BeeGraphix, Gallagher impress in league debut

By Jose Negron

jnegron@yourmvi.com

Heading into last week’s Mon Valley Independent Summer Basketball League boys draft, Rodney Gallagher III and Brayden Reynolds were highly touted as two of the top players available. 

They proved why Tuesday night. 

The duo combined to score 43 points in leading BeeGraphix to a convincing 83-38 victory over Elite Physical Therapy at Marx’s Court Time Sports Center in Elizabeth Township. 

Gallagher III, this year’s No. 1 overall draft pick, scored a game-high 25 points. The Laurel Highlands sophomore-to-be had 18 by halftime. Reynolds, a Chartiers Valley senior who was selected in the second round last week, had 17 of his 18 points in the second half of the victory. 

“I think it’s evident watching them, and no knock against any kid participating, but I think I have the best two players in the entire league,” said BeeGraphix head coach Tim Tyree. “These are going to be two of the top guards in the WPIAL next year, so to have them in this setting and allow them to play freely, I think it’s really going to be a fun summer for us.” 

While Gallagher and Reynolds led the charge, they were among four BeeGraphix (1-0) players to finish in double figures. 

Bishop Canevin’s Trey Champine scored 12 points, while Belle Vernon Area’s Quinton Martin finished with 11. Martin was selected in the third round of the draft. Champine was Tyree’s fourth round pick. 

“I was very pleased in our group’s overall effort and the continuity that was out there for not having played together,” Tyree said. “Things started a little slow with them feeling each other out, but when you have two talented guards like Reynolds and Gallagher, it makes things easier for a lot of the other players.”