1957 Streaks- Elite 8

All these pictures were from Tom Wilson’s scrapbook- the comments are my own. 

As of 1950, only one African-American had played basketball at Galesburg High School. In 1951, Coach Ken Menke changed that. Over his four years coaching at GHS, there were 7 African-Americans on his 4 teams. 

In the 1956-1957 season, 2nd year coach, John Thiel started four African-Americans. He received hate mail for that. The team did not always receive a “warm welcome” when traveling on the road. 

Unranked in the State Polls, the Silver Streaks made it to the Elite 8 where they lost by 2 points to Collinsville in one of the most controversial games in IHSA history. 

Coaches’ Corner: Indiana’s Iverson Cut into Screen-Screener

There is a common screen the screener action that most teams have in their playbook. Out of a box set, a guard screens to get the post into the low block, and the other post screens for the screener to get a shot at the top. Indiana runs the same thing but does it with a twist. 

Coaches’ Corner- Shot Clock Strategy HS Coaches Need to Know

Illinois is adding the shot clock next year. Coaches begin to wonder what adjustments they will need to make for the shot clock. The obvious involves strategies defensively to slow the offense down- things like 3/4 court pressing and playing half-court zones. And offensively developing a strategy for late shot clock offense. 

While all of those are things coaches will need to think about, there is a late game strategy coaches MUST be aware of. 

Streaks Alumni Profile: Steve Davis 1981

Today’s “Streaks Alumni Profile” is Steve Davis of the GHS Class of 1981. 

Steve has made a career as a photographer in the Galesburg area. There are countless athletes and countless coaches who appreciate his professionalism and his warmth thru the years. 

1990 Illinois Girls Class A Basketball State Tourney

 State Champs- Teutopolis

Silver Streaks Vintage Shirts

 

Silver Streaks basketball player, Scott Shaver is wearing his 1976 Elite shirt.

Patrick Hanlon’s sons in their 1998 Streaks 2nd in State shirts- how cool is that!!! 

As a salute to Jimmie Carr, Coach Massey is wearing the 1959 Third in State shirt. 

Sat Feb 19, 1966- Dale Kelley Scores 52 Points vs Rocky

Friday, February 18, the Galesburg Silver Streaks defeated Canton 70-59 to wrap up both the championship of the Illini Conference and the Northwest Conference. On this night, Galesburg’s superstar, Dale Kelley scored only 7 points and took only 5 shots on the night. The next night would be a much different night. 

Words Are Powerful Part of Championship Teams

Words can make a big difference in a basketball program. Some words can be used to quickly and clearly describe a complex basketball action. Some words can be used as reminders on how to execute on the basketball court. And other words or phrases can be used to build culture. 

If a coach uses these important words and phrases regularly, these words and phrases can become part of the team culture. 

Teams need phrases not just for the lockeroom but that will also serve as a way to refocus during a tight game. 

Championship teams reach a point where it is not just the coaches using these key words and phrases- players are using them. These concepts are becoming ingrained in the team culture. 

Coaches’ Corner: Coaches Instructing Players to Cheat

I get to watch a lot of games in retirement. Sometimes you see really good things that promote basketball as a sport, and sadly sometimes you see things that are ugly and have no place in sports. 

This season, I witnessed a coach instructing their players to cheat in a basketball game. In a close game, a foul was committed by the other team. It was clear which player had been fouled. The fouled player knew they had been fouled and went to the free throw line to shoot their free throws. 

Coaches’ Corner: Zoom Action into Backdoor

This is a simple way to create a zoom action for the point guard. It can be used to set up the point guard for drive/shot opportunities, or it can be a great way to pre-determine a backdoor cut. 

ILLUSTRIOUS- The Best High School Basketball Gyms in Illinois

I love old gyms. There have been so many great gyms where I played, coached, or just attended games. 

** Old Savanna HS gym with a balcony hanging over the court.

** Old Fulton HS gym where you dressed under the court, and the students sat on the stage behind your bench.

** Old UTHS gym on the hill where the court doubled as a stage for the auditorium. 

** Chicago Maria gym that was a shoe box before shoe’s had boxes.

** Taylorville’s Dolph Stanley Gym that dripped with basketball history. 

** Salem’s gym that made you dream of what games were like in there.

** Carthage’s gym was a modern day Hoosiers.

If you are like me, and love gyms of all kinds- big and small, old and new, unique and special- there is a book you MUST get. I just got my copy of ILLUSTRIOUS: The Best High School Basketball Gyms in Illinois by Vincent D. Johnson.  It is not just good, it is GREAT. 

Streaks Alumni Profile: Al Williams 1957

I had an opportunity to talk with Al Williams from the GHS Class of 1957. Al was part of the 1956 Sweet Sixteen and the 1957 Elite 8 basketball teams for Galesburg. 

AP Rankings- Illinois Boys/Girls Basketball- Jan 7

The following are the Illinois Boys/Girls Basketball AP rankings as of January 7. 

Massey Quiz #28- Old TV Shows

This quiz looks back at TV shows from the ‘60’s thru the ‘90’s. I will give you a character or a place in one of the shows, you give them the show. 

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. 

1959 Illinois Boys Basketball State Tourney