1977 Illinois Boys Basketball Class AA State Tourney

State Champions- Peoria

Building A Championship Culture

Some say “culture” is an over used word in sports. I would disagree, “culture” is at the heart of any team’s success. “Culture” is what makes any business or organization successful. Culture is a set of shared values, beliefs, and norms for behavior. When everyone is “on the same page,” “buying in,” “rowing the same direction”- a group or organization works. 

Massey Basketball Quiz #4- Legendary Illinois Coaches & Teams

This quiz is designed to test your knowledge of legendary coaches, players, and teams from Illinois basketball history.

1971- Streaks Boys Basketball- Undefeated at Home- 18-6

The 1971 Silver Streaks went undefeated at home, and had an overall record of 18-6. In the IHSA 1-class system, in the Regional the Streaks beat Abingdon and Monmouth before losing to Macomb in the Regional 79-54. 

Galesburg Football- “That's our goal, and the next year build on that.”

Galesburg HS football has had a tough time. In the last twenty-five years, the Streaks have had only 2 years where the teams finished above .500. 

To turn things around is not an easy task. It will require a strong team of coaches with leadership, enthusiasm, and relentless energy. Shawn Hickey took over in the Summer of 2024. The process of changing the culture is tough, Hickey and his staff have worked to increase the number of players in football and the enthusiasm for football. Their hope is that the wins will follow if they get the numbers and the commitment raised. 

I sat down to talk to Shawn about the process of building up the football program. 

Coaches’ Corner- Late Game Side OB

This is a late game side ob play when trailing. It was run by the Indiana Fever when down 2. It gives 2 options for threes, and one option for an inside two. 

1967 Silver Streaks- Tom Wilson’s Scrapbook

This is a collection of pictures from Tom Wilson’s scrapbook. It is pictures of the 1967 Silver Streaks.

Streaks Alumni Profile- Heather (Aten) Mackowiak

Today’s Streaks Alumni Profile features Heather (Aten) Mackowiak from Galesburg HS’s Class of 1993. 

1993 Boys Basketball- Churchill, Lombard, Costa Team

These pictures are from the collection of Jim & June O’Brien. There are pictures of the 7th and 8th grade teams from Churchill, Lombard, and Costa. 

Churchill 8th Grade- Coach Steve Cheesman

Lombard 8th Grade- Coach Phil Erickson

Costa 8th Grade- Coach Herb Knoblauch

Churchill 7th Grade- Coach Mick Swanson

Lombard 7th Grade- Coach Arnold Gonzalez

Costa 7th Grade- Coach John Watson

Massey Quiz #59- People with Animal Nicknames

 

Some people have animal nicknames. I am going to show you a picture of someone famous, your job is to say what their animal nickname was or is. 

1971 Illinois Boys Basketball State Tourney

State Champions- Dolton Thornridge 

Coaches’ Corner- Where To Hide Your Bad Defender

If a coach plays man to man defense, figuring the matchups can sometimes be a real coaching art.

Streaks Alumni Profile- Ann Conover 1976

Today’s Streaks Alumni Profile features Ann Conover from the GHS Class of 1976. 

Streaks In Skirts- GHS Field Hockey Was a State Power

1970’s- Adding Girls Sports

In the Fall of 1972, Galesburg HS added girls sports. For the school year of 1972-3 GHS competed in volleyball, basketball, bowling, badminton, track, softball, and field hockey. The IHSA provided a unique schedule which seemed to offer two fall season so athletes could play both volleyball and field hockey if they chose. 

2001- IHSA Girls Class AA All-Tourney Teams- 1st 25 Years

At the IHSA March Madness Celebration Banquet on March 1, 2001, the results of a media poll naming the first 25 years All-Tourney team were announced. 10 players were selected to the team based on their performances at the State Tourney from 1977 thru 2001.