Kansas Weekend

Not often have a break in the middle of basketball season. But after two weekends in a row with 2 games on Saturdays, our schedule gave the girls and the coaches the weekend to freshen up for the stretch run. When I saw this coming over a month ago, I made some calls. Everything worked out and we were headed to KU.

So Friday evening, my brother Mark, Allen, and myself headed to Lawrence Kansas. We picked up nephew Evan in Osceola, Iowa. From there we headed down to KU. The total trip took us about 6 1/2 hours. We arrived in Lawrence at 1:45am. After a short rest, we were up and headed to the University Bookstore on campus. I cannot say how much we spent for fear my wife will find out. Let's just say we were good customers.

You Make the Call

Several weeks ago, we had a game where the following happened....

1- The ball went out of bounds off of a Moline player. The ref signalled it was Galesburg's ball.

2- Galesburg was subbing five players so there was confusion or at least a pause in the action.

Big Brother Retiring

My brother Mark who has taught and coached in Clinton for 39 years turned in his letter to retire. Our family is certainly proud of him. He has been a good big brother. He has done a good job giving me confidence when I needed it and criticism when called for.

He supported me when I was an athlete, and we have counseled each other during our teaching and coaching careers. There has been a lot of time spent on the phone.

I would like to say I have enjoyed watching his successful volleyball teams play- but the sport makes me too nervous. Good things and bad things seem like they happen too quickly in volleyball. And I don't like watching and wanting the River Queens to win but not having any control. It is a stroke waiting to happen.

Congrats on a good teaching career!! We are all proud of you!

The following is from Mark's facebook page....

Mark Massey

Yesterday via mobile

This statement has been released in conjunction with my acceptance of district's early retirement pckg. "I have tremendously enjoyed my 39yrs teaching & coaching in the Clinton School District & I hope to be able to continue to serve the community and the school district in a variety of capacities. As AJ Hanafan might have said, “I'll always be a wildcat and a River King.” 

Both of my children are CHS grads. I've worked with many wonderful families, assistant coaches & administrators. The students/athletes I've had a chance to work with have been & are fantastic. I’ve always been appreciative of the confidence that Bill Holmstrom showed in me, way back in June, 1978. I think that we've built a solid program that the community & school can be proud of since then. “Do I plan on coaching in the future?” …. “I think I still may have quite a bit of coaching in me.”

Thiel Gym- Lots of Memories

Even Willow likes Thiel Gym.

Thiel Gym has provided a lot of memories for many people in Galesburg. Galesburg over Richwoods in boys bb in 1976. Galesburg over PND in girls bb for the Sectional title in 1995. The list of great games could go on. If you asked a sports fan in Galesburg, they could all name different games with exciting memories.

I have been to many games in Thiel Gym. I am not sure but I am guessing I have spent more time watching practices and games in Thiel Gym than anyone. And I am not sure that is really something the average person would be impressed with. The reality is that Thiel Gym has given me a lot of memories besides just the games and practices.

Massey Coaching College

Brother Mark when he coached Mt.St. Clair in the 1970's. In this picture 
complete with leisure suit. He definitely took a relaxed approach to things. 
I remember the games I attended, he always had a bag of popcorn on the 
bench. They travelled to away games by vans and cars. And yes, being a '60's 
guy, Mark had a volkswagen van to take the majority of the team on the road. 

Which do you like best?

Bench celebration- Sectional 2011

Crowd reacts to 3- Sectional 2011

Buzzer beater- Dunlap 2011

Celebrate Regional title- Regional 2012

Which of the following do you think is the best photo?

Will a College Find You?

Everyone wants options. When we pick out a new car, we want options. When we go out to eat, we like to have more than one thing on the menu.

For my high school students, I try to talk to them a lot about they need to be creating options. My intent is they work hard as a student, take demanding classes- so when they get ready for college they have options. They can choose a college and not be as limited.

The same is true for high school athletes. Some of them want to continue to play in college. If they have  a good work ethic and develop their skills- they can have an opportunity to continue playing whether at a junior college, D3, D2, or D1 level.

Tom Wilson Describes a Thriller

Tom Wilson in the Register-Mail describes one of the most thrilling GHS girls finishes....

(It should be noted that he does not mention the injury of Coach Rux in this game. He was so excited and jumped so high, he pulled a calf muscle so he could hardly walk for a week after the game.)

One of the most exciting basketball games in Galesburg High School girls basketball history closed out 1997 in a blaze of glory. The miraculous shot occurred in the Shirk Center on the campus of Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington.

