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Monday, November 20, 2017

Mike Hellenthal- Looking Back at WB6

Mike Hellenthal started coaching at Quincy in the early 1970’s, and was there for the Leggett years. He then moved to Galesburg as Athletic Director in the late 1980’s. Today he is retired living in Quincy. He has seen a lot of WB6 boys’ basketball. It is fascinating to hear about his experiences.

Massey-  You had a rare opportunity to work for two legends in Sherrill Hanks and Jerry Leggett. I know in talking to you, you have tremendous respect for both of them. From your perspective, what made Hanks so successful?

Mike- Coach Hanks outworked and his preparation was second too none.  I was his main scout for several years and would see a team at least 3 times before we played them.  He left nothing to chance.

Massey- You caught the tailend of the Thiel, Hanks, Hawkins eras. From your conversations, what kind of relationship did those three have? What did they seem to have in common that made them successful and what made each unique?


Mike- All three were IBCA Hall of Fame.  Game time they were fierce competitors.  Off the court they were friends and socialized occasionally.  Attention to detail is what they shared in common.  Each of them ran their practices differently.  Coach Thiel was noted for sometimes going against his players in practice.  Coach Hanks was a former marine and his practices were very disciplined and organized.  Coach Hawkins was very good at utlilizing the talent he had.

Evan- You never want to follow the legend. Leggett didn't directly follow Hanks but he certainly did follow him. Was that tough for Leggett in the initial years?

Mike- Very much so the first couple of years.  In his first year we lost in the Regional Final at home.  It was really the 78-79 team that turned the corner for Coach Leggett.  They were 32-1 losing to Maine South in the Championship game after only having an hour and half rest after the Semi Final.  He did a masterful job with that team with his tallest player being 6'2.

Evan- One of the first years I was coaching girls, we went to play Quincy and Leggett was having practice. I remember they were doing 5 on 0 for what seemed like 30-40 minutes. It wasn't just "running plays", it was about execution. He was focused into all the little things- correcting footwork, getting into post up position. What are some examples you remember that illustrate how focused Leggett was on "the little things?"

Mike- Little things happened every day in practice. Emphasis was on passing, footwork and doing it right every time. We would not move on to the next drill unless it was perfectly executed.  Sometimes we got stuck on a drill for 30 minutes until we got it right.

Evan- Leggett seemed to have thought out every possible situation and knew what he wanted to do in every situation. I believe you were coaching in the state tourney when Quincy scored on the end of the game sideline ob. Take me through how you had practiced for that, the huddle before, and the play itself.

Mike- Early in our season we held tryouts to see who could throw a baseball pass from endline to endline.  This wasn't an easy pass as most kids would have the ball curve or they couldn't control it.  We would practice that end of the game pass at least twice a week or more.  The end result was execution.  In 1982 vs Chicago Mendel we ran a play left with 2 seconds left on the clock.  We were down by one at the time, Dennis Douglas through the pass which Bruce Douglas caught and  his shot rolled off the rim at the buzzer,  That was our first loss in 65 games dating back to 1980-81 season.  We had to play in the third place game against Chicago Marshall.  Similar set of circumstances being down by one with 2 seconds to go length of the court pass resulted in a basket which allowed us to win third place.

Evan- The Dirty 30 every day. How important was that?



Mike- Very important as it taught our kids mental toughness.  Every one of the drills had to be done correctly before we moved on to the next drill.  If all the drills were completed right it should have taken us 30 minutes to complete them.

Evan- The National Championship team- today it seems to win the "national title", you have to be at one of those prep schools and bring in talent from every place. How good was that Quincy team? I am guessing it wasn't just talent, that they had a great work ethic too?

Mike- Very much so. They pushed each other in practice and going all out.  

Evan- What would you say were the five best teams to play in the WB6?

Mike- That's difficult to do as my memory isn't what it used to be.  Certainly Quincy's 1980-81 team being undefeated,  Cliff Talley at East Moline had a very nice team in the early 70's.  I liked the Galesburg team that featured Campbell and Kelly around 73-74 I think. Might be off on that.  The 79 Quincy team that was 32-1 losing in the State Chanpionship game.  Galesburg team that included Range and Thompson that finished second in the state was a very good team.  Plus several of Coach Reid's teams at Rocky were outstanding.

Evan- If you were going to start a team- tell me who the ten players you would take that you have seen play in the WB6 throughout the years?

Mike- There have been so many that I would be reluctant to name any with the fear of leaving someone out..

Evan- What are some of your favorite Leggett stories?

Mike- Off the court Coach Leggett was a voracious reader.  He sometimes read as many as 50 books a year.  He was quite set in his ways...We would have a seating chart on our away trips on the bus. Everyone had to sit in their seat the entire season.  We were a traveling family.  No one could match us in miles traveled.  That was actually a positive for Quincy kids as it made everyone close being together so much..

Evan- How exciting is it watch your own son coaching?

Mike- It’s fun for me.  I can still remember when we were in Galesburg and he was playing in the GYBA with Matt Swanson and Ryan Webber.  He has paid his dues although he has a very inexperienced team this year.  Mostly freshman and sophomores as 7 seniors graduated last year.  Plus, we talk a lot of Basketball and I really enjoy that.


The following is an interview with the Herald-Whig...

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