1997- Fourth in State 33-2 (State Rank #2)
The Streaks headed into the 1997-8 season after the 3rd in State finish by the 1995-6 team and the Sweet 16 finish by the 1994-5 team. Winning was expected but a return trip to State was probably not likely.
The 1997 team lost 60% of their scoring with the graduation of Sara Wood, Ami Pendry, and Jennifer Bulkeley. Wood and Pendry had been three year regulars, and Bulkeley a two year regular.
The 1997 Streaks had a core group of Molly Watson (Sr- 5'4" Guard 19.0ppg), Melanie Pendergrass (Jr- 5'8"- Guard- 11.0ppg), Angie Galyean (Sr- 5'8"- Forward- 6.7ppg, 3.5rpg), Sarah Larson (So- 5'11"- Post- 9.7ppg, 8.7rpg), Jessica Thompson (Sr- 5'10"- Post- 7.7ppg, 5.8rpg), Megan Pacheco (Fr- 5'9"- Post- 6.5ppg, 4.8rpg), Meg Sherwood (Sr- 5'8" Guard- 3.5ppg).
While many focused on what the Streaks lost in graduation, they missed what was returning. Watson had just signed to play D1 basketball at DePaul and was returning to start her third years as point guard. Thompson was returning as a starting post player. Larson, Sherwood, and Galyean all had been regulars. Larson slid into the starting lineup as a post. Galyean moved to the perimeter as a senior. She was limited as a shooter but gave the Streaks quick, athlete on the break. Watson would hit her over and over during the year as she sprinted the lane. And Galyean and Thompson were just what the Streaks needed at the front of their press- two long and active defenders to torment the ball.
While Megan Pacheco was just a freshman and Sarah Larson just a sophomore, it should be noted that Pacheco, Larson, and Watson even today are in the top six of GHS career scoring. So in retrospect, the 1997 team had three of Galesburg's greatest players on their roster.