Carl Sandburg- Captain of the 1900 Lombard Basketball Team

Most have heard of Carl Sandburg, the famous poet and biographer. The community has honored Sandburg with a statue on the town square, named the community college in his honor, and named one of the major streets after him. In 1900, Carl was famous at Lombard College for another skill. He was one of the stars of the Olives basketball team.

Streaks Alumni Profile- Shanell (Jackson) Lightfoot 2001

Today’s Streaks Alumni Profile features Shanell (Jackson) Lightfoot from the GHS Class of 2001.

Knox vs UCLA Rivalry- It's Impact on Caitlin Clark

Woody shooting!

Dave Wood and I have shared an interest in basketball, and over time, we have turned it into a lucrative business. Our business is “The Shot Doctors.” Without going into details, let's just say there is a lot of money to be made working with NBA and WNBA players. To explain our business, I need to go back and give you a foundation of how we got to where we are today. 

Realize as I share the story, I am at an age where maybe some of my memories won't be completely accurate. Obviously I would have no intent to fabricate or deceive you- it will just be an age thing. 

For many people if you mention the "Knox College rivalry," they will think Knox vs Monmouth. Perhaps for Monmouth people, that is “the rivalry.” But for Knox, the rivalry has always been Knox vs UCLA. The rivalry was at its peak in the 1960's and 1970's when often Coach Wooden and Coach Knosher were battling for the same recruits. These were not recruiting battles, these were recruiting wars. The stories of competing Galesburg millionaires and Los Angeles millionaires trying to entice basketball players to their schools are legendary. 

Massey Quiz #39: 15 People of Galesburg & More

I have fifteen Galesburg pictures of the past and present. There may be pictures of places, people, monuments, parts of buildings, and even more. The quiz is designed to celebrate how wonderful Galesburg is, and test your knowledge of our community. Enjoy and have fun!!

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. 

Coaches’ Corner- Screen-Screener Action with Counter

This is a different screen the screener action. Usually you see screen the screener from low post area or from horns set. This spread out more and uses a ball screen. 

HOF Insights- Implementing Major Changes in Off-Season

Coaches often make tweaks to their offense or defense in the off-season, but sometimes coaches find it necessary to make significant changes to their systems. This week on “HOF Insights,” I asked how the coaches implemented major changes in the off-season. 

1994 Illinois Girls Basketball Class A State Tourney

 

Galesburg’s Own: Andrea Sampson’s Vision to Rebuild Streaks Softball

Coach Andrea Sampson

Andrea Sampson graduated from Galesburg HS in 2019. She was a star in both basketball and softball during her Silver Streaks years. After graduating, Andrea went to Eastern Illinois University, where she played softball for the Panthers. 

Andrea chose to return to Galesburg to teach PE at GHS. This year, she was named to be the head coach of the Streaks softball team. Sampson brings the same toughness and competitiveness as a coach that she exhibited as a star athlete. In addition, she brings the knowledge and experience gained as a college athlete. 

Streaks Alumni Profile- Denzel Jones (2014) & Sabrina (Clay) Jones (2015)

Today’s Streaks Alumni Profile features Denzel and Sabrina Jones from the GHS Classes of 2014 and 2015. 

Coaches’ Clinic- Flat OB with Ghost Screen

This flat OB is designed to set up an unusual ghost screen action. It is unusual because you have a shooter as a screener on a post player. So it puts a post defender in a tough spot of guarding a player coming off a ball screen. 

Galesburg’s Time Capsule- This Week in History (March 30, 2026)

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, 25 years ago, and 10 years ago this week? 

My Scout Report- Cinderella, MaxPreps, Flag Football (3-29-26)

My observations from another week of basketball, and another week of retirement…

1965 Illinois Boys Basketball State Tourney

State Champions- Collinsville

1974 NCAA Regional in Tucson

After my last season coaching I got a wonderful and thoughtful surprise from the 2023-4 Silver Streaks. With a sneaky lie, the players in collaboration with Coach Demott tricked me into going to the GHS lockeroom "to help with some boxes." When I got there, the entire squad was in the lockeroom, and they presented me with tickets for Amy and I to go to the NCAA Regional in Indianapolis. The thoughtfulness of the team and the surprise made it an afternoon that I will always smile when I think about it.

Players Playbook- Evaluating an AAU Team & Your Plan for Growth

Everyone knows that basketball players need to play basketball to improve their games. Not everyone agrees on the best way to spend your basketball time. Some would say that you are better off working on fundamentals and skills, while others would say you need to actually play the game. 

Any more, most players recognize a need in the summer to get on an AAU or travel team. 

Here are some thoughts to evaluate the programs: