This is one of my all-time favorite pictures. This was the Galesburg press creating a turnover vs. Taylorville in the semi-finals at State in 1997. There are four Galesburg players on the floor going for a loose ball. The end result was a layup by Galesburg, and setting up the press again.
The 1997 Streaks were a great pressing team, using a 1-2-1-1 press. The players were: #1 Molly Watson, #2 Melanie Pendergrass, #3 Angie Galyean, #4 Jessica Thompson and Megan Pacheco, #5 Sarah Larson or Jessica Thompson.
Part of the press success was that our #4’s- Pacheco and Thompson got up on the ball and were super aggressive. #3- Angie Galyean was our quickest and most athletic player. She forced the receiver back to the ball.
90% of the time, we were able to force the ball into to our #3’s side. We then had two quick, athletic, and long defenders on the ball immediately- in Galyean and either Pacheco or Thompson. It was automatic that #2-Pendergrass rotated to take the pass back to the inbounder. We rotate with #1-Watson and #5-Larson to take away all passes except the longest pass.
So two athletic players in Watson and Larson were left to anticipate and guard 3 players. If they beat us and got a 3-2, we felt with Watson and Larson as our 2 defenders, it was a situation we wanted. Plus we would have Galyean coming from behind for steals.
While we played the press aggressively, we did a good job getting back and matching up even if initially beaten.
This Sunday- Streaks Scrapbook- 1997 Girls Fourth in State.
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