In the early 1970’s, two Galesburg High School teachers came up with a plan to team teach a course combining U.S. History and American Literature. Joe Patterson was the English half of the team, and Hal Devore was the history half of the team.
I had the good fortune to student-teach for Hal Devore in the Fall of 1973, so I had the opportunity to get an inside look at their plan and their approach. My role was more one of observation as opposed to being in front of the classroom.
Today’s Streaks Alumni Profile features Jessica Howard from the GHS Class of 2011.
Congratulations to Coach Kimberly Barth and her Washington Panthers on winning the 2026 Illinois Class 3A State Championship.
Coach Barth is finishing her 10th year coaching. In her first five years, the Panthers won one Regional Championship. In the last five years, Washington has won 5 Regionals and 2 Sectionals. Last year they took 3rd in State to go with this year’s State Championship.
My thoughts on another week of basketball and another week of retirement…
29-6 (State Rank #14)
The success the Streaks had in 1996 started with the 1994 season. Sara Wood and Ami Pendry were the starting guards as sophomores on the 1994 team, who was upset in the Galesburg Sectional by IVC. Then in 1995, Sara Wood (Jr) and Molly Watson (So) started along with seniors Bonny Apsey, Stef Mitchell, and Gina Miller. The ‘95 Streaks made it to the Super-Sectional before losing to Normal Community.
The 1995 team may have been one of the all-time best teams with senior scoring stars- Bonny Apsey and Stef Mitchell. There was a real sense that 1995 was the Streak’s chance to go to Redbird Arena. So initially, there was a sense that the 1996 team would not be as good.
No cheating!! Get out a pad of paper to write your answers on, and then go to the bottom of the page when you are all done to check your answers.
One of the greatest teams in Galesburg basketball history was the 1966 Silver Streaks. The Streaks were coached by John Thiel, and led in scoring by Dale Kelley. Galesburg lost to Thornton in the State Championship game and finished 2nd in State.
Brad had an outstanding career in Track at both GHS and then at Monmouth College.
GHS is fortunate that Brad chose to come back to Galesburg as a teacher and a coach. He has been involved coaching track, both boys and girls basketball, and girls golf.
Brad has also been instrumental in helping develop “better athletes” at GHS with speed training and weight room ideas.
He has been a coach who has been able to connect with athletes and students. Brad has an ability to make them feel special and important.
Galesburg was coming off an Elite 8 appearance in 1955. The Streaks had lost to Elgin in the Elite 8 game in OT 66-60. Obviously coming this close had to fuel the 1956 team, plus they returned arguably the top three from the 1955 team. Guards Mike Owens and Russ Lind along with post player Bill Graning returned for their senior year. Years later, Owens commented on the '56 season, "We thought we were going to be pretty good, but we were much better than I thought we were going to be."
While the '56 Streaks returned three of their best players, they lost their coach. Coach Frank Adams moved practically across the street from the old GHS to coach at Knox College. The transition was easier than you might predict because assistant Coach John Thiel took over. As assistant coach, the players were very familiar with Thiel.
