Basketball season is here! The Silver Streaks girls basketball team had a great year last year going 24-8. The good news is that 7 of the top 8 players return for this season!
The Silver Streaks girls basketball team will tip off on Tuesday vs. Camp Point Central. The Streaks will be under the direction of 2nd year coach, Lexi Demott.
Galesburg vs. Camp Point Central
In an ironic twist, Galesburg’s first opponent is replacing a long time coach. Matt Long was coach for the Panther’s for 32 years winning 647 games, 15 Regionals and 2 Final Fours. Also gone for the 2A power, are two key seniors, Laureen Miller and Karly Peters. Long was replaced by Dakota Neisen, who had been assistant to Bob Becker at Morton.
Year in year out, Camp Point is one of the strongest 2A teams in Illinois.
Lots Coming Back
Coach Demott’s staff includes Jim Noonan (3rd year), BJ Dieterich (2nd year), Mark Harden Jr (2nd year), and Brad Gross (1st year).
The Streaks loss four seniors in Annabelle Giles, Ryleigh Clark, Josslyn Peck, and Cora Johnson. Peck started for Galesburg last year.
The Streaks finished last year at 24-8. They finished their season by winning the Regional over Dunlap, and then losing in the Sectional to Washington. In the WB6, Galesburg finished 2nd to Sterling with an 11-3 record.
Galesburg returns seven players who were in the top 8 last year…
Ella Herchenroder- 5’6” Jr, 9.9ppg
Joz Kilgore- 5’10” Jr, 9.6ppg
Taylor Herchenroder- 5’6” Jr, 2.4ppg
Grace Herchenroder- 5’7” Jr, 6.8ppg
Zaniyah Carter- 5’6” So, 7.3ppg
Lilly Furrow- 5’10” Sr, 5.6ppg
Khloe May- 5’2” Sr, 1.7ppg
Ella Herchenroder has started the last two years. She was first team All-Conference last year, and 3rd team All-State. Joz Kilgore was a regular on the varsity as a freshman, started last year, was 2nd team All-Conference, and HM All-State. Taylor Herchenroder was a regular on the varsity as a freshman and started last year. They have played a lot of basketball for the Streaks the last two years. The other starter last year for the Streaks was Grace Herchenroder, who brought three point shooting skills to the team.
Last year Galesburg played an aggressive style, pressing all over the court and looking to fastbreak. To make the style work, Coach Demott regularly rotated 8-10 players onto the floor. As a result Galesburg returns great depth this season.
Lilly Furrow, Zaniyah Carter, and Khloe May provided a real spark off the bench, often playing more minutes than some of the starters. They are expected to have even bigger roles this year.
Zaniyah Carter had an explosive year as a freshman on the varsity last year, playing point guard. This past summer, she moved up a stronger AAU program. The combination of varsity experience and the strong summer experience should pay dividends for her and the Streaks. Zaniyah is the daughter of Casey Berry. Casey was an integral part of the 2003 Streaks Elite 8 team.
Besides the 7 who played regularly last year, Galesburg returns four others from last year’s varsity squad- Sophia Kisler (5’8” Sr), Eleanor Johnson (5’10” So), Izzy Kennedy (5’6” So), and Olivia Springer (5’7” Sr). In addition, the varsity squad includes newcomers in- Brooklyn Townsell (5’5” Fr), Kalei Rice (5’5” Jr), Abigail Casey (5’7” Jr), and Keerah Cooper (5’9” So).
Western Big Six Challenges
The WB6 will have several teams besides Galesburg, hoping to replace Sterling for the conference title.
Sterling lost their starting center, Madison Austin. She is now playing for Illinois State. Sterling returns a boat load of great, quick guards- including the Josslyn James, who signed to play for Valpo. After making it to the Elite 8, they have high expectations.
Quincy has three players who have been receiving college interest. Jada Brown (6’0” Jr), Mylee Longcor (5’7” Jr), and Khloe Nicholson (6’0” So) Nicholson is a point guard, and in some publications is ranked the #1 recruit in the Illinois Class of 2028.
Moline struggled early last year with a first year coach putting in a new system, but finished strong. The Maroons received a huge boost with the transfer of Adalynn Voss from Alleman. She has been one of the leading scorers the last two years. This will be her third high school.
Rock Island returns significant players. Geneseo and UTHS are looking to bounce back from tough years. Lorena Awou, the 6’2” post at UT has committed to Southern Illinois University. Alleman is always tough with veteran coach, Steve Ford.
Schedule Challenges
You never know where the IHSA will assign Galesburg to play. If they do the same as last year, then the strongest teams will be Washington (everyone back), Morton (strong junior class with new coach), Metamora, Peoria Notre Dame, and Dunlap.
Right now, only Galesburg, Geneseo, and Sterling are 3A in the WB6. Quincy, Rocky, Moline, and UT will be 4A. Alleman will be 2A.
Because of their great finishes in State, Peoria ND has the “success formula” applied and bounces up to 3A. Richwoods is no longer 3A, their enrollment bumps them up to 4A.
Galesburg will not be playing Washington in the regular season this year, but will play Metamora, Morton, Dunlap, Richwoods, and Peoria ND. In addition, Galesburg will travel to Chicago to play Loyola later in the year. Loyola does not have Olga Gvozdenovic any more but they are a perennial power on the State level.
Demott’s Second Year
Coach Demott’s Streaks had a great 24-8 season and barely missed winning the WB6 in her first year. Most everyone is back, so the excitement is high. Here is what Lexi has to say:
Massey- I am guessing in someways that last year was kind of a whirlwind with demands on your time and developing plans. What surprised you most in your first season?
Coach Demott- One thing that surprised me was how many behind the scenes things that really are essential that people don't see to make a successful culture and atmosphere. One of the things that I struggled with the most was staying on my scouting/film schedule that I had planned. I tried to plan on when I wanted scouting done and clips made. It was easier to stay on top of at the beginning of the season.
Massey- Now that you have the first year experiences, what are your adjustments for year #2?
Coach Demott- I will continue to do all the behind the scenes work that contributes to our team culture. I am definitely going to work to become better with film. Not just scouting, but self reflecting. We had a couple different break down sessions last year in small groups. Coach Noonan would take the posts and I would take the guards. We would watch clips on the things that we were practicing and show how they relate to the game. It was great for them to see each other having success and where we needed to improve. I want to implement more of those.
Massey- As a biased fan, I thought you had a great year last year. Your junior class in particular has had so much experience and so much success. Ella, Joz, and Taylor are now headed into their third year as regulars, plus you return four others who were regulars on a team that went 24-8. How do you build on last season?
Coach Demott- The girls have high expectations for themselves. All of our girls have made strides in their game individually. We are very excited to see the growth and how it has lifted the games of their teammates as well. Our basketball IQ as a whole has grown which has really helped us make a step to the next level.
It’s Going To Be Exciting- Get Out There
Here is the schedule during the first two weeks….
Nov 18th vs Camp Point 7pm
Nov 21st vs Robinson 7pm
Nov 22nd vs Metamora 12pm
Nov 22nd vs Springfield 7:30pm
Nov 25 @ Alleman 7pm
Nov 29 Winnebago 12pm
Nov 29 Peoria Notre Dame 7:15pm
How To Follow the Streaks
Facebook- Streaks Girls Basketball
Twitter- StreaksBball
Twitter- WGILSports
Twitter- MasseyBball
Facebook- Massey Basketball
Scores and Interviews- WGIL.com
Coach Demott will be interviewed this Tuesday at 8:10 am on WGIL.
Exciting Event in January
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