Classic- 1997 Galesburg vs Taylorville (Tom Loewy)

In 1997, Galesburg and Taylorville met in the semi-finals of the IHSA State Tourney. Both teams were undefeated, Galesburg ranked #2 and Taylorville ranked #3. 

Both communities have proud basketball traditions. Taylorville and Dolph Stanley had been a state power in the 1940’s in boys basketball. Galesburg and John Thiel had been a power in the 1960’s in boys basketball. 

In 1997 both communities were out in huge numbers to support their girls basketball teams. The result was largest crowd in IHSA girls basketball history, and the largest attended girls basketball State Tourney.

On Jan. 30, 2015 in the Galesburg Register-Mail, Tom Loewy looked back at this memorable matchup, and how that game impacted an historic run by the Silver Streaks as they won a State Record, 9 straight Sectional Championships.