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Monday, January 31, 2011

Dorothy Dralle


Dorothy Dralle was one of the most thoughtful people I have ever met. She possessed so many wonderful qualities, it is hard to know where to begin in describing her personality. She simply made everyone’s day better. It was sad to hear of the passing of Dorothy Dralle on Sunday.

 When I started as a coach and teacher at Galesburg High School, Dorothy was the secretary for George Lundeen, the Athletic Director. She was stuffed into a tiny little room not much bigger than a closet, along with 2-3 file cabinets. I quickly learned that she was more than the athletic secretary. She was really a combination of administrator and counselor.

Sunday, January 30, 2011

Work Habits

"The harder you work, the harder it is to surrender."
- Vince Lombardi

"One of life's most painful moments comes when we must admit that we didn't do our homework, we are not prepared."
- Merlin Olson

"You will never know how a horse will pull until you hook him to a heavy load."
- Bear Bryant

Paul Westhead Clinic Notes

The following are clinic notes from Paul Westhead in the early '90's---


Billy Packer was talking about time outs. We never call time outs. We don’t have anything to say. Deeper than that, if a team is scoring on us, the worst thing for us to do is to call timeout because we need the clock running to do our thing. Dead time hurts us. So, we never,  never call timeout.

"Prayer Answered"

http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/blog/the_dagger/post/Manhattan-picks-up-rare-win-on-55-foot-prayer-as?urn=ncaab-314371

Three Point Records

Illinois- Most 3- Point Field Goals Made, Game
1.            22            Galesburg vs. Bloomington   Jan. 29, 2011
2.            21            Galesburg vs. Paris                 Dec. 28, 2010
               21            Galesburg vs. Rantoul            Dec. 28, 2010
               21            Galesburg vs. Quincy              Jan. 13, 2011
5.            20            Galesburg vs. Bloomington    Jan. 30, 2010
   20            Mason City vs. Mt. Pulaski               2001-2
               20            Herscher vs. Plano                     Dec. 5, 2007

Steve Peachey- Enthusiasm!!!


Years ago, I was looking for an assistant coach for girls basketball. Bill Allison had told me to talk to Peachey (he does not like it when I call him Steve). I really didn’t think he would be interested. As we talked, and it became apparent he was indeed interested, I was very excited about the possibility. The two characteristics that stood out for me were his unbridled enthusiasm and the strong values he brought as a role model.

Saturday, January 29, 2011

New State Record- 22 Threes

Galesburg jumped to 24-10 quarter lead on the way to a 55-18 half-time lead.

We hit 22 threes in our win over Bloomington today. The final was 88-47. All fifteen players played, as a result the most anyone played was 13 minutes. Jessica Howard hit 7 threes despite only clocking 13 minutes and not playing in the fourth quarter.

Friday, January 28, 2011

Seeds of Our Opponents

What kind of seeds did the teams we played this year get in their Regional/Sectional complexes? I made a quick look on the IHSA website, and I accounted for 28 of our 30 scheduled games. We will end up playing the following:

14 games vs. #1 Seeds
6 games vs. #2 Seeds
4 games vs. #3 Seeds
2 games vs. #4 Seeds
1 games vs. #5 Seeds
1 games vs. #6 Seeds

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Fans We Need You!!!

I really appreciate the fans support we got tonight. We had a good crowd and a vocal crowd. But for a Thursday night with our team battling for conference title, it was not a "Galesburg crowd." I know I am biased about our girls, but I really, really wish people would start jumping on the bandwagon. We need to have our crowds from the old days for these games--

Chloe Anderson- Just Plays Hard


Chloe Anderson has always been involved in sports. It is tiring to think about all of the things she has done as a youth. Her ability to do a lot of different sports growing up is a tribute to athletic ability and also to her drive. Fortunately for us, she chose to continue in basketball at the high school.

Streaks Win Close One

Galesburg defeated UT tonight 61-58. It was a game where we got down early and then fought back to take a 30-23 lead at half. In the second half we opened up a 12 point lead but hung on to win by 3.

Jamie Johnson and Sadee Hamilton came up REALLY big tonight. They combined for 27 points (Jamie 19) and 22 rebounds (Sadee 12).

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Life Lesson

From "The Wisdom of Wooden"--

Dad said,"Son, don't ever think you're better than somebody else, but never forget you're just as good as anybody. No better, but just as good." That is how he taught me about equality. Blacks, whites, men, women- everybody equal. He was pretty advanced.

Overachievers?

