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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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. 

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

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)

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).  

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.

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

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.

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!

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.

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).

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--

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.

"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.

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.

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.

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.

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

"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.

Trying To Increase Intensity Level

There are several different key components of the “System.” The obvious things are the 3 point shooting, subbing 5 for 5, subbing often, and pressing all over. But probably the most significant concept of the “System” is the quest to get players to play the game harder than they are used to playing. Quite simply the attempt is to change the mind set from that of a distance runner concerned about pace to the mind set of a sprinter who pins their ears back and just goes. 

Wharton Field House

Wharton Field House was built in 1928. It is one building where both my father and I coached basketball games. My father coached at Fulton High School in the 1930's. During that era, Fulton had some good small school teams so my father scheduled Moline. Back then a small school did not only have its hands full playing a school with about 10 times its enrollment, the small school had to adjust to the larger courts the big schools had.

Jay & Lori Hatch- Two Coaches in One House

Jay and Lori Hatch share an interesting basketball background. Both of them were successful as high school athletes and then as college athletes. Lori was an All-American player on a National Championship team, while playing for William Penn. Both then coached in the Quad Cities. Lori was a successful head coach at Bettendorf, Jay at Alleman.


So far you may be saying this is interesting but you can probably think of other former athletes who got married, or of coaches who are married. But there is more to the story-- both of them have coached teams to State Championships. Lori was an assistant coach when Bettendorf took second on three occasions, then she took over as head coach and they won the Iowa State Title. Jay has coached a State Champ in both girls basketball and in softball. Tell me you know some other couples who have both coached teams to a State Championship- wow!

Jay and Lori are married and now have two daughters. Jay still teaches and coaches at Alleman, Lori is not coaching now but teaching at Bettendorf.

Dennis Radabaugh Pictures

 These are pictures of Dennis Radabaugh in the 1960-61 basketball season for Savanna. Radabaugh led the state of Illinois in scoring that year. For more indepth look, read "When Adolf Rupp Came to Savanna."

Myra Diggins- Quietly(?) Intense

There are some players who impress people because they always play hard. Myra has always been one of those players. Because of injuries last year, she moved up and played big minutes on the varsity. She surprised everyone by how much energy she brought to the varsity. Her intensity is contagious. 

Developing Shot in Youth Players

A friend coaching a youth team was asked for some shooting ideas. They said their team was made up of 7-10 year olds who shot with two hands.

I always tell the younger kids that in camp when we do drills they have to work to do it correctly. In games, they do whatever works for them. In games it is not going to be enough of a habit that they will use correct technique. Things I have done with younger kids--

1995-6 "Pressure Basketball"

The following is taken from preseason handout to the Streaks team in 1995-6. I was taken back by how much it sounds like what we are trying to do. We may have been a lot more of a System team than we dreamed. This is what was given to the 1995-6 team before the start of the season:

More Pictures from Charleston

Brenna Saline- Definitely STUDENT-ATHLETE

People think that coaches/teachers are supposed to have an impact on the lives of athletes/students. But it also works the other way. Athletes/students can have a positive impact on coaches/teachers. For me, one of those athletes was Brenna Saline. She was one of the hardest workers we have had in girls basketball at Galesburg HS. No one outworked Brenna. 

When I look at back at some of the best and most enjoyable players I have gotten to coach, Brenna Saline would certainly be one of the players I would think about. She has a tremendous drive to succeed, and it is never just talk, she is willing to commit the time and effort to succeed. I am sure glad I got to coach Brenna.

Athletic Scholarships & Financial Aid

Buying a car is sometimes financially a tough decision. You may only buy a new car every 4-5 years so it is not something you are comfortable doing. You are spending a lot of money, and you are not sure if you are getting as good of a deal as if you went someplace else.

Even worse are the stories about the little old lady who has relied on her husband to buy the family car for decades, he dies, and now she has to figure out how to buy a new car. She may have bought a car for herself when she was 18 but has not done that for 50 years.

In many cases, when parents start into the process of helping their child figure out a college to go to, they are like the little old lady, they are doing something they have either never done, or have not done for 30 years.