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Saturday, December 31, 2011

Charleston Tourney Recap

Wed, Dec 28
8:45am- Arrive Thiel Gym- pack the cars.
- Rainee, Allison, Casey, Marisa, Becca, Dani super excited, they get to be in my van!!!
- Jennifer Lieber takes "Secret Santa" presents and coolers to save us room.

9:00am- We pull out with Coach Rux the lead car, not sure that is good judgement on my part.

9:02am- My van vetoes listening to the WSCR sports radio, I thought I was in charge.

Pictures from Charleston Tourney


Thursday, December 29, 2011

Effingham vs. Galesburg 1968

In 1968 Galesburg defeated #1 rated and undefeated Effingham in the Elite 8 game at the Assembly Hall.

In scouting for Effingham, John Thiel had the luxury of flying to Effingham to scout. Chauncy Kenney (a physics teacher at GHS & my cousin), had a pilots license and flew Thiel after practice to Effingham to scout.

Streaks with Good Win Over Effingham

We jumped out to a 10 point lead in the early second quarter, only to see Effingham take a lead in the late second quarter. We went up 40-37 at half. The first half was a foul fest by both teams. Effingham went to the line just under 20 times in the first half.

In the second half, we cut back on fouls and gradually opened up the lead. Jessica Lieber had 28 points and Sharron Diggins finished with 19. We were able to go into a delay and then hang on for the win.

We will play Charleston in the championship game on Friday at 7:00pm.

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Saturday, December 24, 2011

Winning Cultures


This past week I had a conversation with a coaching friend who took over a basketball program. The coach is very experienced and has been very successful.

He described his first year at his new school. Initially parents greeted him with how excited their sons were because they were really hungry to win. The parents pointed out how bad the last coach had been- the message being that past failures were certainly not their kids fault, the old coach had screwed things up.

The players told the coach how anxious they were to work and get after things. They told the coach that old coach did not push them hard enough. Again the message- we are willing to do whatever we can to win, the old coach screwed things up.

Friday, December 23, 2011

Jay Hatch- WB6 Coaching

We were fortunate to beat Alleman on Thursday night. Coach Hatch’s teams are always well prepared and know exactly what we are going to do. Last week, Jay coached the 400th win at Alleman.

In girls basketball in the WB6, in the last 30 years, the average tenure for a coach has been about 4.5 years. Jay has surpassed that by some margin- Coach Hatch is in his 19th season at Alleman. In the time I have been coaching, he has the longest service of any girls basketball WB6 coach.


Jay Hatch                           Alleman                  19 years*
Rod Leatherman               Rock Island            15 years
Steve Ford                         Moline                  13 years*
Steve Ebner                       Alleman                11 years
Ed Swaggard                     Rock Island          11 years
·              *    Still coaching.
·      No one else has coached over 10 years.

Megan Young- What's College Like?


Megan Young is a freshman at Augustana College. As you might anticipate, Megan seems to enjoy college!

What have you enjoyed most about college?
I love being able to choose my own classes and plan out my day. Also,
since I live by my friends college is pretty much a never ending
sleepover.

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Thursday Night- Thiel Gym

Thursday we host Alleman at Thiel Gym. Sophs tip off at 5:30pm and Varsity at 7:00pm. 


Alleman comes into Galesburg leading the WB6. Come out and support the Streaks!!

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Chicago Bulls- Work Ethic

Off days were somewhat misnamed last season for the Bulls.

While most teams used the day after back-to-back games or one of two straight off days as a break from the practice floor, invariably players would turn those days into a beehive of activity at the Berto Center. Beyond just coming in for treatment, they'd get shots up. They'd watch film. They'd look for ways to improve.

Jessica Howard- What's College Like?

Jessica Howard is attending Monmouth College and playing basketball. She has been playing about 10-15 minutes per game. She has a high of 15 points in a game, and is coming off a 2 for 2 three point shooting game at Ripon.

So Jessica, what is college like?

What have you enjoyed most about college?
The freedom. It's nice being able to hang out with friends without needing permission from my parents and not having a curfew. 

Monday, December 19, 2011

Special Guest at Practice

It is always nice to have people come to watch practice. We had a special guest stop by on Monday in Wicall Gym. Guesses?

Sunday, December 18, 2011

Mickey Rodriguez- What's College Like?


Mickey Rodriguez is a freshman at Knox College in Galesburg. She is a classic example of a senior who kept her options open as far as college, and ended up going some place she had not planned to go. Mickey was not sure she wanted to take the “hometown option” but after visiting Knox and after seeing the financial aid package they gave her- Knox became her choice.

Selfishly, it is nice to be able to see Mickey often. When I took my Community Studies class on a tour of Knox for the history of Galesburg and Knox, Mickey saw us and joined the tour. She is a regular at men’s and women’s basketball games. She has a good job with the Admission’s Dept. She is not playing basketball but is obviously very, very busy.

I had a chance to ask Mickey questions about her first year.

