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Tuesday, September 22, 2026

Massey Quiz #64- What City Is This?

  


 

 








Here are fifteen famous places- what city are they located in?

The answers are at the end of the quiz. Keep track of your score and read exactly what your score indicates. If you would like- share your score on the Facebook or Massey Blog under the comments. 

1955 Illinois Boys Basketball State Tourney Program































1- Rockford West

2- Elgin

3- Pinckneyville

4- Princeton

Inside Hoops- What Do You Emphasize?

(This was originally published in January of 2025.)

There are many stats that are important to coaches and to players. Depending on each team's style of play, coaches choose emphasize particular stats. 

Stats can be used to evaluate why teams win and lose. Stats can be used to help educate players on how to evaluate their performance. 

HOF Insights- Role of Assistant Coaches


























In the “HOF Insights”, I ask a group of successful, veteran coaches to share their thoughts on a variety of topics. Each week, I ask a different question. The questions can be focused on helping coaches, parents or athletes to have a more successful athletic experience.  

In this edition, I ask Coach Larry Schulte, Coach Mark Cooper, and Coach Ralph Gallo about the coaching staff. What should a head coach be looking for in the coaches in their program, and what are expectations of the coaching staff. 

Streaks Alumni Profile: Robert Martin 1992























Today’s “Streaks Alumni Profile” features Robert Martin from the Galesburg HS Class of 1992.

I had the opportunity to coach Robert in cross county at GHS. He was one of those kids that you enjoyed coaching. He got along with everyone, his questions always showed a thoughtfulness and desire to learn. 

Of all the things that I do with my blog, the “Streaks Alumni Profile” is without a doubt the most enjoyable. There are so many Streaks Alums who are doing great things and it is great to catch up on their lives. 

Robert has lived a life of service to others. His service has taken him to Africa and New York, and back and forth throughout his life. His story is so inspiring, I am very grateful that he took the time to share it. 

Monday, September 21, 2026

Stefanie White Could Learn from Hubie Brown


























Watching the Indiana Fever game this past Sunday, I thought it was a game that every high school coach should be watching. 

The game reminded me of a lot of lessons that I learned coaching HS basketball about what NOT to do. 

I had the good fortune to listen to Hubie Brown at numerous clinics and his commentary during numerous games. One clinic topic he presented was about building trust, confidence, and stability in your team. 

1982 Illinois Boys Basketball Class A State Tourney




































1- Lawrenceville

2- Monmouth

3- Herscher

4- Havana

Coaching 101- Coaching Isn't Just Coaching


I don’t know how many times over the years I have heard a coach complain, ”I wish I could just coach and not have to worry about all the other stuff.” 


I believe these coaches are saying they like working with their players in practice and in games, but they don't like do all the other stuff. On the floor coaching in practice is so rewarding, and games obviously are really exciting. When you are young and decide to go into coaching, this is what you envision coaching to be- practice and games.

Sunday, September 20, 2026

This Week in Galesburg History- Sept 21, 2026

 



 


















“This Week in Galesburg History” 

Heavyweight title match

OT’s with Anniversary Sale

Streaks football beats defending champs

Streaks swimmers dominate

GHS Principal Tom Chiles has a close shave

Kyle Hunter wins Double-A Championship


This is a look back at the history of Galesburg (and the world). What was going on 100 years ago, 75 years ago, 50 years ago, 30 years ago, 20 years ago, and 10 years ago this week? 


“This Week in Galesburg History” appears on Mondays on the WGIL website and the Massey Basketball Blog.

Pete Thierry- "I Doubted I'd Ever be a Streak"

The old GHS located just off the square.
This post was originally published Nov. 13, 2011. 

When we think about segregation and racism in America during the 20th century, most of us in the North immediately turn out thoughts to the South. The reality is that there were many examples of segregation and racism in the North during the 20th century.

My mother told a story of when my father was coaching basketball in Savanna, Illinois in the 1940’s. Savanna was located about 40 miles from Wisconsin, so definitely the “North.” My father had an African-American player on his team. If the team was going to stop for a meal after a road game, my father would always go into the local restaurant to see if they would serve an African-American. If they would not, he would go back out and tell the team, “The restaurant is full.” And they would look for another place to eat. Having grown up in the 1960’s, I found this story to be a revelation. I was sure that only happened in the South.

Illinois- Top Girls Basketball Programs











The following is a list of the leading Illinois girls basketball programs thru 2026 in the following categories:
Total Wins
20 Win Seasons
Regional Championships
State Appearances
Final Fours
State Championships

The totals are based on what each school provides to the IHSA website. 

Illinois Top Boys Basketball Programs







The following is a list of the leading Illinois boys basketball programs thru 2026 in the following categories:

Total Wins

20 Win Seasons 

Regional Championships

State Appearances

Final Fours

State Championships


The totals are based on what each school provides to the IHSA website. 

Friday, September 18, 2026

State Championship Journeys- Todd Borrision, Jay Hatch, Bob Becker



















(This was originally posted in January of 2025)

One of the goals for coaches and players is to win a State Championship. I have asked 8 high schools basketball coaches to reflect upon their championship seasons. Today Todd Borrison (Preston, Ia & Davenport Assumption, Ia), Jay Hatch (Alleman), and Bob Becker (Morton) reflect upon their championship seasons. 


Thursday, September 17, 2026

HOF Insights: Coach Massey- Grow Your Game as a Coach



























One of the major things coaches emphasize with their players is the importance of working in the off-season to improve their game. Coaches come up with all sorts of plans and programs designed to motivate their players to invest the time to elevate their skills. 

If there is a skill coach putting on a program in our area, coaches give their players the info and encourage them to go. Coaches organize camps for their team and enter them in leagues and tourneys in the off-season. And often coaches encourage them to become part of an AAU program. 

The message to our players is loud and clear— “If you want to succeed, you must be willing to invest the time to make yourself a better player.”

GAA- Girls Sports As We Knew It



For parts of almost five decades, when people thought about girls sports in Illinois high schools, they thought of the Girls Athletic Association. Depending on the facilities of each school, it was a daily after school program or just a program a few days per month. 


Female athletes received instruction in different sports and had intramural contests in a variety of sports.