HOF Insights- Take Your Eyes Off the Ball

In “Hall of Fame Insights”, I ask veteran coaches a question about strategy, coaching, motivation, or other things. Today’s question…

In most sports, we tell our athletes to keep their eye on the ball. In golf, you need to keep your head down and look at the ball. In baseball, the hitter needs to look the ball into the catchers glove. In football and basketball, you catch the ball with your eyes. 

For coaches, to understand the game, they need to be aware of what is happening away from the ball. Football coaches are the best at seeing the game away from the ball because they have always organized their staff so some coaches are focused on line play, some on the back, and so forth. 

I have two questions for coaches today…

1) To better understand the game, what were things you tried to watch away from the ball?

2) To better understand the game, what were stats that you leaned on or you wish you had leaned on?  

HOF Insights: Thom Sigel- The Value and Joy of HS Sports

On Massey Basketball Blog, there is a regular series during the school year entitled, “Hall of Fame Insights.” This is the first of the 2026-7 school year with HOF basketball coach, Thom Sigel. Thom has the distinction of having won the Illinois Boys Basketball State Championship twice, once at Rock Falls and later at Rock Island. He is in IBCA HOF. 

Coach Sigel started out as a coach at Galesburg HS before moving to Rock Falls. He finished his career at Rock Island HS. 

Thom and I had a conversation, and agreed that there seems to be a trend in high school sports where more and more athletes are made to feel that the only purpose of high school sports is to get a college scholarship. Adults who put this pressure on high school athletes can take some of the joy out of playing high school sports. 

Thom had a daughter and two sons who played college sports. Haley played volleyball at Lindwood, Colton played golf and basketball at Carthage, and Trey played basketball at UW-Platteville. 

Although all three played college sports, that was not their focus while in high school. Their focus in high school was to enjoy their high school experience and to become the best high school player they could be.

I asked Coach Sigel to share how his kids navigated high school sports and turned the experience into such a positive experience. Here is what Thom had to say…

1979 Illinois Boys Basketball Class AA State Tourney

State Champions- Maine South

Streaks Alumni Profile- Ken Johnson 1969

Today’s Streaks Alumni Profile features Ken Johnson from the Galesburg HS’s Class of 1969. 

Ken took advantage of experiences as a Galesburg High student and then as a Knox College student to get a jump start on a career in journalism. Not only did he use school experiences, but he started working part-time at the Register-Mail when he was a student. 

His career has taken him all of over the United States, and it has given him the opportunity to interview famous people in the world of politics, sports, and entertainment. 

When I drive around Galesburg, I see the yard signs from Knox College that say, “Stay Near to Go Far.” In the future when I see one of those signs, I know I will think of Ken Johnson. 

Massey Quiz #62- Famous Holidays

   

 

 

I am giving you 15 dates. Your job is to tell me what holiday is on this date. 

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. 

Massey Quiz #61- Chicago Cubs vs St. Louis Cardinals

 

This quiz is for the Cardinals and Cubs fans. How well do you know the teams and the rivalry?

Streaks All-Time Record Holders in All-Sports

This is a complete list of all the record holders in each of the Galesburg High School sports. 

Hats off to GHS AD, Nick Young for compiling this list- a job well-done. 

1979 Illinois Girls Basketball State Tourney

 First- Niles West

Streaks Senior Profiles & Sports Schedules (9-7-26)

  

Galesburg High School’s Fall Sports are off and competing. We have this week’s home schedules, Streaks Senior Profiles, and the complete athletic schedules.

Ella Herchenroder- Figuring Things Out on the Golf Course

Senior year in high school can be a year where students decide to just coast home- senioritis. Ella Herchenroder is an athlete who has decided not to coast home, she has challenged herself with a new venture. 

Ella has been an exceptional three sport athlete. She has played volleyball and basketball, and ran track. She has gone to State in track, and has been a three year starter for Streaks basketball. 

This Fall, Ella is playing golf instead of volleyball. While she played golf in grade school, until this Summer she hadn’t picked up clubs the last 3 1/2 years.

This Week in Galesburg History- (Sept 7, 2026)

 

“This Week in Galesburg History” 

Lombard College freshmen coming to school. 

Drive in services. 

Circus coming to town. 

Belscot having a sale.

Streaks lose but coach says they’re winning.

Chief Illiniwek- yes or no?

Best Ball Tourney

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.

Streaks Alumni Profile- Camellia Schwartzman 2021

 

 

Today’s Streaks Alumni Profile features Camellia Schwartzman from Galesburg HS’s Class of 2021. 

Streaks Senior Profiles & Sports Schedules (8-31-26)

 

Galesburg High School’s Fall Sports are off and competing. Here are Fall Sports Schedules, This Week’s Home Events, and Streaks Senior Profiles

This Week in Galesburg History (Aug 31, 2026)

 

“This Week in Galesburg History,” it was a time that you better show your City Sticker and your GHS student ID, football teams separated by 50 years were both getting ready to start their seasons. 

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? 

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

1979 Illinois Boys Basketball Class A State Tourney

State Champions- New Lenox Providence