Mike Hellenthal started
coaching at Quincy in the early 1970’s, and was there for the Leggett years. He
then moved to Galesburg as Athletic Director in the late 1980’s. Today he is
retired living in Quincy. He has seen a lot of WB6 boys’ basketball. It is
fascinating to hear about his experiences.
Massey- You had a rare opportunity to work for two
legends in Sherrill Hanks and Jerry Leggett. I know in talking to you, you have
tremendous respect for both of them. From your perspective, what made Hanks so
successful?
Mike- Coach
Hanks outworked and his preparation was second too none. I was his main
scout for several years and would see a team at least 3 times before we played
them. He left nothing to chance.
Massey- You
caught the tailend of the Thiel, Hanks, Hawkins eras. From your conversations,
what kind of relationship did those three have? What did they seem to have in
common that made them successful and what made each unique?
Mike- All
three were IBCA Hall of Fame. Game time they were fierce
competitors. Off the court they were friends and socialized
occasionally. Attention to detail is what they shared in common.
Each of them ran their practices differently. Coach Thiel was noted for
sometimes going against his players in practice. Coach Hanks was a former
marine and his practices were very disciplined and organized. Coach
Hawkins was very good at utlilizing the talent he had.
Evan- You
never want to follow the legend. Leggett didn't directly follow Hanks but he
certainly did follow him. Was that tough for Leggett in the initial years?
Mike- Very
much so the first couple of years. In his first year we lost in the
Regional Final at home. It was really the 78-79 team that turned the
corner for Coach Leggett. They were 32-1 losing to Maine South in the
Championship game after only having an hour and half rest after the Semi
Final. He did a masterful job with that team with his tallest player
being 6'2.
Evan- One
of the first years I was coaching girls, we went to play Quincy and Leggett was
having practice. I remember they were doing 5 on 0 for what seemed like 30-40
minutes. It wasn't just "running plays", it was about execution. He
was focused into all the little things- correcting footwork, getting into post
up position. What are some examples you remember that illustrate how focused
Leggett was on "the little things?"
Mike- Little
things happened every day in practice. Emphasis was on passing, footwork and
doing it right every time. We would not move on to the next drill unless it was
perfectly executed. Sometimes we got stuck on a drill for 30 minutes
until we got it right.
Evan-
Leggett seemed to have thought out every possible situation and knew what he
wanted to do in every situation. I believe you were coaching in the state
tourney when Quincy scored on the end of the game sideline ob. Take me through
how you had practiced for that, the huddle before, and the play itself.
Mike- Early
in our season we held tryouts to see who could throw a baseball pass from
endline to endline. This wasn't an easy pass as most kids would have the
ball curve or they couldn't control it. We would practice that end of the
game pass at least twice a week or more. The end result was
execution. In 1982 vs Chicago Mendel we ran a play left with 2 seconds
left on the clock. We were down by one at the time, Dennis Douglas
through the pass which Bruce Douglas caught and his shot rolled off the
rim at the buzzer, That was our first loss in 65 games dating back to
1980-81 season. We had to play in the third place game against Chicago
Marshall. Similar set of circumstances being down by one with 2 seconds
to go length of the court pass resulted in a basket which allowed us to win
third place.
Evan- The
Dirty 30 every day. How important was that?
Mike- Very
important as it taught our kids mental toughness. Every one of the drills
had to be done correctly before we moved on to the next drill. If all the
drills were completed right it should have taken us 30 minutes to complete
them.
Evan- The
National Championship team- today it seems to win the "national
title", you have to be at one of those prep schools and bring in talent
from every place. How good was that Quincy team? I am guessing it wasn't just
talent, that they had a great work ethic too?
Mike- Very
much so. They pushed each other in practice and going all out.
Evan-
What would you say were the five best teams to play in the WB6?
Mike- That's
difficult to do as my memory isn't what it used to be. Certainly Quincy's
1980-81 team being undefeated, Cliff Talley at East Moline had a very
nice team in the early 70's. I liked the Galesburg team that featured
Campbell and Kelly around 73-74 I think. Might be off on that. The 79
Quincy team that was 32-1 losing in the State Chanpionship game.
Galesburg team that included Range and Thompson that finished second in the state
was a very good team. Plus several of Coach Reid's teams at Rocky were
outstanding.
Evan- If
you were going to start a team- tell me who the ten players you would take that
you have seen play in the WB6 throughout the years?
Mike- There
have been so many that I would be reluctant to name any with the fear of
leaving someone out..
Evan-
What are some of your favorite Leggett stories?
Mike- Off
the court Coach Leggett was a voracious reader. He sometimes read as many
as 50 books a year. He was quite set in his ways...We would have a
seating chart on our away trips on the bus. Everyone had to sit in their seat
the entire season. We were a traveling family. No one could match
us in miles traveled. That was actually a positive for Quincy kids as it
made everyone close being together so much..
Evan- How
exciting is it watch your own son coaching?
Mike- It’s
fun for me. I can still remember when we were in Galesburg and he was
playing in the GYBA with Matt Swanson and Ryan Webber. He has paid his
dues although he has a very inexperienced team this year. Mostly freshman
and sophomores as 7 seniors graduated last year. Plus, we talk a lot of
Basketball and I really enjoy that.
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