Focus Over Frustration: Mastering Composure in Summer Basketball

In the summer, coaches hope the players and the team will build championship habits.  

Summer basketball is not about winning games and winning championships. It is about building good habits and breaking bad habits so that championships can be won in the winter.

Good habits are not built by talking about them, they are built by repetition, repetition, and more repetition. It means executing drills correctly. It means being focused in summer games on proper execution. 

As tough as it is to build good habits, it probably requires even more focus and more discipline to break bad habits. For players it is too easy to say, “That’s what I have always done.”

1946 Illinois Boys Basketball State Tourney

State Champions- Champaign

2nd in State- Centralia

3rd in State- Dundee

4th in State- Rockford East

William Allen: GHS Teacher Makes Ultimate Sacrifice in WW2

 William Allen was a 1939 graduate of Knox College. While at Knox, he became a political activist. He was part of a large group of students who were unhappy with the school’s “chapels.” They felt that the chapels had become a way for the college to indoctrinate students with conservative, pro-business speakers. His activism led him to take a leadership role as the editor of the Knox Student (school newspaper). His outspoken approach caused some to label him as un-American and a Communist.  

After graduation, he taught three years in Fairview. He moved back to teach at Galesburg High School in 1942. He was an English teacher and in charge of all of the drama activities. At this time, before TV, school plays were performed almost monthly. 

This Week in Galesburg History (May 25, 2026)

“This Week in Galesburg History” 

Evar Swanson took one high and inside, kids at Douglas School just wanted to play, and it was time to fly from Galesburg to Chicago….

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 the WGIL website and Massey Basketball Blog. 

Players Playbook- 10 Tasks for Off-Season

Here are 10 tasks for players for the off-season. 

1- Listen, Listen, Listen- Listen to your coaches. Understand what they want. Ask questions. Players who build relationships with their coach have greater success. Despite what outside voices may say- your coach wants you to succeed. 

2- Communicate with Teammates- Off the court, talk and get to know your teammates. 

In practice, give teammates praise and constructive advice. 

During summer games, develop the habit of talking or huddling quickly in deadballs. Ideally this would be the point guard but it can be any player. Describe a simple action that you will start the next possession. Even if you are a free lance kind of team. Share by saying, “Let’s start next possession with a dribble hand off.” Obviously the more actions that you have names for, the easier it is. You are still a “free lance” team but have your team start each possession with a particular action. This will create variety but it also might be the way to get preferred players touches.

Coaches’ Corner- Iverson Curl with Fade into Screen the Screener

After running an Iverson cut, the team can have the cutter curl to the basket, which can lead to an easy layup. 

In this case, an added action gets the team into a screen the screener action. 

Names of Distinction: The Heritage of Galesburg HS Facilities

Through the years, District #205 has chosen to honor some teachers, coaches, and directors for their service and their excellence. 

At one time Galesburg had named entire buildings in honor of administrators and teachers. Irma Gale School, Rose Hoben Welch School, Mary Allen West School, Nellie Swanson School, and William Steele School are examples of recognition of individuals for their service to Galesburg schools and students. 

Starting in 1970, District #205 honored long-time football and track coach, C.C. VanDyke by naming the new GHS football field in his honor. Since that time, former GHS students, teachers, coaches, and directors have had similar recognition. I have been included in this group, as they are going to name the basketball court in my honor. 

Streaks Alumni Profile- Reed Allison 1996

Today’s Streaks Alumni Profile features Reed Allison from the GHS class of 1995.

Massey Quiz #46- Doors of Galesburg

I have fifteen pictures of Galesburg DOORS. 

The quiz is designed to celebrate how wonderful Galesburg is, and test your knowledge of our community. Enjoy and have fun!!

Coaches as Storytellers

There are many skills that a coach needs as a leader. One such important skill is to be a storyteller. This may seem to be a silly idea but think about it. 

As coaches, we are constantly sharing stories of past athletes at our school  as well as stories of college and pro athletes. Our stories are designed to point out approaches and attitudes of athletes that led to success or led to failures. 

To be effective, our stories need to have several components:

1- Description of the individual or team.

2- Challenges they had to overcome.

3- Choices they made to handle the challenge- approach and attitude.

4- The result of their choices- the outcome. 

5- What can be learned from their story? The morale of the story. 

To be an effective storyteller, a coach must “land the plane.” This means that a coach needs learn to give the necessary details, get to the point, and finish. A coach who talks too long can turn an effective story into an ineffective story. 

As coaches, we are apt to share stories of athletes who spell out the importance of the following kind of things:

1- Energy

2- Commitment

3- Team work and unity

4- Unselfishness

5- Work Ethic

6- Focus and details

7- Competitiveness

8- Handling adversity- next play mentality

9- Handling success

19- Effective leadership

11- Exceeding expectations

As coaches, we want to use examples of our past athletes. We can also use our opponents to point out both examples of success and failure. College and pro athletes are great to use in our stories. And there are thousands of people in all walks of life who can be used in our stories. 

Effective coaches create stories with important lessons for their athletes.

1968 Illinois Boys Basketball State Tourney

State Champions- Evanston

The History of the WB6’s Don Morris Award

The most prestigious award given in the Western Big 6 Conference is the Don Morris Award. It is named in honor of legendary Alleman coach, Don Morris. Morris was a highly successful basketball coach, Athletic Director, and one of the founders of the WB6 Conference. 

The award recognizes a conference male and female athlete each year who are multi-sport athletes, good citizens, and good students. 

Here is a description of the award, a list of all the past winners, and brief look at the Galesburg HS winners. 

Streaks Alumni Profile- Phil Schwarz 1991

Today’s Streaks Alumni Profile features Phil Schwarz from the GHS class of 1991. 

Few sports can match the discipline involved in cross country. As you look at Phil’s life after GHS, it shows a continued discipline and work ethic in the Marines, in education, in construction, and today running marathons. 

Lily Furrow- 2026 WB6 Don Morris Award Winner

The highest award given to an athlete by the Western Big 6 Conference is the Don Morris Award. The Award honors an athlete who participated in multiple sports, and has received honors in the school, community, and athletics. 

Each of the WB6 schools nominate a male athlete and a female athlete. The WB6 Principals and Athletic Directors selected one female athlete and one male athlete for honor.

In a vote of the WB6 Conference’s Athletic Directors, Galesburg’s Lily Furrow was selected the female winner of the Don Morris Award. Lily has had a highly successful athletic career in swimming, basketball, and track. 

Galesburg HS nominated Demitrius Watson as the male athlete for the Morris Award. Watson had an outstanding career in football, basketball, and track. He participated in all three sports for four years. The WB6 AD’s chose Kyle Weinzieri of Geneseo as the male winner of the Morris Award. Kyle had an outstanding career in football, wrestling, and baseball. 

This Week in Galesburg History (May 18, 2026)

 

“This Week in Galesburg History” 

There were a couple Don Morris Award Winners, employment was going up, and Babe Ruth had some advice. 

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 Mondays on the WGIL website and on Massey  Basketball Blog.