Cobden- 60 Years Later

Anyone who is an Illinois basketball fan has heard of the 1964 Cobden Appleknockers. And certainly anyone who considers themselves a Galesburg Silver Streaks fan regrets they have heard of Cobden. The Streaks led tiny Cobden in the Elite 8 game with only minutes to go, only to lose to the Appleknockers. Cobden went onto lose to Pekin in the State Championship game 50-45. 

Strategy- “Miami” Backdoor Action

 

This is a simple backdoor series run out of a 1-2-2 or Horns set. It can be a play that is called or it simply can be the posts flashing high in reaction to the wing being denied. 

Streaksburg

1968- Dave Wood wearing the famous “Streaksburg” warmup jacket.  

Streaks Scrapbook- The Entire Collection

I appreciate the interest people have shown in my "Streaks Scrapbook" posts. My first quest is to do a "scrapbook" post on each of the boys and girls State Teams since 1950. Traditionally a State appearance has been defined as a Sweet Sixteen appearance. This dates back to the 1930's thru 1955 when all Sectional winners played in the State Finals at Huff Gym at the University of Illinois. 

Streaks Girls- Best Uniform?

I am looking for your opinion about the all-time best uniforms that the Streaks girls basketball team has worn. 

Do NOT vote on Facebook. Vote in the comments at the end of the blog. 

There will be a specific year next to each choice. List your top three in order and then put in your first name. For example a vote could be:

“1999, 2017, 1984 Evan”.  This would indicate that I thought 1999 was the best, then 2017 second, and 1984 third. Looking forward to your choices. 

Streaks Boys- Best Uniform?

I am looking for your opinion about the all-time best uniforms that the Streaks boys basketball team has worn. 

Do NOT vote on Facebook. Vote in the comments at the end of the blog. 

There will be a specific year next to each choice. List your top three in order and then put in your first name. For example a vote could be:

“1999, 2017, 1984 Evan”.  This would indicate that I thought 1999 was the best, then 2017 second, and 1984 third. Looking forward to your choices. 

Amanda Gunther Egli- Entering GHS HOF

Amanda Gunther Egli will be inducted into the Galesburg High School Athletic Hall of Fame on Saturday, November 30. The ceremony will be in the GHS Commons at 4:30pm. 

Amanda graduated from GHS in 2003, and went onto graduate from Drake University in 2007. She had an extraordinary career at GHS as both a tennis player and as a basketball. Her achievements were so impressive that she could have been selected as either a tennis player or as a basketball. You put her career in the two sports together, and she is one of the most impressive athletes in GHS history.

Strategy- 5 Out Screen Away Action

This is a nice side ball screen out of a spread 5 out alignment. The action is an action that a you see all the time in the NBA but also in colleges. And of course everything is copies, already this winter having an opportunity to watch some HS action, I have seen a couple HS’s running similar action. 

I want to show some of the options, and also how you can create the action even if you do not run 5 Out. Obviously the teaching method to get players to read would be a lot of 2 on 2. 

Player's Number Is A Big Deal

Rules in basketball about numbers have changed over the years. In the 1940's and 1950's, players could have numbers like #77 and #95. In 1956, Mike Owens was #7. Then in the 1960's, the rule was that you had to have two digit numbers and nothing over 5 so the ref could signal it on one hand. So #7 and #77 were out. At home players wore an even number and on the road an odd number. So one of my hero's, Alan Cottral wore #10 at home and #11 on the road. Sometime in the late 1900's, single digit numbers were allowed again. In the last year, colleges allow any number. 

Streak Alums- Hooping It Up

Grinnell- Juniper Schwartzman

Grinnell is getting after it. They moved to 5-1 on the season. This past week included a win where they score 106 points- I guess can’t be too surprised, it is Grinnell. 

Juniper is averaging 18 min/game, 2.7ppg, and 6.2 Reb/game. This past week she had a game with 7 points and 11 rebounds. 

Duncan Reid’s Message to Players (& Parents)

In the 1980’s when I was a young coach, I had a chance to listen to legendary Rock Island coach, Duncan Reid speak at a coaching clinic. He spoke about his run and jump pressure defense, and shared tips on how to develop young shooters. His knowledge of basketball was overwhelming, and of course, Duncan Reid was very entertaining. 

Coach Reid spoke about the role of parents in basketball. He said,”A player can’t perform if they are trying to listen to both the coach and to their dad during a game.” 

Brenda Stewart Clevidence- Creating A Basketball Training Facility

Brenda Stewart Clevidence played basketball for the Streaks in the 1980's. She and her teammates were confronted with a very tough situation. As part of budget cuts, District #205 eliminated all JH sports when she and her teammates were in JH. When they arrived at GHS, they were playing their first games vs. teams who had played 40-50 games. 

Brenda and her group were among the first to commit to playing in the off-season. They attended summer camps. Summer leagues were played at the Carver Center, and we took trips to Maine West to play. They were invested in playing and improving. 

