Streaks Alumni Profile: John Hanlon 1975

Today’s “Streaks Alumni Profile” features John Hanlon from the GHS Class of 1975. John was part of the Streaks Cross Country team in the Fall of 1974. They were the first team I coached at GHS.  

1948- This Week in Galesburg

This post is a collection copies of a weekly promotion entitled, “This Week In Galesburg.”  Thanks to Lori Clewell for sharing these three. The front page of each reads…

This Week In Galesburg

Dine- Dance- Play

What To Do and Where To Do It

There are three of the weekly programs from 1948- August 6, September 17, and October 15. 

There are ads from many places that will be familiar to people of Galesburg— Club 19, Harbor Lights, Augie’s Airport Inn, and more….

1951-1954: Ken Menke Breaking the Color Barrier in GHS Basketball

Galesburg High School basketball ended an era in 1950 when Gerald Phillips stepped down as basketball coach. Coach Phillips had been the coach of the Streaks since 1929. Phillips’ teams went to State 7 times, including a 2nd place finish in 1931. 

To replace Phillips, Galesburg came up with a huge name in the basketball world. They hired Ken Menke to start in the 1950-1951 season. Menke had been part of the University of Illinois’ famous Whiz Kids. Menke and the Whiz Kids were considered among the best players in America. 

Menke did not have a successful win-loss record as the GHS coach, he had a huge impact on both the basketball program and on the entire Galesburg community. Menke is responsible for playing African-Americans on the Silver Streaks basketball program. Before Menke arrived, GHS had not had an African-American play basketball for over 35 years. 

Memorabilia- 1955-6 Silver Streaks

 

Thanks to Dick Lindstrom for sharing this memorabilia from the 1955-6 Silver Streaks. He has individual programs from the regular season, a season ticket to the old Steele Gym, and the program for the famous Galesburg vs. Rockford West 2 OT loss in the Super-Sectional. I added the IHSA boxscores for the Super-Sectional game. 

There are old-time Galesburg fans, who believe had Galesburg won this game, they would have won the State title. All five starters on the ‘56 team went on to play college basketball. 

Coaches’ Corner- Tennessee Lob Play

Tennessee runs a good lob play out of a horns set. The point guard sets a rub screen for a post up, and then sets a back screen on the other post. 

Streaks Alumni Profile: Carlos Interial & Shelly (Workheiser) Interial 1984

 

Today’s Streaks Alumni Profile is with Carlos Interial and Shelly (Workheiser) Interial. They were in the GHS Class of 1984. 

Coaches’ Corner- OB Flat Set Variations

 

The advantage of using a flat set for baseline OBs is that it forces the defense to match up man-to-man. 

The disadvantage of using the flat set is that if you don’t get a receiver to get a good seal, the inbounder to make a good pass, you are in danger of a turnover with no defense back to prevent a fastbreak.

Here are three options to use with the Flat OB Set. Each of these sets is looking to score AFTER the ball is inbounded. 

1980 Illinois Girls Basketball Class AA State Tourney

State Champions- E. St. Louis Lincoln

2nd in State- Chicago Marshall

3rd in State- Joliet East

4th in State- Buffalo Grove

Massey Basketball Blog Says- Thanks a Million!!

When I retired from coaching in 2024, I had no plan to make blogging a “full-time” retirement gig. I started blogging on a very casual level back in 2010. I wanted to sell the “System” to parents and Galesburg fans. Over the next dozen years, I blogged off and on but more off. 

By the time I retired in 2024, I had almost forgotten that I had a blog. I wanted some way to express my thanks to parents, players, and fans for their support thru the years, so I wrote a “thank you” on the blog. Then I wrote another post, and another, and just kept going. 

The following is the “Thank you” written in 2014. 

Thank You Galesburg, Thank You Players

Many of the topics are things that I have stumbled onto. I had a 1929 ticket stub from my mother, that turned into exploring hundreds of old newspaper articles at the wonderful Galesburg Public Library. I did one “Massey Quiz,” it had surprising interest, and it has turned into a weekly quiz. 