Saturday, December 17, 2011

Our New OB

This is a play that we are saving to surprise Alleman with on Thursday.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=fvwp&v=b8LAvlmOUus

http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&feature=endscreen&v=4OGdkoeqG0Q

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhmZfbthzlI&feature=related

Fan Traditions- Videos

Taylor Silent Night
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbnZiPI6W2I

ttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csjydRx750k&feature=relmfu

Central Catholic HS- Parting of Red Sea
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IuBiGuNbLfo

College Basketball- Best Traditions

According to John Marshall of AP


Silent Night, Taylor University: The tiny NAIA school in central Indiana has held its "Silent Night" every Friday before finals for the past two decades. In one of the most unique traditions anywhere, the students remain silent until Taylor scores its 10th point, then erupt into a cheer as if the team had just won the national championship. Many of the students come dressed in costumes or pajamas and cram into every nook of little Odle Arena. When the game is over, they join arm-in-arm to sing the Christmas song "Silent Night," and many head off to Habecker's Holipalooza, a university-sponsored Christmas party that includes a reading of "A Christmas Story" by the university president. All that's missing is a Red Rider BB gun to make this perfect.

Friday, December 16, 2011

Tai Peachey- What's College Like?


Tai Peachey is now a freshmen at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais. She is also a member of the women’s basketball team. ONU plays in the NAIA division, and is probably the most high scoring women’s team in America. They are a “system” team and averaging 101 point per game. They have twice been over 120 point this year, and over 110 in five games. They are presently 10-3.

Tai has been able to get in all 13 games as a point guard. She is presently averaging 6.8 minutes per game which translates to about 8-10 shifts per game- pretty good for a freshmen. Tai is #3 on the team with 23 assists. She also has 13 offensive rebounds, 10 steals, and averages 2.8ppg.

I got to ask Tai some questions about her college experience.

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Streaks Win Vs. Conference Favorite

The Streaks moved to 8-2 on the season and 2-2 in the conference with a huge win vs. conference preseason favorite UT.

Galesburg jumped to a huge lead in the first half, only to have UT come back and take the lead in the second half. One would say it was a very "un-system like" game with Galesburg connecting on only 5 threes while only getting 21 attempts. UT did the same thing to us last year. The difference is that this year we did a much better job of attacking the basket.

While we didn't get the threes, we did force 30+ turnovers and got 50% of our missed shots as offensive rebounds.

Allison Mangieri came out hitting shots for us. Jessica Lieber hit a big three down the stretch. Rainee Sibley, Myra Diggins, Sharron Diggins, and Chloe Anderson applied tremendous pressure with our defense. And as usual, with game on the line, Sadee Hamilton made a huge three point play.

Argus Perspective on Streaks Win

By Marc Nesseler, nesseler@qconline.com
GALESBURG – It's not about having a Merry Christmas when it comes to ifs and buts for the United Township girls' basketball team. It's about having a better new year.

"We've got to start turning close losses into wins," said UT coach Justin Schiltz. "Our last three losses in the Western Big 6 have been by two, four and now two points."

The latest of that hard-luck string came Thursday night at John Thiel Gymnasium, with the Panthers falling 65-63 to the Galesburg Silver Streaks.

Congratulations to Coach Hatch

The Alleman girls beat Quincy on Thursday night. It was the 400th time that a Jay Hatch coached team has won a game in his twenty years of coaching. Twenty years of coaching is an accomplishment in its self- and adding 400 wins is very impressive.

The first time I met Jay was in Mike Tracey's basement after a boys basketball game. Jay was a young assistant coach at Alleman, and Mike was the AD. That is well over 20 years ago. Wow. 

Jay's teams have always been very well prepared. And he is very much responsible for me deciding to go to the "system." I honestly got tired of us calling out a play and his kids would then show our kids where they were supposed to cut on the play. I have trouble remembering the name of the kid in the third row in my class and he can tell you the difference between when we call 4up and 4down, and then of course with all of the other teams in the conference. 

Congratulations Jay. I am especially happy you won your 400th tonight because if you had waited to win it next week at Galesburg, I would not have been very happy for you!!

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Need Inspiration- Watch This

This is a video from CBS news on Dustin Carter, a high school wrestler who starts out 5-15 as a freshmen. Then he goes on to win 40 matches and go to State as a senior. That probably sounds impressive- but you have no idea until you watch the tape.

Monday, December 12, 2011

Jay Bilas- Toughness

With recent events of Xavier and Cincinnati, it is worth rereading Jay Bilas' essay on "toughness." All serious players at any level should read this. 


“Toughness” – Jay Bilas – ESPN .com

I have heard the word "toughness" thrown around a lot lately. Reporters on television, radio and in print have opined about a team or player's "toughness" or quoted a coach talking about his team having to be "tougher" to win.

Then, in almost coordinated fashion, I would watch games and see player upon player thumping his chest after a routine play, angrily taunting an opponent after a blocked shot, getting into a shouting match with an opposing player, or squaring up nose-to-nose as if a fight might ensue. I see players jawing at each other, trying to "intimidate" other players. What a waste of time. That is nothing more than fake toughness, and it has no real value.

Sunday, December 11, 2011

Another National Record for Streaks?