Brenda was one of the first to really work on her game in the summer. She was willing to invest hours on her own to elevate her game. I am convinced her work ethic and commitment to self-improvement helped to change our basketball program. Her approach changed our culture at GHS. It was a first step, but an important step- Players investing in skill development in the off-season. Without a doubt, this has been the most important component of our program, and it started with Brenda. 

Since 2022, Brenda has owned an "I'm Possible Basketball" Training facility in Madison, Wisconsin. It is an impressive facility with an impressive staff. I wanted to reach out and talk to her about what she has been doing. 

Streaks Scrapbook- How Do You Rank As Streaks Basketball Fan?

This is the ultimate test to see if you are really a Streaks basketball super-fan. I have put up 100 pictures of former Galesburg girls and boys basketball players and coaches.  This is NOT intended to be a list of the best players. I just tried to collect pictures of players from different decades- some famous and some not as famous. 

If you want to just do Streaks boys basketball, answer only the odd questions. If you can answer 42, you are a Streaks Boys Basketball Super-Fan. 

If you want to just do Streaks girls basketball, answer only the even questions. If you can answer 45, you are a Streaks Girls Basketball Super-Fan! 

If you want to do both boys and girls basketball, answer all 100 questions. If you can answer 80 of the 100, you are a Streaks Basketball Super-Fan!!

My money is on Jimmie Carr for first place, and Dave Wood for second place. Have fun- once done- in comments type in your score and type in your name!!

#1

Friday Fotos- Galesburg Boys/Girls Top Ten Scorers

This is a look at Galesburg’s Top Ten Career Scorers in both boys and girls basketball. 

History 101- Galesburg Basketball Quiz

Galesburg HS has had an exciting history of boys and girls basketball. There have been some great teams and some great players thru the years. There are many wonderful Silver Streaks fans, and this is a quiz to test you knowledge. 

No cheating!! Get out a pad of paper to write your answers on, and then go to the bottom of the page when you are all done to check your answers.

Question #1- Which of the following individuals played for Coach John Thiel, and also was on Coach Thiel’s coaching staff?

A- Barry Swanson,  B- Dave Peck,  C- Gary Bruington,  D- Frank Dexter

Old School Coaches- What's A Good Practice Look Like?

I am hoping to do this segment- "Old School Coaches" on a regular basis. I have put together a crew of retired coaches, who were highly successful in their high school coaching career. My hope is to post one question to them every two weeks. 

Bob Anderson- Williamsfield HS

Bob is retired as boys basketball coach at Williamsfield. At a school of only 89 students, in 45 years, his teams won 732 games along with numerous tourney and conference championships. His 1997 team made it to the Elite 8. 

Mike Cooper- Ottawa HS

Mike is the retired Athletic Director at Ottawa HS. He was varsity girls basketball coach for 22 years, as well as sophomore football coach for many years. He was inducted in the the IBCA HOF.

Tim Engebretson- United HS

He was varsity head football coach for many years at United HS. He also has coached basketball at different levels. His 2005 team won the Illinois State Title, and Tim is in the Illinois Football Coaches' HOF as well as the United HOF.

Greg King- Sterling HS

In his head coaching career at Sterling, his football teams went 78-28, and had 10 straight play-off appearances and 5 conference titles. In addition to his success as a football coach, he was inducted in the Illinois Athletic Director's Association HOF. 

Mark Massey- Clinton HS

Mark was the head volleyball coach at Clinton for 38 years. His teams won 818 games, and twice took second in State. He is in the Iowa Volleyball HOF and Clinton HS HOF.

Thom Sigel- Rock Falls/Rock Island HS

Thom coached basketball for 32 years. His teams won 502 games, and he has the distinction of winning the State Title at both Rock Falls and Rock Island. Thom is in the IBCA HOF.

Mike Tracey- Alleman, UTHS, Moline HS

Mike coached football at Alleman, UT, and Moline for over 20 years. By most, he is considered the premier football coach in WB6 history. His teams won 140 games, and twice finished second in State. Mike is in the Alleman HS HOF and the Illinois Football HOF. He was also selected Illinois AD of the Year. 

Greg Bennett- Lewistown

Greg coached many sports at Lewistown. He had teams go to State in girls basketball and football. He is in the Illinois Football HOF as well as being in the Illinois Basketball Hall of Fame. He is know for his commitment as a coach and his high energy level. 

My Question

If you had a chance to watch another coach's practice, what things would make you feel they ran a good practice? In other words, what are the characteristics of a good practice?

Nikola Jokic’s Lesson For Parent

Basketball season is about to tip-off. It will be exciting whether we are fans, parents, coaches, or players. It really works best if all of us “stay in our lane.” Fans cheer, coaches coach, and players play. 

There is a book that is coming out in December about the NBA MVP, Nikola Jokic. The book is “Why So Serious?” By Mike Singer. It is on my Christmas wish list. 

I heard a preview that shared a story about him as a youth playing basketball. He did something to send a message to his father. 

History 101- Basketball Quiz

It is basketball season. There are a lot of "experts" out there who know everything there is to know about basketball. This quiz is designed to determine how much you actually know about basketball. Some of us have a big advantage because we helped pump up the ball for that first game.