Massey Basketball Blog has given me the chance to explore my own personal interests like basketball history. “Streaks Alumni Profile” has given me an excuse to reach out to former students/athletes. I have loved reading about their memories and stories. “HOF Insights” has allowed me to pick the brains of some legendary coaches. 

Blogging has given me the chance to reach out to some interesting people in the sports world like Toby Vallas in Farmington, Jason Shay at Wake Forest, David Aresenault Jr of Grinnell, Jodie Prina and Molly Smith from the Streaks first girls team, and many more. And also have non-sports conversations with interesting people like Owen Muelder, John Simkins, BJ Dieterich, and others. 

I enjoy writing and as you can probably tell, I hate proofreading. Massey Basketball Blog has let me continue to do some X/O’s, share experiences like going to a Fever game, and reminiscing about growing up in Savanna.

Article sharing Woody and my trip to Fever game:

Caitlin Clark- If I Had A Daughter

In 2024 when I started blogging regularly, my posts were getting about 5,000 looks each month. That was fine, I was doing something I enjoyed. I read an article on blogs that said getting 10,000 looks each month was good for a blog. Being competitive, my goal was to get to 10,000 looks. Now less than two years later, Massey Basketball Blog is getting over 40,000 looks each month. And this week, the total has just gone over ONE MILLION!!!

Thanks to all the people who have taken the time to share and help me build posts over the last two years. 

A special thanks to Jay Redfern who has patiently listened to my questions about topics, writing, and creating viewer interest. And I appreciate that Jay and WGIL reached out and asked to start posting some of my “articles” on the WGIL website. The work that Jay has done with WGIL is fantastic, so to have some of my work included on WGIL is an honor. 

For all of you have read my posts- thanks! For all of you who have suggested topics- thanks! 

THANKS A MILLION FOR YOUR INTEREST AND SUPPORT!!!

If you are not familiar with Massey Basketball Blog, here are some of the general topic areas:

Massey Quizzes

Silver Streak History

Basketball History

Streaks Alumni Profiles

Jay Redfern Podcasts

Coaches’ Clinics

HOF Insights

Players’ Playbook

My Scout Report- Gyms, Wins, Crowds, & Knox

It has been another fun couple weeks watching basketball. There are so many good things to see about the game from high school to college to the pros.

Silver Streaks Vintage Shirts

 

Silver Streaks basketball player, Scott Shaver is wearing his 1976 Elite shirt.

Patrick Hanlon’s sons in their 1998 Streaks 2nd in State shirts- how cool is that!!! 

As a salute to Jimmie Carr, Coach Massey is wearing the 1959 Third in State shirt. 

Coaches’ Corner- John Wooden’s Advice- “Just 7”

One of my greatest thrills as a coach was to go to coaching clinics to hear legendary coaches share their “secrets.” I had the opportunity to hear Al McGuire, Dean Smith, Roy Williams, Geno Auriemma, Hubie Brown, Jim Valvano, and many others. 

One of the great experiences was to be able to listen to John Wooden share the UCLA offense, their press, and his organization. 

Talking with Jimmie: Illinois HS Coaching Legends

Jimmie Carr was a great player for the 1959 Silver Streaks. He spent over 5 decades covering Streaks basketball on the radio. During that time, he watched some legendary coaches and their teams take on Galesburg. Not only did Jimmie have a chance to watch these opposing coaches and their teams, he had the opportunity to talk with these coaches. 

Our conversation was about these legendary coaches. Jimmie shares some of his insights from watching them in action. 

Fighting Illini- Ann Henderson & Bonny Apsey

Silver Streaks greats, Ann Henderson and Bonny Apsey both went from GHS to the University of Illinois. 

WB6 Update- Boys Basketball Standings & Leaders Thru Jan 30

Here are the WB6 Boys Basketball Standings and Leaders thru Jan. 30.