Boys 1956- Sweet 16 26-3 (State Rank #3)
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.
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| Mike Owens at Bradley |
GHS went through the regular season with a 21-2 record. Galesburg was in two conferences- champions of the Illini and co-champs of the Northwest. Galesburg's two regular season losses were to Rock Island and to Moline. Galesburg split on the season with each team. Galesburg finished the regular season ranked #3 in the State, while Moline was #7 and Rock Island #10. Besides the four games vs. Rocky and Moline, only two other games during the regular season were within ten points.
The starting lineup for the Streaks was Mike Owens (Sr., 6'1" Point Guard), Russ Lind (Sr., 6'1" Shooting Guard), Bill Graning (Sr., 6"5" Post), Jerry Odell (Sr., 6'2" Post), and Ray Young (Sr., 6'2" Wing). Coming off the bench were Bob Junkin (Sr., 5'10" 6th Man), Al Williams (Jr., 6'1" Post), Bob Douglas (Sr), Keith Garber (Sr), Bob Hoffman (Jr), Bill Briggs (Sr.), Keith Graham (Sr.), Elbert Kimbough (Jr), and Albert Kimbrough (Jr).
The Streaks blasted through the Regional and Sectional. They outscored their 5 opponents by an average score of 24 points. In the Sectional championship at East Moline, Galesburg beat Moline 64-57 to advance to the Super-Sectional.
The IHSA made a change to the the State Tourney in 1956 that had a profound effect on the Silver Streaks. 1956 was the first year that the Super-Sectionals were not played at Huff Gym but rather at 8 different sites throughout the state. Before the Sweet 16 matchups were not based no geography but rather a random draw. So in 1956, Galesburg was assigned to the Super at Moline's Wharton Fieldhouse vs. Rockford West.
Rockford was was the defending State Champs and had their entire starting five from 1955 returning. Rockford West lost only one game in 1955, that game was to Rock Island. Rockford West lost only one game in 1956, that game was the third game of the regular season to Moline. It should be noted that the loss to Moline in 1956 was while West's leading scorer, John Wessels was suspended for disciplinary reasons.
Rockford was coached by Illinois legend Alex Saudargas, famous for his bow ties. He wore bow ties because his second job was selling pots and pans door to door, and when he demonstrated the pots a long tie would get in soups. While at West, Coach Saudargas took teams to State in four different decades.
Galesburg and Rockford West were in many ways opposites. Galesburg's strength was in their quickness and their two guards- Owens and Lind. The combination of Lind's great shooting and Owens ball handling, have caused some to label them as one of the best or the best guard tandem to ever play for the Streaks. West's strength was in their size- Nolden Gentry 6'7" and John Wessels 6'7". Gentry would go on to star at the University of Iowa, while Wessels went to the University of Illinois where he received All-American honors.
The game matched Rockford West (#1) vs. Galesburg (#3) at Wharton Fieldhouse. There was not a seat available. Old timers claimed that it may have been the largest and loudest crowd ever at Wharton Fieldhouse.
Galesburg roared out to a 24-13 first quarter lead, and held onto a 29-23 half-time lead. Galesburg used a strategy that was common in the 1940's and 1950's to spread the court offensively to take advantage of their superior quickness and to try to pull out the two 6'7" posts. West did not have an answer for Galesburg point guard Mike Owens, who sliced the West defense for 29 points.
West took a 29-23 third quarter lead, but Galesburg tied it at 57 at the end of regulation. Each team scored 7 points in OT to be knotted at 64. In 1956, the IHSA played only one overtime, then it was sudden death. The sudden death overtime rule meant that it started with a jump ball, and whoever scored first won. So for Galesburg going vs. a 6'7" player jumping center it was a disadvantage. Newspaper reports indicate both teams missed four shots in the sudden death before the final made basket.
When West got the ball, they got it into leading scorer, John Wessels. Wessels took a hook shot in the lane and missed. Nolden Gentry tipped up the miss, and missed. But his tip hit the back of the iron and went right back to Gentry who tipped it in for the win.
This Super-Sectional game is considered by many historians as one of the greatest games in IHSA tourney history.
The sudden death rule was changed in 1961 to continue playing overtime periods.
Rockford West had won their Regional and Sectional games by an average of 27 points. West won their next two games by 12 and 17. They won the State Championship game over Edwardsville by 2 points to complete a two year run of 58-2 with two State Titles.
When Galesburg fans debate which Streaks team was the all-time best, their debate usually centers on the 1998, 1968, and 1966 teams, who all took second in State. The 1956 team is one a several teams from the 1950's that should certainly be mentioned in that debate.
The three stars of the 1956 team, all went onto have great college careers. Bill Graning went to Knox College (DIII), where he led them two Conference championships, two NCAA tourney bids, and became their all-time leading scorer and rebounder. It should be noted in the 1940's and 1950's, the difference between good D3 schools and D1 schools was not as great as today. In the early '50's Beloit College was ranked in the top 20 of all schools.
Russ Lind graduated from GHS as the all-time leading scorer in 1956. He was recognized for being one of the best shooters in GHS history and a tenacious defender. He was selected third team all-state when they only had 5 players per team. He went onto to be All-Big 8 Conference player at Colorado.
Mike Owens was considered by many to be the best point guard in Illinois his senior. Besides his ball handling skill, when Galesburg went to an open court, Owens was a deadly free throw shooter. Owens was selected second team all-state. He went onto start and star for Bradley. His time in Peoria, Bradley was ranked in the top 10 in the nation. Unfortunately then, you had to win your conference to get an NCAA bid. Cincinnati and Oscar Robertson won the Valley each year. Bradley did beat Cincinnati during Owen's junior and senior years.
There are GHS basketball players who went onto have more impressive individual stats in their college careers. No former Streak player went onto start on a college team that had more success than Owens and Bradley had during his career.
With time, people forget. John Thiel's first team, the 1956 team is certainly one of the all-time great teams of Galesburg history. From 1955-1960, Galesburg went to State 5 of 6 years. All of these teams were great teams that should not be forgotten!
Related Articles
1955 & 1956 Rockford W State Champs
Galesburg Regional
Galesburg 82- Avon 53
Galesburg 75- Abingdon 64
Galesburg 92- Galva 56
East Moline Sectional
Galesburg 102- Little York 64
Galesburg 64- Moline 57
Moline Super-Sectional
Rockford West 66- Galesburg 64 (2 OT)
Galesburg Roster
Mike Owens, Russ Lind, Bill Graning, Jerry Odell, Ray Young, Bob Junkin, Bob Hoffman, Albert Kimbrough, Elbert Kimbrough, Al Williams, Bob Douglas, Bill Briggs, Keith Graham
Coach John Thiel
Outstanding! I learned a lot in this look back. Looking forward to the next!
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