"There is no such thing as an overachiever. We are all underachievers to varying degrees."
- John Wooden

Chris Young- GHS Grad Turned Parent


I am branching out a little. I thought it would be interesting to get the perspective of someone who was a GHS student and now has a GHS student-athlete. Knowing how willing Megan Young is to express her opinions, I thought Megan's mother Chris would be a good candidate.

John Thiel was finishing his last year as coach when I student taught at GHS in 1973. The three strongest, most demanding coaches/teachers at GHS at that time were John Thiel (the basketball coach), Sally Rynott (band director), and Bev Rosine (cheerleading coach). All three of them ran a tight ship and demanded excellence. 

Chris Young was a basketball cheerleader (long after 1973) for Bev Rosine. Her perspective on her experiences at GHS, changes in GHS thru the years, and dealing with an athletic daughter are enjoyable to read. 

Monday, January 24, 2011

Enthusiasm

"None are so old as those who have outlived enthusiasm."
- Henry David Thoreau

"If you are not fired with enthusiasm, you'll be fired with enthusiasm."
- Vince Lombardi

"You are either green and growing, or ripe and rotting."
- Frosty Westering

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Work Habits

"You can't make a great play unless you do it first in practice."
- Chuck Noll

"To be satisfied with yourself is a sure sign that all forward motion is about to stop."
- Unknown

"I can't believe that God put us on this earth to be ordinary."
- Lou Holtz

First Half Stats vs. Centennial

Score
Galesburg 55-36

Field Goal Attempts
Galesburg 42
Centennial  28

Total Offensive Possessions
Galesburg  55
Centennial  46

Rebounds
Galesburg  23
Centennial  11

Offensive Rebounds
Diggins  5

Needless to say, this may have been our best half of the year!

Three Point Records


Girls National Record- 3’s Made in Season
1.             394                        Stockton St.Mary’s, Ca.            2006-7
2.            365                        Galesburg                                    2009-10
               287                         Galesburg                          (25 games- 2010-11)

Girls National Record- 3’s Attempted in Season
1.             1382                        Galesburg                                    2009-10
2.            1116                         Galesburg                          (25 games-2010-11)

Saturday, January 22, 2011

Friday, January 21, 2011

Dispatch Article on Rocky Game

Rocky edges back into Big 6 girls lead

By Steve Tappa
Surveying the local girls' basketball landscape Thursday night, and looking ahead to the final frantic weeks of the best Western Big 6 Conference race in years, Rock Island coach Thad Hoover forwarded a history-making thought.

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Tough Night at Rocky

We lost 51-48 to Rock Island tonight. It is frustrating because it is the second game in a row in which an opponent has been able to dictate how the game is going to be played. We were only able to manage 22 points in the first half, and 30 points after the third quarter.

Molly Watson- She Took Galesburg by Storm

In 1997, Galesburg played Taylorville in the semi-finals at State. That session set an IHSA record for largest attendance. (It should be noted since going to four class system and the resulting lower attendance, the IHSA no longer releases attendance figures.) This game was a huge draw for several reasons. By teams were highly rated teams from one school communities with rich basketball tradition. Galesburg had been to State the year before, so there had been a build up of excitement. And both teams obviously were solid with lots of good players. But the added factor was Molly Watson (Molly Fordyce today).  

Another Team Dinner

Coach Allison along with Chef leJoyce hosted the girls Wednesday night.

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Editorial- Jay Redfern

RM Photo

Editorial: Streaks basketball teams deserve your support

Don’t look now, but Galesburg Silver Streaks basketball is riding high. And with the boys and girls programs enjoying great success so far this season, you can say that twice.

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Retired Coach- What Do You Miss?

I asked Dan Sullivan, this is your first year as a retired basketball coach. What has been good about that and what is bad about that?
Things i don't miss bus rides, selfish players, losing, crappy practices...the feeling I had the day of a game especially after school til tip off.  I worried too much about stuff I think.  This season I've enjoyed not having that feeling.  I miss competing and winning so I guess you cant have one without the other...I've not once regretted my decision though. 

Read the whole QA in Dan Sullivan- Coach's Son

Sunday, January 16, 2011

Sadee Hamilton- Tough


Sadee Hamilton has been a two year regular for the varsity. Last year she played inside all the time. When Sara Baker graduated, I was not sure who could fill her spot of playing on the perimeter on offense but inside on the boards on defense. Coach Rux was the one who pointed out that Sadee had been a great passer for him as a freshman. And he was right!