The event was the inaugural "Grand Championship" of the Bloomington-Normal Holiday Classic Tournament. The GHS girls reached the grand championship against Mendota after defeating Normal Community, Normal U-High and Olympia. Both teams entered the championship with 13 victories and only one blemish.

The Silver Streaks found a lid on the basket converting only three first quarter baskets on 17 attempts and trailed after the opening stanza 24-10. Although GHS picked up the tempo in the second quarter by scoring 27 points, the Streaks still trailed at half 41-37.

Dani Teel- Q&A

1. I first started playing basketball seriously in 3rd grade, but ever since I was able to hold a basketball I have been playing.

2. Two people have inspired to play: my dad has always wanted me to play and has encouraged me, whether it was taking me to Illinois games or working every night at home on our court. The second person is my grandpa, Don Teel. One day he was talking to my dad and he said "Dan, this is going to be your ball player" & ever since my dad told my that, I have been motivated to play to my greatest potential.

3. My best memory was playing against my Jr. Streaks basketball teammates when I was on the Costa team, or beating playing against our biggest rivals Canton.

The Energy Bus

The following are some thoughts from the Energy Bus by Jon Gordon.

Rule #1- You're the Driver of Your Bus

"Always remember that you are the driver of your bus. It's the most important of the rules because if you don't take responsibility for your life and control of your bus hen you can't take it where you want to go."

"Of course you can seek directions and advice along the way, but remember it's your bus and your trip."

More people die Monday morning at 9:00am than any other time. "Think about it, people would rather die than go to work."

"Choice is your greatest gift. No one can choose your attitude. No one else can choose your energy."

Why Maine South?

Pizza at Pizza Villa in DeKalb on the way back.

Streaks lost a tough one to Maine South on Saturday, going down 55-45. It is really the first time all year someone was able to totally dominate the tempo vs. the Streaks. 45 points is our season low.

Maine South has a very nice team, and will be highly rated in the 4A polls. This game got MS to an impressive 10-1 record. They are talented and well coached. They have a 6'4" center with a full ride to the University of Illinois, and their point guard has a full ride to St.Louis University. So they have a tough inside-outside combo at work.

Chloe Anderson- Q&A

Chloe Anderson has played for the varsity the last three years. She only has one gear- all out. This fall she had a tremendous impact on our team during fall open gyms and workouts. Her tremendous work ethic during Insanity, in the weight room, and with basketball self-improvement was contagious. She raised the bar and helped a lot of players work harder they might have if she had not been around.

When did you first start playing basketball?
I played biddy basketball at the YMCA when I was four.

Is there someone or some event that got you fired up about playing basketball?
My mom coached me during YMCA basketball. She used to play and we had a lot of fun doing that together.

Lexi Daniels- Q&A

Lexi is a freshmen on the varsity. She has made a nice transition from junior to the varsity level because of her unselfishness- low ego combined with a good work ethic. She quickly earned the respect of the older players with her approach, and her ability to play. She is off to a great year, and I anticipate she will just keep getting better and better!

 

When did you first start playing basketball?

When I was in 2nd grade at the YMCA.

 

Is there someone or some event that got you fired up about playing basketball?

When I got to jr.streaks and I met Sami,Kailyn,Marissa, Shayli etc. and we worked really well together!

 

What is your favorite basketball memory from grade school travel bb or from jh basketball?

My favorite memory would be 8th grade when we only lost to churchill by 4 points because our 7th grade year we got demolished.

Sabrina Clay-Q&A

Sabrina Clay is a sophomore on the varsity. She was on the freshmen team last year and jumped clear to the varsity. She made an impression on the coaches this spring because she never missed anything, she worked hard, and she was pretty good!!

In preseason one day at practice we were doing alot of conditioning at the end of practice. Sabrina came to us and said she felt light headed like she was going to faint. We told her to step out. At that point we were almost done with the workout. I told her to stand with Coach Allison. Later Coach Allison said Sabrina was upset about not running, she didn't want to let her teammates down. Guess that is one of the reasons Sabrina is on the varsity- she gets it- she is committed to her teammates!!

Allison Mangieri- Q&A

Allison is a senior, captain for the Streaks. Allison has the ability to play multiple positions for us because of her athleticism, intelligence, and attitude. She is a GREAT team player!!

When did you first start playing basketball?
3rd grade

Is there someone or some event that got you fired up about playing basketball?
My older sister Dorothy got me fired up about playing basketball.