Luke Stein 5-9 3-3 16, Patrick Clark 1-2 0-0 2, Alec Wick 1-5 0-0 3, Josh Dutchik 0-3 0-0 3, Joey Molony 0-0 0-0 0, Danny Molony 1-3 0-0 3, Benjamin Banta 0-0 0-0 0, Casey Daniel 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 26-62 6-15 67.

3-point field goals – Wilton 1 (Hartley); Regina 6 (Masen Miller 3, Stein, Wick, Danny Molony). Fouls – Wilton 12, Regina 12.