JOHNSTOWN —
It was a big night for Luke Gallaher on Wednesday.
Not only did the senior guard establish the Forest Hills all-time scoring mark with 24 points against rival Greater Johnstown, but the host Rangers held on for a 67-62 overtime win against the previously unbeaten Trojans.
“It was definitely bigger to get the win because it wasn’t just about me, it was about the team,” Gallaher said. “It means a lot to get the win because now there are no undefeated teams in the Laurel Highlands anymore. It means a lot for me set the school record, but I couldn’t have done it without people passing me the ball and getting layups and shots. This ranks right up there with the state championship (in high jump in 2010).”
Forest Hills coach Lance McGough said Gallaher was the best player that he has seen.
“It wasn’t for me, he’d probably have 2,000 points already because I don’t run many sets for him,” McGough said. “A lot of his things are created by himself within our offense. You can’t ask for a kid to give you more.”
Rangers’ teammate Tanner Thomas added 20 points and eight rebounds while Cody Moss had eight points, all in the second half. For the Trojans (10-1, 7-1 LHAC), Quentin Brandon scored 18 points while Alkwan Williams had 15 and Dwight Andrews, 14. Isaiah Haselrig added 10 rebounds in limited play before fouling out with 1:27 left in regulation.
“I thought Haselrig fouling out of the game was huge,” McGough said. “He’s a good player for them, and that gave us some momentum. Tanner stepped up, and our kids hit their foul shots down the stretch. Every loose ball, our kids were diving for it and were on the ground a lot.”
Gallaher, who came into the game needing 15 points to equal the 1,599 points of Dave Richardson set in 1985, surpassed the mark with a pair of free throws with 3.4 seconds left before the half. The Rangers (10-3, 7-1) trailed by 26-25 at the intermission.
The Johnstown defense held Gallaher scoreless in the third quarter, but his teammates picked up the slack. Moss and Neil Wysocki each hit 3-pointers, while Kody Johnson scored four of his five points, Thomas scored three baskets and Bill Scott added a putback as the Rangers outscored the Trojans 20-12 in the frame to take a 45-38 lead.
Brandon helped bring Johns-town back with 11 of his points in the fourth quarter. The Trojans led 60-58, with 23.4 seconds left, but Thomas evened the game with 11.3 on the clock and Johnstown could not get another shot off, setting up the overtime.
Forest Hills never trailed in the overtime, scoring first on a Thomas basket. Calvin Anderson tied it at 62 with 2:39 left, but the Rangers scored the final five points on another Thomas basket and one by Gallaher along with one of two free throws by Moss.
“We didn’t play real crisp and had a lot of fundamental issues,” Johnstown coach Neil Cobaugh said. “Turnovers and offensive rebounds killed us tonight. They did a nice job defensively on us and got us out of rhythm.”
The Rangers led 16-12 after the first quarter, but Johnstown outscored the hosts 14-9 in the second to take the lead before halftime.
Sports
Related Photos
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Forest Hills’ Luke Gallaher (right) shoots over Greater Johnstown’s Isaiah Haselrig on Wednesday in Sidman. The Rangers won 67-62 in overtime. Dave Lloyd
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Greater Johnstown’s Alkwan Williams (left) shoots over Forest Hills’ Tanner Thomas on Wednesday. Dave Lloyd
Discussion
Forest Hills’ Gallaher breaks school record in win over Johnstown
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