My Scout Report: Shots, Positions, and Build a Moat

Another week watching basketball, another week of some thoughts and reactions.

WB6 Update: Girls/Boys Leaders Thru Dec 17

These are the leaders in girls and boys basketball in the WB6 thru Wednesday, December 17.

Massey Sports Quiz #4: Streaks Basketball Players

 

This is the ultimate test to see if you are really a Streaks basketball super-fan. I have put up 20 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. 

Toby Vallas- Farmington: Headed into HOF

Congratulations to Farmington’s Toby Vallas, who will be going into the Illinois Football Coaches Hall of Fame. Toby has a career record 103-23 (.817). His Farmington teams have made 10 straight play-off appearances, including 2024 trip to the semi-finals. 

Coaches’ Corner: Mid-Season Analysis

High school coaches are wise to take some time in the middle of season to do some “self-scouting.” In a perfect world, maybe before the Christmas Tourneys or after the Christmas Tourneys, a team may have a break of 5 days where a coach may have some time to take a deep dive. If a team does not have a lot of time off, a coach MUST find some time to analyze the team. 

Often as coaches, we wait until a couple weeks before the post-season tourney to analyze our team and try to make adjustments going into the tourney. This can be good but I would argue that it is often too late. 

1998 Galesburg vs Moline- An Epic 3 Game Series

In 1998, boys basketball in the Western Big Six may have at its all-time best. Galesburg- 2nd in State, Quincy- 3rd in the WB6 and 3rd- State, and Moline went 25-3. In the last AP poll of the year, Galesburg #3, Moline #7, and Quincy #14. 

Galesburg’s run to the State Title game was so exciting and such a great achievement. When Galesburg fans think about the ‘98 Silver Streaks, you have to immediately think about that tourney run. 

With all the excitement of that ‘98 season, the three game series with Moline may be one of the most impressive stories in Streaks history. The year before Moline had made the Sweet 16, losing to Rockford Boylan by 2 points in the Super-Sectional. And Moline had beaten Galesburg three times in ‘97 by scores of 53-43, 74-71, and 67-53. 

HOF Insights: Books, Movies, and Mentors (Part 2)

The HOF Coaches share some tidbits- favorite sports movies, favorite sports books, best games/venues attended as a fan, mentors, people on speed dial, and dinner guests. 

Massey Quiz #25: 15 Galesburg People & More

 

I have fifteen Galesburg pictures of Galesburg people. 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. 

HOF Insights: Books, Movies, and Mentors (Part 1)

These HOF Coaches share some of their “favorites.” They reveal their favorite sports movies, sports books, best games or venues attended as a fan, mentors, memorable advice, and the fantasy dinner guests. 

Jodie Prina: The Galesburg Basketball Legend That Time Forgot

Jodie Prina- GHS Senior Picture 1974

Jodie Prina was a 1974 graduate of Galesburg High School. She was on the first two girls basketball teams at GHS. Those first teams were given a limited schedule but went undefeated each year- going 4-0 and then 6-0. Prina was not just a good player, she was a dominate player. 

Prina went onto to play at Carl Sandburg College. She led the 1974-5 team to a 19-5 season while averaging 24.1ppg/13.0rpg. The following year, as CSC won the State title, Jodie averaged 23.5ppg. 

At Juco Sectional, Prina averaged 23.5ppg/13.5rpg at a 5’8” forward. In the championship game, she scored 27 points with 10 rebounds. 

At the State championship game, she had 30 points and 15 rebounds. At the National Juco Tourney in three games, Prina averaged 26.7ppg. 

Jodie went onto play for the University of Illinois during the 1976-7 and 1977-8 seasons. 

Coaches’ Corner: Ghost into Clear Out

Normally when we talk about running a clear out, you think of clearing a side out for the player to go one on one. This simple action is designed to create space in the middle of the floor. You will look at it and think it is too simple to really work, but this year I have seen it used effectively 2-3 times per game for a layup for #3 or a wide open three on a kick. 

Streaks Alumni Profile: Kirsten Olson 1989

Today’s “Streaks Alumni Profile” is with Kirsten Olson from GHS Class of 1989. 

Athletes’ Insights: New Sport, Gift Card, Teammates

 

This week the athletes weigh in on winter sports, favorite restaurants, coach’s quotes, and great teammates. 

Coaches’ Corner: Offense vs 1-2-2 Zone with Point Covering the Post

Diagram A- It looks to me like they want to cover the corner with posts but they are slow getting there, and then covering post with the point guard defender. I know a lot of teams like this rotation because it keeps X5 on weak side boards. But I think there are flaws you can take advantage of. 

Diagram B- I think you can get the ball inside by having the point guard make a slice cut to the corner. If you keep 4 in the post, if 1 cuts quick to catch X4’s eye and get them to cut out. Your 2 may find 4 unguarded. 

Diagram C- You can get the same action by swinging the weakside wing. The advantage of this would be to do it early so X1 will have more trouble covering. Maybe have 1 pass to 3 then 3 pass back and cut. 1 can hold it for second before passing to 2. So timing wise have 3 cutting to corner as 1 passes. 

Diagram D- I have run the action of B Diagram to opposite corner. Have 2 pop to the top and then you have created 2 on2 on the weakside. If you have a guard who can shoot off the dribble, they should get nice shot from 15 feet. 

Diagram E- Diagrams E and F go together. In Diagram E, we want to take the ball to #3 then reverse. #1 wants to hold the ball and keep X1 guarding them until #3 cuts off #4. 

Diagram F- When 3 cuts off #4, #4 leaves and is going to screen X1. You are screening X1 to prevent them from rotating down to cover the post. #5 is flashing across block to block to get the ball. X5 typically is not going to want to rotate to cover that block or will be slow 

1988 Illinois Class A Girls State Tourney

 State Champions- Teutopolis