Nolan Free of Sheboygan North led the state in scoring this season at 26 points per game.

Justyn Galloway didn’t come close to threatening that mark, but the talented Reuther senior guard could have if he had concentrated solely on putting the ball in the basket.

One thing stood in his way, though.

Galloway is infatuated with assists.

He got just as much pleasure watching teammates like Marcus Ratliff, Nick Daniel and Densel Smith score.

Incredibly unselfish with the ball in his hands, the Bradford transfer averaged almost nine assists per game. That may have led the state, but unlike scoring, no official statewide assist statistics are kept.

“People thought I was going to go to Reuther and just score a lot of points,” Galloway said. “I love to pass the ball. That’s my main thing. If anybody watches my game, that’s what I love to do most. That excites me more than (making) threes.”

In helping the Bulldogs to a 19-3 record — the best record in the 12-year history of the program — Galloway highlights the 45th annual Kenosha News All-County Boys Basketball Team. He is only the second Reuther player to receive first-team honors. Darrell King was also honored in 2007.

Nearly unstoppable on drives to the basket, Galloway collected four triple-doubles and was “close in several other games,” according to Reuther coach Steve Plato.

“He loved making the extra pass — that great assist,” Plato said. “The assist was much more important to him than scoring a bucket. That showed throughout the year.”

As a sophomore, Galloway started at Bradford and helped the Red Devils reach the WIAA Division-1 sectional for the first time in almost 20 years. Averaging a team-best 11.1 points as a junior, he was an academic casualty and missed the final six games.

After moving three different times in less than a year, he ended up at Reuther and was welcomed with open arms by Plato and the rest of the Bulldogs.

“We had a nice connection,” Galloway said about his relationship with his head coach. “He promised me that I’d have fun. That’s why I play the game — just to have fun. I’m not trying to look at it like a job or anything.”

Shortly after losing to eventual WIAA Division-3 State champion Racine St. Catherine’s in the regional semifinal, Galloway thanked Plato for keeping his promise.

“It was a lot of fun,’ ” Galloway said. “I wouldn’t change it for anything. I’d recommend Reuther.”

On track to graduate and hopeful to play at the collegiate level, Galloway is a potential success story.

“Justyn is a great ambassador, not only for our program, but for our school,” Plato said.