Old School Coaches- How Can I Get More Playing Time?

This Week’s Question

In the Spring, players may ask the coach, “How can I get more playing time next year?” It is a reasonable and important question. An athlete wants to know what their off-season focus needs to be. The Old School Coaches share their response to the question. 

Streaks Scrapbook- Mike Trueblood (2000)

Galesburg has had some great sports writers who have given Streaks’ fans insight into the players and the games. Mike Trueblood was long-time editor of the Register-Mail.

I want to share four articles that Mike wrote in 2000 when the girls basketball team was making a run to State.

Hailey Van Lith- How To Build Toughness

In the Sweet Sixteen win over Notre Dame, Texas Christian University trailed at half-time 35-32 and star Hailey Van Lith had scored only 8 points. And Notre Dame still led after three quarters, 52-51.

Hailey Van Lith scored the last 6 points of the third quarter, and then scored 12 points in the fourth quarter to lead TCU to a 71-62 win. She outscored ND 12-11 in the fourth quarter, and had 18 of her teams 39 points in the fourth quarter. 

Silver Streaks- History of Nickname & Logo

At one time the Galesburg High School nickname was the Red Devils or the Tigers. The school colors became gold and black, presumably to fit with the Tigers.

Streaks Scrapbook- Jay Redfern- Girls Sports (1987)

In 1987, Jay Redfern as a young reporter talks to a young coach about the growth of girls sports at Galesburg High School. He mentions that the young coach “may not be one of the best known coaches in GHS athletic history.”

Throughout his career, Jay has helped shine a light on girls sports, and as a result helped with the growth of girls sports at GHS. 

Time Capsule- 1993 GHS Reflector

1993 GHS Reflector

2025- Best Things I Saw This Season

In my first year as a retired coach, I got to watch a lot of great players, great teams, great coaches, and great games. I want to share the best that I got to enjoy this winter!

Best Passing Performance- Divine Bourrage 5’11” Guard from Davenport North, Iowa. She is headed to LSU next year. I saw her vs. Bettendorf in December. It was obvious that she was a high major player. Like all great players, she made her teammates better. She is one of the most offensive skilled players that I have seen in years. With the combination of her height to see over the defense and her ball skills, she got the ball where it needed to be. 

Streaks Insider- Crisman a Streak for All Ages

By my count, Jay Redfern has been providing local news and sports to Galesburg for over 50 years. Today he does podcasts for WGIL that have a range of community celebrities from the past and the present. 

Years ago before tech allowed podcasts, Jay ran a column in the Register-Mail entitled “Silver Streaks Insider.” This episode was “Silver Streaks Insider: Crisman a Streak for All Ages.” It was written in November of 1999 before Crisman was to be inducted into the GHS Athletic Hall of Fame. Both Jay and Amy were 1981 GHS graduates. 

2025 Season- Coach Demott’s Reflections

Lexi Demott was a great player and an even better teammate. She “got it” in terms of work ethic and commitment. She “got it” in terms of understanding the importance of team culture. 

As an assistant coach, she brought many of the same characteristics- work ethic, commitment, and loyalty. The most impressive thing about her as an assistant coach was her desire to keep growing in her knowledge and as a leader. 

As a head coach, her passion and enthusiasm were off the charts. Her energy level was off the chart and it carried over into how the team played. The team was aggressive on offense and defense. 8-9 players rotated in and out of the game which created an exciting style and a strong sense of team. 

I asked Coach Demott to reflect on her first team and her first year as Silver Streaks Head Coach. 

Massey- As you look back on this season, what are some of the things you are particularly proud of about the team? 

Coach Demott- One thing that I was really proud of this season of the team and coaching staff I had was at no point in time did anyone ever give up. There were times I’m sure many people thought it will be hard to come back from or this is a rough stretch and they were probably right, but everyone stuck together. 

Massey- Were there any things that came up during the season and maybe took more time and attention? Were there any things that surprised you during the season?

Time Capsule- 1993 Boys Basketball

Some pictures from the 1993 Yearbook— 

Sean Hanlon

1961 Times-Democrat All-Western Illinois Teams

1961 All-Western Illinois

First Team-

Dick Redlinger, Aledo

Dennis Woods, Fulton

Dennis Radabaugh, Savanna

John Moore, Sterling

Lincoln Nixon, Galesburg

Mel Lacey, Monmouth

My Suggestions For Changing NCAA March Madness

All of us who are basketball fans love the NCAA “March Madness.” Both the men’s and women’s tourneys capture our attention from following who is in and out, what the seeds will be, where teams are going, filling out our brackets, and following game after game. 

We all get excited when a mid-major pulls an upset, unless it is our favorite team that gets upset. The #16 vs #1 upset that never occurs, until it does occur, gives us that sense that “anything is possible.” For those of us that live in Illinois, it reminds us of the Hebrons or the Cobden. Nationally the upsets remind us of Hoosiers and Hickory. The upset is part of what helps pump up TV numbers. 

But don’t be fooled, the tourney is designed to sprinkle in the possibility of only a very few of these upsets. The NCAA Tourney is really the “Power 4 Tourney.” It is set up by the Power 4 teams- the criteria for getting in and the criteria for seeding are all generated by the Power 4. 

At one time, NET was the tool for selection and seeding. It was a “secret” formula not shared. The mid-majors have computer experts at their schools, and they cracked the code. The mid-majors then adjusted their schedules to meet the formula. A few more mid-majors made it into the tourney as a result. So the Power 4 schools dropped that and came up with a new secret formula. 

Coach Demott’s 1st Season- Fans’ Reaction

Lexi Demott was on the Streaks varsity for 4 years, she was a great player, great teammate, and so coachable. For me, she was a wonderful varsity assistant for four years. Then this year she was fabulous in her first year as head coach. 

I asked some Silver Streaks fans and media their impressions of Coach Demotts first year as Silver Streaks’ Head Coach. 

Andie Leibach

First of all, I am so proud of Lexi! I couldn’t be happier for her and the Streaks on their first full season. I think what impressed me the most was how she operated with such confidence in what she was doing. It seemed like a great blend of sticking with Streaks traditions as well as implementation of the new. I was also very impressed how she had the girls working hard and team building both on and off the court. They completed various service activities, and had a bunch of fun experiences as a team which is wonderful. It’s no surprise that Lexi coached a hard working group, being a such a hard worker herself. Way to go, Lex!

2025 Season- Coaches’ Reflections

2024-5 was certainly an exciting year for the Silver Streaks. The coaches all seemed to work so well together as a team, and showed great enthusiasm. I wanted to get their perspective on the season, so I asked each of them a couple questions. No surprise, they all showed their sense of team as a staff and their passion for the program.

As I read their thoughts on the 2025 season, it became more and more obvious why the Streaks had a great season. I can’t wait for the 2026 season!!

Coach Lingafelter

What impressed you about Coach Demott in her first season?

One thing that impressed me about Lexi this year was her determination and mindset all season. No matter what the situation was, winning or losing, at practice or during a game, she always kept the same energy and never gave up on the girls. Another thing she was good at was building relationships with the girls. That made it easy for them to have confidence in the team and want to work their hardest. 

Old School Coaches- Multi-Sport vs Single-Sport Athletes- Part 2

This Week’s Question

There seems to be more athletes who only play one sport, and fewer multi-sport athletes. What are your thoughts on the value of playing only one sport vs. value of playing multi-sports? How can coaches help the athletes who are playing multi-sports?