1924 Knox vs Lombard: The Road to the Shot Clock Started in Galesburg

Galesburg’s Armory

To say the game of basketball has changed through the years would be a huge understatement. There have been changes to the ball itself and to many of the rules. Basic things have changed- the distance of a free throw line, how many points for a made basket, allowing dribbling, allowing more than two fouls, and not allowing players to stand under the basket on offense. 

One of the biggest concerns in basketball has been about the speed and flow of the game. Throughout the history of basketball, it seems coaches have wanted to slow the game down and have more control. The latest attempt to force coaches to play faster has been the advent of the shot clock. Starting next year, high school’s will have a shot clock. 

Basketball historians cite a game played at the Galesburg Armory on January 22, 1924 as being a game that started the movement to “modern basketball.” 

Slappin’ Glass: Analytics with Ken Pomeroy and Jordan Sperber

Pomeroy and Sperber are deep into basketball analytics. You may say you aren’t an “analytics coach”, I would dispute that. Every coach makes countless decisions based on their sense of analytics. 

** Who do you send to the foul line for a technical- analytics.

** Why do a you tell a player to quit shooting threes- analytics.

** Why do you sit certain players at the end of a game- analytics.

Massey Basketball Blog: Vintage Gear, Galesburg Basketball

One of my favorite blog activities is to research Galesburg basketball history. I have done a lot of stories about past great GHS girls and boys basketball teams. And this winter, I plan to do even more stories. 

I have come up with another way to celebrate Galesburg boys and girls basketball’s tradition. 

Coaches’ Corner: Last Shots from OB’s

Coach Bob Anderson- Williamsfield

Baseline OB Lob

This is something you can use with .3 seconds left and out under the basket. As we know, you only hve time to tip the ball. 

Coaches’ Corner- Last Shot Thoughts

Coach Anderson- Williamsfield

You’re coming out of a time out and it’s your ball. Here are some things you need to think about….

Massey Quiz #19- Galesburg Places, What Were They?

There are fifteen pictures taken around Galesburg. 

In the “old days”, they were businesses, schools, or city/county buildings. 

You are being asked what these places were in the “old days.” 

Post your score in comments. 

Athletes’ Insights: Classes, Idols, and Motivation

“Athletes’ Insights” is a feature that I am going to do this winter. This is a group of about 10 athletes. I plan to ask them to share their thoughts every two weeks throughout the winter. I think it will fun to hear from athletes. 

HOF Insights: Developing a Scouting Plan

SCOUTING- How did you handle or divide up scouting responsibilities? How did you handle when you had Friday and Saturday games? Did you create something to give to the players- paper or video? What info did you want as a coach, and what info did you want the players to have? For a Friday game, when would you have started going over the scouting with players? How did you give the scouting to players- walk thru, film, meetings. 

Girls Wrestling at GHS: Breaking Barriers and Building Futures

The Galesburg HS wrestling program is going thru exciting times. They have some great coaches who are highly invested in their student-athletes, they are coming off just recently having a State Champion, and their numbers are growing each year. It is a program that young people want to join. 

One of the most exciting things going on in the wrestling program is the recent addition of girls wrestling. This is a story that I wanted to do, and it certainly didn’t disappoint me. I got to talk to people involved in the wrestling program about girls wrestling. Their excitement is contagious!

Carolyn Kelley- Streaks Girls Basketball in the 1970's

(This article was originally published on June 19, 2024)

Carolyn Kelley was an outstanding student at Galesburg High School. Carolyn and her brother after college eventually went into the "family business," education. Their father was in higher education at Carl Sandburg College, and their mother was a grade school teacher at Hitchcock. Scott went onto become a professor at the University of Kentucky, and Carolyn became a professor at the University of Wisconsin, as well as an author of several books and numerous publications. While Carolyn was a very impressive high school student when she graduated in 1978,  her career as an educator was even more impressive. 

I asked Carolyn if she would do a Q/A with me partly because I wanted to give myself a chance to bring up Wisconsin's crushing win over her brother's helpless Kentucky team in the 2015 Final Four. 

Mainly I felt Carolyn could give an interesting perspective about playing basketball at GHS in the 1970's during Streaks girls basketball's early years. I especially feel she has a unique perspective having played as girls basketball was getting started, while Scott was playing boys basketball during Galesburg's glory days. 

Carolyn summed up the importance of looking back on the beginning of girls basketball in this way-- "I think in the current context, when women's sports are starting to get a fan base and more attention, it is important to remember the history of unequal support."

Inside the Huddle: Scrimmage Techniques

SCRIMMAGE TECHNIQUES

How much time do you spend going 5 on 5 full-court? Do you usually just go so many possessions or go extended times? Whether going 5 on 5 full or half court, do you have some favorite things you do to produce focus on something or to increase competitiveness?

Streaks Basketball Alum: Jordan Watson 2001

What were some of your favorite classes/teachers at GHS? 

I took a Political Science class with Mr. Busse my freshman year.  There was a Presidential Election that year making the class very interesting.  I was very interested in politics as my dad was an elected official as the Knox County Coroner.   I did not like math, but Mrs. Wolfe changed that.  Mrs. Aten taught a real fun class…Coach Peachey made science fun ………It’s hard to pinpoint a favorite teacher because I had so many good ones, including you, Coach Massey.

1986 Illinois Basketball Girls Class AA State Tourney

 State Champions- Peoria Manual

Checklist: Late Game Situations

Like all coaches, I wanted to cover every possible late game situation with my players because I knew if we had covered it in practice that we were more likely to be successful in the game situation. My problems were:

Allen’s Exciting Basketball Journey

Another basketball season is about to tip-off. We are excited for another season of Tulsa basketball. It has been fun to follow Allen on his basketball journey from Drake to Louisiana Tech to Longwood to Tulsa.