1960 Streaks Elite 8- No Bumpy But Lincoln Steps Up

The Streaks and Coach Demott Head into Regional at 25-4

The Galesburg Silver Streaks girls basketball is coming off a very impressive 25-4 regular season, including finishing 2nd in the Western Big Six, 1st at the Mattoon Christmas Tourney, and being ranked #2 by the AP for 3A Schools. 

Streaks Alumni Profile- Sarah Pacheco 2001

Today’s Streaks Alumni Profile is Sarah Pacheco of the GHS Class of 2001. 

Sarah had one of the greatest basketball careers at GHS. She was on the varsity all four years. During that time her teams won 3 WB6 Championships, 4 Regionals, 4 Sectionals, and 4 Super-Sectionals. Her teams finished 4th in State twice, and 2nd in State once. 

She went on to play for ICC, where her teams finished 3rd in Nationals and won the National Championship.

As a basketball player, Sarah could do it all. She was 6’0” and physical, so was unstoppable inside. She was quick, agile, and could shoot, so she could play on the perimeter. 

She was an intense competitor but also fun to be around. She was a great to have on our team, and was great to coach!!

1991 Illinois Girls Basketball Class A State Tourney

State Champions- Sullivan

Coaches’ Corner- Point Guard Rub, WAIT

 

Many teams run a point guard rub action, where the point guard hits a post at the elbow area, then cuts off them for a handoff. Sometimes the handoff is a great play, but often if the post hangs on and WAITS, the point guard will be open cutting to the basket.

State Championship Journey- Todd Borrision, Jay Hatch, Bob Becker

(This was originally posted in January of 2025)

One of the goals for coaches and players is to win a State Championship. I have asked 8 high schools basketball coaches to reflect upon their championship seasons. Today Todd Borrison (Preston, Ia & Davenport Assumption, Ia), Jay Hatch (Alleman), and Bob Becker (Morton) reflect upon their championship seasons. 

Using Awards to Promote a Winning Culture

Early in my coaching career I did not give any post-season awards. It went back to my experience as a high school football and basketball player. 

The entire season my coaches promoted the value of a “team-first” attitude- it was all about the team not the individual. 

Then we got to the banquet, and they gave an MVP Award. It seemed the focus was not on the team’s achievements but the suspense of who would be the MVP. Players who had been great team players left the banquet feeling disappointed and perhaps unappreciated. 

As a result, I chose not to give any individual awards for much of my career. 

WB6 Update- Boys Basketball Standings & Leaders thru Feb. 12

Western Big Six Conference Boys Basketball Standings and Individual Leaders thru Feb. 12.

When Adolph Rupp Came to Savanna

(This was first written in 2010, and since rewritten.)

I grew up at perfect time. Growing up, I never had a house key. You didn’t need one because the side door was always unlocked. No one locked their doors in Savanna. The only violence I experienced was watching the Three Stooges.

I grew up in a perfect place. By my count there were 11 boys close to my age in our neighborhood. I don’t know how many girls lived in the neighborhood because we never paid attention to them. We were too busy. We had a baseball diamond in the field behind our house, football was played on the empty lot one house away, and basketball was in the street between our house and Davis’.

AP Rankings- Illinois Girls/Boys Basketball- Feb. 11

AP Rankings for the Illinois Girls/Boys HS Basketball on Feb. 11. 

9 Streaks Wrestlers Will Compete at Sectionals This Weekend

Galesburg High School wrestling program will be sending 4 females to DeKalb to participate in the IHSA Sectional, and 5 males to Geneseo to participate in the IHSA Sectional. All nine wrestlers are advancing after placing in the top three at their Regional competition. 

At both the girls and boys Sectionals, each weight class will include 12 total wrestlers. Four wrestlers in each weight class will advance to State. Wrestlers who took first place at the Regional will get a first round bye. Those who took 2nd in Regional will wrestle vs a wrestle who took 3rd in another Regional. 

Here is a look at the Silver Streaks headed to the Sectionals…

My Coaching Plan for the Post Season

From 1995 thru 2003, Galesburg won 9 Sectional Championships in a row. During that time, we made the Final Four 5 times. The number one reason for our post-season success was our players- we had GREAT players. During that time, we developed a plan that we thought was successful for us. 

Massey Quiz #33- People of Galesburg

 

I have fifteen Galesburg pictures of the past and present. There may be pictures of places, people, monuments, parts of buildings, and even more. The quiz is designed to celebrate how wonderful Galesburg is, and test your knowledge of our community. Enjoy and have fun!!

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. 

The Impact of IHSA Changes on the Old Time Downstate Powers

If you are a fan or a coach, and you know Illinois basketball history- here is a quick test. What is the answer to these questions: 

1- Were Districts always just for small schools?

2- In the 1920’s and 1930’s, who were the “powers” in Illinois basketball?

3- Has a school ever won a District and a State Championship?

4- Has a school ever not won a Regional but won a State Championship?

5- Did any teams ever play each other twice in the State tourney series?

The IHSA Boys Basketball State Series has changed throughout the years. Most fans and coaches are aware of the move from a one-class system to two-class system, and four-class system, but there are many other changes that have taken place thru the years that people are probably not aware of. 

Streaks Alumni Profile- Prov (Boydstun) Sommers 2008

 

Today’s Streaks Alumni Profile is with Prov (Boydstun (Sommers) from the GHS class of 2008.

I got to know Prov when she was a manager for the girls basketball team. Prov brought energy and effort to her job. And she didn’t hesitate to let Coach Peachey or me know when there was something we needed to get done. Prov was all about getting things organized. 

Prov is one of those people that everyone enjoys being around- she worked hard but knew how to have fun!

It is exciting to see how life is unfolding for Prov and her family.