Don’t cheat- get a pad of paper out, answer the test questions, then grade your answers. After you score your test, put your number correct in the comments and also type in your name at the end of your comment.

1- When was basketball invented:

A- 1848 when Lincoln posted up Douglas at Knox College.

B- 1891

C- 1906

D- 1932

2- Where was basketball invented?

A- Springfield Massachusetts

B- Lexington Kentucky

C- Lawrence Kansas

D- Cooperstown New York

Hey Coaches & AD’s- Learn From The Best

Congratulations to Lena-Winslow, Camp Point Central, and Farmington! Their football teams have won and are going to be playing this weekend in the IHSA Semi-Finals. Anyone who follows high sports in this area of the state knows that these three schools seem to always be good in football, and most of their sports teams are good. They are winners. 

Coaching 101- Becoming More Physical

Lots of players think they are physical but it turns out they really either don’t like contact or don’t understand the level of physicalness that is needed in certain situations. 

Whether it is posting up or defending in the post, or if it is blocking out to rebound, players need to be willing to make contact. Obviously they need to learn to make the contact in such away that they don’t get called for a foul. 

This rebounding drill is one that many of you have probably done before, but it with three wrinkles that are valuable in teaching the defenders to be physical when they block out.

Alyssa Carl- Coaching 4th in State Flag Football Team

It appears in Illinois HS's that the hottest sport is Girls Flag Football. There are some major concerns of administrators about adding the sport, while the schools struggle to get enough athletes in the sports that are already offered. A real question is whether adding another sport will mean dropping some existing sports. And there certainly would be a nightmare figuring out which sport or sports to drop.

Some critics say,"If you add another girls sport, you have to add a boys sport because of Title IX." This is absolutely, positively a false statement. Schools do NOT have to offer the same number of girls and boys sports, it is about the total opportunities for males and females.

Every school who has started Girls Flag Football this Fall raves about interest level and enthusiasm for the students, the parents, and the fans. Different people have different thoughts on why the sport seems.

To find out what is going on, I reached out to Galesburg HS grad, Alyssa Carl. Alyssa was a flag football coach at Bradley-Bourbonnais HS. First year football coach and first year team. It sounds like they had a LOT of fun on their way to finishing 4th in State.

Streaks Scrapbook- 1999 Girls 2nd in State- Part II

1999 Girls 2nd in State

33-2

(State Rank- #2)

The 1998 Streaks had lost to Loyola 59-43 in the State Elite 8. The reality was that the game was not as close as the score appeared- the Streaks were dominated. Loyola went onto win their second straight State Championship. The Ramblers returned 4 of 5 starters for 1999. They had three All-State players, who were all headed off to D1 scholarships- Laura Sobieszczyk (5’8” Loyola), Olga Gvozdenovic (6’2” Duke), and Elizabeth Fletcher (6’2” UW-Milwaukee). 

Friday Fotos- 1999 The Stork Delivered

 Register-Mail’s Prophecy- In 1998, the Streaks had no seniors. They had everyone coming back from a team that made it to the Elite 8. At the end of the 1998 season, the Register-Mail ran this story predicting the Streaks could be going back to State again soon. They were right.

Strategy- 1999- GHS’s All-Time Best Play- “Help”

 

This simple play that we ran in 1998 and 1999 produced more points and more free throws than any other play we ran in my 46 years of coaching. It was a simple action but created some nice options for some pretty good players. The play was called, “Help.” The point guard could call the play at any time by just raising her fist. 

So in the State Tourney game vs. Loyola, when we had the ball in a tie game, we ran “Help.” We hit Megan Pacheco coming off the screen. She missed the shot but scored on the rebound. 

The next day when we played Lincoln in the semi-finals, in a tie game, we ran “Help” again. This time we got the ball to Sarah Larson. She drove baseline and was fouled with five seconds to go. She made both free throws to give us a two point win. 

Strategy- 1999 Triangle Delay (vs Loyola)

Triangle Delay- The basic concept of this delay is to have the three players at the top exchange and pass back and forth to each other. 

This delay concept was good for us because we were putting three players in the “triangle” and three players who could all shoot free throws when the other team decided to foul. Jaque Howard (81%), Sarah Larson (78%), Megan Pacheco (75%)

Also, it was effective because the three players in the delay were not all guards. As a result, the defenders were less likely to want to switch and if they did, it would mean that a post defender might be on a guard. 

Another advantage of this delay system is whether the opponent plays man to man or goes into some trapping defenses- we are in a good alignment. We would want to go 2-1-2 vs 1-3-1 trapping defense.

1= Jaque Howard (Point Guard)

2= Michelle Flaar (Shooting Guard)

3= Megan Pacheco (Small Forward)

4= Jenny Zolper (Power Forward)

5= Sarah Larson (Post)

Coaching 101- 4 Spots Team Shooting

 

This is a simple shooting drill to provide some competition for the team. The team is divided into two “teams”- one team at one end and the other teams at the other end. Each team will have 3 basketball balls.

The ball starts in one corner. 

First ball is passed around the horn to #1 to shoot the ball.

Second ball is passed around the horn to #2 to shoot the ball.

Third ball is passed to #3 to shoot.