Senior Week- Sabrina's Look

Senior Night this week vs. UTHS on Thursday. Time goes by pretty fast. We have a great group of six senior players and two senior managers. They have represented their school and community so well. I asked the underclassmen to talk about the seniors…

This is from Sabrina.

Who is a senior you really did not know going into the season but have really got to know them this season?

Going into the season I really didn't know Dani Teel but now I have really gotten to know her this season. 

Senior Week- Chloe Anderson

Senior Night this week vs. UTHS on Thursday. Time goes by pretty fast. We have a great group of six senior players and two senior managers. They have represented their school and community so well. I asked each of them to reflect on their basketball careers. As I receive their replies, I will post them.

This is from Chloe Anderson.

When you were younger, was there a male or female player you watched who inspired you? What was it about them or their game that drew your attention?

            My mom always used to play basketball with me and coach my YMCA basketball teams. She really inspired me because she used to play and it was something we could have fun doing together. All my brothers and I used to play pig and around the world in the driveway so I wanted to play to be with my brothers too. Lastly, watching my two older cousins, Claire and Lia, play Girls' Varsity Basketball for the Streaks really inspired me to further pursue playing basketball.

Senior Week- Dani Teel

Senior Night this week vs. UTHS on Thursday. Time goes by pretty fast. We have a great group of six senior players and two senior managers. They have represented their school and community so well. I asked each of them to reflect on their basketball careers. As I receive their replies, I will post them.

This is from Dani Teel.

 When you were younger, was there a male or female player you watched who inspired you? What was it about them or their game that drew your attention?

When I was younger, I always watched Illinois basketball (obviously) and for some reason I just loved Corey Bradfort.

Senior Week- Lexi's Look

Senior Night this week vs. UTHS on Thursday. Time goes by pretty fast. We have a great group of six senior players and two senior managers. They have represented their school and community so well. I asked the underclassmen to talk about the seniors…

This is from Lexi.

Who is a senior you really did not know going into the season but have really got to know them this season?

I didn't really know Sharron.

Senior Week- Allison Mangieri

Senior Night this week vs. UTHS on Thursday. Time goes by pretty fast. We have a great group of six senior players and two senior managers. They have represented their school and community so well. I asked each of them to reflect on their basketball careers. As I receive their replies, I will post them.

This is from Allison Mangieri.

When you were younger, was there a male or female player you watched who inspired you? What was it about them or their game that drew your attention?

When I was younger, I looked up to Libby White. For some reason, I was obsessed with her haha.  She gave me her number at one of the camps and told me to call her if I wanted to go shoot around at the YMCA with her.  I was always too scared to call her because I didn't want to embarrass myself!

Senior Week- Jessica Lieber

Senior Night this week vs. UTHS on Thursday. Time goes by pretty fast. We have a great group of six senior players and two senior managers. They have represented their school and community so well. I asked each of them to reflect on their basketball careers. As I receive their replies, I will post them.

This is from Jessica Lieber.

When you were younger, was there a male or female player you watched who inspired you? What was it about them or their game that drew your attention?

A basketball player I always looked up to was Deron Williams! I learned a lot of things from watching him on tv and mostly in person! The way he handled the ball and was a leader to his team really inspired me!

Kansas Weekend

Not often have a break in the middle of basketball season. But after two weekends in a row with 2 games on Saturdays, our schedule gave the girls and the coaches the weekend to freshen up for the stretch run. When I saw this coming over a month ago, I made some calls. Everything worked out and we were headed to KU.

So Friday evening, my brother Mark, Allen, and myself headed to Lawrence Kansas. We picked up nephew Evan in Osceola, Iowa. From there we headed down to KU. The total trip took us about 6 1/2 hours. We arrived in Lawrence at 1:45am. After a short rest, we were up and headed to the University Bookstore on campus. I cannot say how much we spent for fear my wife will find out. Let's just say we were good customers.

You Make the Call

Several weeks ago, we had a game where the following happened....

1- The ball went out of bounds off of a Moline player. The ref signalled it was Galesburg's ball.

2- Galesburg was subbing five players so there was confusion or at least a pause in the action.

Big Brother Retiring

My brother Mark who has taught and coached in Clinton for 39 years turned in his letter to retire. Our family is certainly proud of him. He has been a good big brother. He has done a good job giving me confidence when I needed it and criticism when called for.

He supported me when I was an athlete, and we have counseled each other during our teaching and coaching careers. There has been a lot of time spent on the phone.

I would like to say I have enjoyed watching his successful volleyball teams play- but the sport makes me too nervous. Good things and bad things seem like they happen too quickly in volleyball. And I don't like watching and wanting the River Queens to win but not having any control. It is a stroke waiting to happen.

Congrats on a good teaching career!! We are all proud of you!

The following is from Mark's facebook page....

Mark Massey

Yesterday via mobile

This statement has been released in conjunction with my acceptance of district's early retirement pckg. "I have tremendously enjoyed my 39yrs teaching & coaching in the Clinton School District & I hope to be able to continue to serve the community and the school district in a variety of capacities. As AJ Hanafan might have said, “I'll always be a wildcat and a River King.” 

Both of my children are CHS grads. I've worked with many wonderful families, assistant coaches & administrators. The students/athletes I've had a chance to work with have been & are fantastic. I’ve always been appreciative of the confidence that Bill Holmstrom showed in me, way back in June, 1978. I think that we've built a solid program that the community & school can be proud of since then. “Do I plan on coaching in the future?” …. “I think I still may have quite a bit of coaching in me.”

Thiel Gym- Lots of Memories

Even Willow likes Thiel Gym.

Thiel Gym has provided a lot of memories for many people in Galesburg. Galesburg over Richwoods in boys bb in 1976. Galesburg over PND in girls bb for the Sectional title in 1995. The list of great games could go on. If you asked a sports fan in Galesburg, they could all name different games with exciting memories.

I have been to many games in Thiel Gym. I am not sure but I am guessing I have spent more time watching practices and games in Thiel Gym than anyone. And I am not sure that is really something the average person would be impressed with. The reality is that Thiel Gym has given me a lot of memories besides just the games and practices.

Massey Coaching College

Brother Mark when he coached Mt.St. Clair in the 1970's. In this picture 
complete with leisure suit. He definitely took a relaxed approach to things. 
I remember the games I attended, he always had a bag of popcorn on the 
bench. They travelled to away games by vans and cars. And yes, being a '60's 
guy, Mark had a volkswagen van to take the majority of the team on the road. 

Which do you like best?

Bench celebration- Sectional 2011

Crowd reacts to 3- Sectional 2011

Buzzer beater- Dunlap 2011

Celebrate Regional title- Regional 2012

Which of the following do you think is the best photo?

Will a College Find You?

Everyone wants options. When we pick out a new car, we want options. When we go out to eat, we like to have more than one thing on the menu.

For my high school students, I try to talk to them a lot about they need to be creating options. My intent is they work hard as a student, take demanding classes- so when they get ready for college they have options. They can choose a college and not be as limited.

The same is true for high school athletes. Some of them want to continue to play in college. If they have  a good work ethic and develop their skills- they can have an opportunity to continue playing whether at a junior college, D3, D2, or D1 level.