Young Coaches & Critics


In real life Hoosiers, the coach was young.

I have found it wise not to read comments on the internet about our team, and for that matter I try to avoid reading articles about our team. It is not meant as anything negative toward the area reporters, I like most of them and when I have read their articles they are fair and accurate. I just don’t think in coaching you want to hear a lot of “voices” when you are trying to make decisions. My assistants provide the perspective I need and want, I don’t want in a game to have any hesitation because I am thinking about something a critic on the internet said.

Saturday, January 15, 2011

Massey Hired to Coach

Our family is in the process of going through old family pictures and items. I ran across the following letter to my father, W.F.Massey, dated July 28, 1928.

Mr.W.F.Massey
Barneveld, Wisconsin

Dear Mr. Massey,
I am recommending your election to the position of coach and science instructor to the board of education at a salary of $185 per month for 9 1/2 months. I shall not require a personal interview this time. Mr. Mino Flikkema, Secretary will send the contract for your signature. Hoping this is satisfactory and that we may have a pleasant and profitable school year. I am,
Yours respectfully,
E.E.Liljequist, Supt. of Schools, Fulton, Illinois

Neil Myer- #1 Spartan in America

I am not sure how Neil Myer graduated from high school. I had him in class and he got straight A’s, I encouraged him to relax a little more and get some B’s. He was probably involved in more outside activities than any other student. He worked for the radio station, did stats for the boys basketball team, played tennis, heavily involved in church youth group, plus like me- he watched about 20 hours of sports on TV each week. When I had him in sociology class, it was a dream come true for me. When we started class and I asked if anyone had any current events to contribute, Neil always had 2-3 sports stories to start class with. He was like my own personal ESPN update. If it was on a vote, he would have been my GHS academic hall of fame!

Friday, January 14, 2011

Tai Peachey- Already a Senior


Tai Peachey has been around the basketball program since she was little. Tai, her two brothers, and Allen used the gyms as their playground during our practices. Today when some of the former players ask who is on the team, when I mention Tai Peachey, they all have an alarming look that comes with realizing you are getting old.

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Streaks Tie State Record AGAIN

Streaks beat Quincy 90-45, and again tied the state record for threes in a game with 21 threes. Eight  different players hit threes tonight, including Myra Diggins who hit the 21st shot. We finished with 21 for 59 from threes for 36%. Tonights three parade was Jessica Howard (8), Jessica Lieber (5), Mickey Rodriguez (3), Megan Young (2), Jamie Johnson (1),  Myra Diggins (1), and Sharron Diggins (1).

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Jane Miller- Ratings & Blogs

Jane Miller in Thursday edition mentions this blog. The PJS ratings for the area:

1- Richwoods 17-3
2- Galesburg 16-3
3- Morton  15-3
4- Central  11-6
5- Limestone  12-4 & ND  11-7

It is certainly flattering to be mentioned in same company with those teams. Those are some pretty good teams. It is exciting for us to go from not being mentioned at the beginning of the year to now be rated. The following is Jane Miller's story on this blog and more--

What Is State Record for Team Dinners?

Is it just me or does it seem like our varsity is always having team dinners? More power to them. We may not be the best team in Illinois but I think we can eat with the best of them. Tonight was at Megan Young's.
Waiting to eat.

Selfishness

What were the worst things about coaching? 
The worst thing about coaching is dealing with selfishness.  Selfish players, selfish parents anything that detracts from coming together and doing what you are suppose to as a team.
- excerpt from Q/A with Dan Sullivan. See entire interview for more! May be best interview I have had!!

What does he miss from coaching? What is the best part of coaching? What was game day like as a coach? Much more.....

Dan Sullivan- A Coach's Son

I would describe Dan Sullivan as a coach’s son, and as old school coach. I say both of those as total compliments. Because he was a coach’s son, he learned the game at an early age. I would have described him as a veteran coach when he was 25. And in saying he is old school, he quickly gets to the heart of things with his players and with other coaches. There are comments he makes in this Q&A about the coaching profession that REALLY get to the heart of the experience. If you want to understand the world of a coach, Dan Sullivan describes it as well as anyone I know.

