HOF Insights- Keeping Teams Fresh and Enthusiastic

How did you balance wanting to get things in and keep intensity while still having your teams stay fresh and enthusiastic as the season dragged on?

WB6 Update- Girls Basketball Standings & Leaders thru Jan 29

This is a look at the WB6 Standings and Individual Leaders thru Jan. 29. 

AP Rankings- Illinois Boys/Girls HS Basketball (Jan 28)

AP Rankings for Illinois Boys/Girls Basketball came out on Jan. 28. Good to see that there are more voters in all of the classes. 

Girls 1A-

* Deer Creek-Mackinaw remains #1. 

* Hats off to A-Town, who comes in at #7 with 17-5 record. They have obviously been willing to play a challenging scheduled. 

* Riverdale at 22-3 should be getting votes.

Girls 2A-

* Effingham has had many great teams that just missed going to State in 3A. They are ranked #4 in 2A with 22-2 record. 

Girls 3A-

* Central Illinois still dominates- 1-Washington, 2-Galesburg, 4-Morton, 6-Dixon, 8-Peoria ND, 13-Metamora. 

Athletes’ Insights:- Snow Days, Road Trips, Inspiration

 

This week the athletes share feelings about the new athletic facility at Wicall, snow days, sports travel experiences, and inspirational teammates. 

Massey Quiz #31: Presidents from 1900 thru 2025

This week’s quiz was put together by Jay Barshinger. It is designed to test your knowledge of U.S. Presidents from 1900 thru 2025. Even if you don’t score well, it will give you some good trivia questions for the future!!

The answers are at the end of the quiz. Keep track of your score and read exactly what your score indicates. If you would like- share your score on the Facebook or Massey Blog under the comments. 

GHS Legends Share Secrets of the Streaks 2-1-2 Offense

1958-1959 Silver Streaks

In 1970, while playing basketball for Savanna HS, we were playing Sterling Newman. The Comets came down the floor in the second half, and they yelled,”Streak.” Their “Streak” offense meant they were going to get into a 2-1-2 offense. 

Through the years talking to Streaks players from the Thiel era, they always talk about the “2-1-2 offense.” This past year, I have had a chance to talk with several former Streaks about the 2-1-2 offense. 

The group I was able to talk to were certainly Streaks legends- Jimmie Carr, Frank Dexter, Dale Kelley, Barry Swanson, Dave Wood, and Zack Thiel. They were able to share the nuances of the offense and where they thought the 2-1-2 fit into the total Thiel system. 

Streaks Alumni Profile- Lisa Williams 1986

Today’s Streaks Alumni Profile features Lisa Williams of the GHS’s Class of 1986. 

Coaches’ Corner: Kansas Side OB Last Shot

 

Everyone uses Brad Steven’s late Side OB for a last shot. This is Kansas’ version of the same Side OB with a different look. 

1961 Illinois Boys Basketball State Tourney

State Champions- Collinsville

Coaches’ Corner- Fake Handoff

All coaches look for simple actions that may create a layup. You want to find an action where if the defense breaks down just once in a game, you can get a layup. Maybe it is a backdoor set, a backscreen, or a slip play. 

One action everybody should have in their playbook is a FAKE HANDOFF action. 

Streaks Alumni Profile- Lee Woolley 1981

Today’s Streaks Alumni Profile features Lee Woolley a Galesburg High School Class of 1981 graduate. 

1980 Illinois Girls Basketball Class A State Tourney

State Champions- Benton

2nd in State- Sidell

3rd in State- Lemont

4th in State- Carlinville

Coaches’ Corner- Bob Anderson on Maximizing Your Star

Bob Anderson is the legendary, HOF coach at Williamsfield. Despite its small enrollment, Williamsfield under Anderson had success for decades. Part of the success was his ability to maximize the “star player.” The following are Coach Anderson’s thoughts on maximizing the star…

Basketball Connection: Streaks Who Played At Knox College

Ziggy Hamblin (2nd from left) on 1914 Elite 8 Streaks team. 

According to my research, 26 Galesburg Silver Streaks have gone on to play basketball at Knox College. 22 men and 9 women played for both Galesburg HS and Knox College. (To make the list complete, please add missing names in the comments.)

Massey Sports Quiz #6- 100 Streaks Players

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!!

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