Last year the Streaks set a national record by hitting 397 threes during the season. As impressive as that was, this year's version of the Streaks is much more of a defensive oriented team. As we hit the 1/3 mark of the season, it appears the Streaks are headed for setting another national record- on the defense side this year.

Defense is something that requires lots of hard work and repetition. And to be successful on defense, you have to study game tape over and over. All of this hard work is really paying off.

Streaks Over Normal W

4 juniors who had big games for us at West.
We played well in our win over Normal West. Our pressure defense was probably the best it has been all year. We forced an incredible 45 turnovers with Jessica Lieber and Sharron Diggins leading us with 6 steals. In addition, we got 57% of our missed shots back as offensive rebounds with Myra Diggins leading the way with 6, and Chloe Anderson and Jessica Lieber each having 4 steals. These totals allowed us to get 27 more shot attempts than West.

In particular our guards of Allison Mangieri, Dani Teel, Rainee Sibley, Sharron Diggins all were great up front in our press.

Thursday, December 8, 2011

Loss At Rocky

Rocky's aggressive, physical defense dominated us in the first 4 minutes of the game. We came back to make it close by the end of the first quarter. We were down 5 with 10 seconds to go in the half, and we were shooting a free throw. Ten seconds later we went into the lockeroom down 10, we allowed 5 points in the last 10 seconds.

Fortunately we had a good second half. We came back to tie the game early in the fourth quarter. We went down again, only to battle back to a 63-60 deficit. We did not score from that point to lose 69-60.

Monday, December 5, 2011

Ralph Gallo & Ron Carrothers

Ralph Gallo has been a basketball coach at Richwoods for over 30 years. He works hard and is loyal to his school and to his head coaches. He has been an asset to his school and has been respected by his peers in coaching. Too often we hear about the negative stories about coaches, or stories involving big ego with coaches- this story by Jane Miller about Ralph is one that is must reading. Bottom line, Ralph is a quality person!

Sunday, December 4, 2011

Sadee Hamilton's Big Game

We did not have our usual "stat people" for the road game so we had to wait to do official stats off the game tape. We knew Sadee had a big game, the question was how big?

Sadee Hamilton's stats vs. Quincy
Points-   9
Offensive Rebounds-  5
Defensive Rebounds-  15  (GHS record)
Total Rebounds-   20
Assists-  4
Steals-  12
Blocks-  6

Tom Loewy- Great Listener


Tom Loewy wrote sports for the Register-Mail when he first came to Galesburg. I didn’t know what to think of him, he was from Peoria. But I realized maybe he could become the opposite of Jane Miller- someone who started in Peoria and finished in Galesburg.

From perspective, Tom is good at what he does because he is a great listener. Some writers have in mind what the story is supposed to be- so they keep asking forms of the same question over and over until they succeed in getting the exact sound bite they want. Often with both players and with coaches after a game, Tom would start by saying one of two things,

A-    “What do you think happened tonight?”
B-    “I don’t know a lot about basketball, but it seems like _______ happened, is that accurate?”

And as a coach, you always had a sense that he just wanted to listen. And after he listened to your answer, there would be a pause, and he would then ask a question that probed your answer. It was obvious he really wanted to make sure he understood the game from your perspective.  It didn’t mean when he was done that he agreed with my analysis, but he understood. In all of the year’s Tom covered girls basketball, he never once misquoted me. Sometimes he might clean up the grammar, and actually made me sound more intelligent- but the bottom line was that I always felt he quoted me accurately.

Saturday, December 3, 2011

Alan Stein- "Play Present"

Great camp presentation that talks about mental aspect of being a great athlete. Must viewing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWNRgSp9cqk

Alan Stein- 20 Questions

Alan Stein presents 20 questions for head coaches, that also are coaches for assistant coaches and for players to consider.


30. November 2011 02:18
Our first official practice at DeMatha was on November 8th.  This past Monday was our final scrimmage (we had 4 pre-season scrimmages). This Saturday (December 3rd) is our first game. Overall, our guys having been giving a great effort, have been competing hard, and have been slowly improving their communication.

This season we are seeking our 4th straight WCAC Conference Championship and DC City Title and are ranked #13 in the nation by ESPN. Coach Jones just recently held individual meetings with every player on our team (with their parents present) to clearly define their role and discuss their strengths, weaknesses, and expectations.

Friday, December 2, 2011

IBCA Hall of Fame Inductees- Galesburg Flavor

Three people with connections to Galesburg will be inducted into the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame this spring. Tiffany Sibley (1992 GHS grad), Joe Thompson (Galesburg ref), and Jane Miller (GHS grad who writes for the Journal-Star). All three are very deserving of the honor.

Streaks Come From Behind At Quincy

Quincy jumped out to an early lead, then built a 9 point half time lead 34-25. Quincy is much improved, and played a tough defense. The Streaks came back with a great 3rd quarter, and then held on in the fourth quarter. Despite only making 7 three point shots, we were able to find a consistent offense in the second half.

Our pressure was outstanding in the second half. Rainee Sibley and Sharron Diggins forced 2 five second violations in the second half. Sharron and Jessica Lieber combined for 4 steals in the press that resulted in quick layups off the steals.