All-Access with Pat Summitt

Jeff Janssen is a sports psychologists based in North Carolina. He has done work with UNC for decades. He publishes a public coaching website-
http://www.championshipcoachesnetwork.com/public/444.cfm

He also has a program where coaches can becomes members and receive more detailed studies and reports. It is always very interesting stuff. If you go to his website, there is sports-psych stuff of interest to players, coaches, parents, and fans. The following is article after spending four days with Coach Summitt:

Pat Summitt and the Lady Vols All-Access Pass
Jeff Janssen, Janssen Sports Leadership Center

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

"Bastardizing the Game of Basketball"


The Galesburg girls are off to a great start. Today I heard someone’s reaction to our success. They commented,  “It won’t keep working, it is a gimmick. It is bastardizing the game of basketball.”

When I first heard the term “bastardizing”, I was smart enough to know the person evidently had strong negative feelings. Before writing, I went to several religious internet sources to make sure if I wrote this I would not have problems later down the road- I am satisfied this is not the thing that will get me in trouble.

Monday, January 10, 2011

Confidence vs. Conceit

"There is a difference between conceit and confidence. A quarterback has to have confidence. Conceit is bragging about yourself. Confidence means you believe you can get the job done. I have always believed that I could get the job done."
- Johnny Unitas, Baltimore Colts

Put First Things First

"Things which matter the most must never be at the mercy of things which matter the least."
- Goethe

1- Determine your priorities.
2- Let your priorities determine your actions.
3- Make sure your actions show your priorities.

Sunday, January 9, 2011

Complacency- The Success Disease

Complacency is the last hurdle any winner, any team must overcome before attaining potential greatness. Complacency is the "Success Disease." It takes root when you're feeling good about who you are and what you've achieved.

Success & Failure

For some defeat motivates and makes them hungrier.
For some defeat discourages and makes them quit.
For some success wets their appetite and makes them hungrier.
For some success satisfies them and makes them content and lazy.
* Taken from 1995 Streaks Summer Notebook

Wii Competition

Boxing- Coach G, Sadee, Megan, Baylie, and Rainee smashed their competition.

Bowling- Jamie and Sharron tied for the championship.

Tennis- Jamie was the champ.

Auto Racing- The two Jessica's were the masters.

Jamie Johnson- Building Team Chemistry

When it comes to team chemistry, Jamie Johnson is our team leader. She sets an example for everyone- players and coaches- with her ability to interact and be interested in all of her teammates. When they are just hanging out before a game, she will interact with anyone. She is not only someone we all enjoy being around, she clearly expresses to her teammates that they are all important to her.

Three Point Records

Girls National Record- 3’s Made in Season
1.             394                        Stockton St.Mary’s, Ca.            2006-7
2.            365                        Galesburg                                    2009-10
                221                 Galesburg  (19 games- 2010-11)

Girls National Record- 3’s Attempted in Season
1.             1382                        Galesburg                                    2009-10
                  853                    Galesburg                          (19 games-2010-11)

Possession Analysis

The "System" focuses on five goals- 1) FGA, 2) Threes Att., 3) Offensive Rebound %, 4) Forced Turnovers, and 5) Shot Differential. Another way to analyze basketball with stats is a method that to the best of my knowledge was started by Dean Smith. He chose to analyze his team's offensive efficiency and defensive efficiency by looking at Total Possessions, and figuring what you did on those possessions.

Saturday, January 8, 2011

Team

"My whole life, my dream was to be part of something special. I never really had any interest in being a star. I just wanted to play on a great team."
- Bill Walton

Friday, January 7, 2011

Sharing

"Basketball is sharing."
- Phil Jackson

Teamwork

"They said you have to use your five best players, but I found you win with the five who fit together the best."
- Red Auerbach

Work Habits

"Before I got in the ring, I'd have already won or lost it on the road. The real part is won or lost somewhere far away from witnesses- behind the lines, in the gym and out there on the road, long before I dance under those lights."
- Muhammad Ali

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Poise on the Road

"If you get caught up in things over which you have no control, it will adversely affect those things over which you have control." 
- Advice to John Wooden from his father.

"I'd Run All Over the Place Too If...."

Quote of the night--


"What's tough about them," Harris said, "is that they are constantly all over the place." The Streaks substitute five players every one or two minutes. "I'd run all over the place too if I could rest every other minute," Harris added.

Fans Thank You

It was great to see all of the Galesburg fans at the game on Thursday night. It makes a difference. You have no idea how satisfying it is for coaches and players during warmups to look over at the Moline stands and then at the Galesburg stands, and see twice as many Galesburg fans at the game. This group deserves this support. Our fans have always made our girls feel special. The last few years we have lost our fans- some because we did not play as hard as people were used to us playing and some because people who were fair weather fans saw us losing.