1997- Fourth in State 33-2 (State Rank #2)
The Streaks headed into the 1997-8 season after the 3rd in State finish by the 1995-6 team and the Sweet 16 finish by the 1994-5 team. Winning was expected but a return trip to State was probably not likely.
The 1997 team lost 60% of their scoring with the graduation of Sara Wood, Ami Pendry, and Jennifer Bulkeley. Wood and Pendry had been three year regulars, and Bulkeley a two year regular.
The 1997 Streaks had a core group of Molly Watson (Sr- 5'4" Guard 19.0ppg), Melanie Pendergrass (Jr- 5'8"- Guard- 11.0ppg), Angie Galyean (Sr- 5'8"- Forward- 6.7ppg, 3.5rpg), Sarah Larson (So- 5'11"- Post- 9.7ppg, 8.7rpg), Jessica Thompson (Sr- 5'10"- Post- 7.7ppg, 5.8rpg), Megan Pacheco (Fr- 5'9"- Post- 6.5ppg, 4.8rpg), Meg Sherwood (Sr- 5'8" Guard- 3.5ppg).
While many focused on what the Streaks lost in graduation, they missed what was returning. Watson had just signed to play D1 basketball at DePaul and was returning to start her third years as point guard. Thompson was returning as a starting post player. Larson, Sherwood, and Galyean all had been regulars. Larson slid into the starting lineup as a post. Galyean moved to the perimeter as a senior. She was limited as a shooter but gave the Streaks quick, athlete on the break. Watson would hit her over and over during the year as she sprinted the lane. And Galyean and Thompson were just what the Streaks needed at the front of their press- two long and active defenders to torment the ball.
While Megan Pacheco was just a freshman and Sarah Larson just a sophomore, it should be noted that Pacheco, Larson, and Watson even today are in the top six of GHS career scoring. So in retrospect, the 1997 team had three of Galesburg's greatest players on their roster.
The Streaks opened the season with an 80-8 win over Decatur MacArthur in the Galesburg Thanksgiving Tourney. The game was a sign of things to come, as Galesburg ran on offense and pressed on defense. In the Streaks first 26 games, not only was Galesburg undefeated, but only 3 opponents had come within 10 points. All three of the games were wins- At Thanksgiving vs. Carthage 81-74, in December at Alleman 51-44, and in December at Quincy 50-42.
To put in perspective Galesburg's regular season dominance, thru the first 8 conference games, the Streaks were winning by average of 28.8 points. To have an undefeated regular season, the Streaks faced their two toughest conference opponents- Quincy at Home and then Rock Island on the road.
Quincy had come within 8 at Quincy with a lineup of three freshmen, including future all-stater, Ruth Kipping. The Streaks jumped to a double digit lead in front of 1,749 fans. Quincy slapped a Box and 1 on Watson, to limit her to 15 points. Melanie Pendergrass pumped in 20 points.
Streaks at 27-0 had one more regular season game to go at Rock Island. Rocky was second in the WB6 at 7-2 and 21-3. The Streaks shot 37%, including only 3-17 from threes. Rocky's size inside limited Galesburg's post to only 5 second half play. After Rocky cut the lead to 4 with 5 minutes to go, Galesburg hung onto win 53-46 in a nail-biter.
Coach Massey was quoted in the paper as saying,"We spent a month and a half telling them being undefeated isn't important. Basically we knew and the kids knew we were lying." Recognizing that they would likely have to beat Rock Island in the Sectional later, the Streaks waited until in the locker room to celebrate. The players were equally excited, and equally surprised when Galesburg Police cars met the school bus on Rte. 150 by Lake Storey and with sirens blaring and lights flashing escorted us back to GHS.
Galesburg was ranked #2 in the State behind Glenbrook South. At this time the IHSA had the coaches seed the entire Sectional complex. Galesburg had been seeded #1 in a 15 team Sectional. This meant Galesburg would host #15 LaSalle-Peru at Galesburg for the Regional championship.
Galesburg jumped out to a 30-0 lead before LP scored a bucket before the end of the first quarter. Galesburg led 57-18 at half. Galesburg shot 55%. The Streaks reserves continued the carnage with Danielle Murfin (11), Jaque Howard (8), and Katie McCants (8) in the fourth quarter.
For Coach Massey and his wife, Amy, the excitement of the night was birth after the game of their son, Allen.
This was an era when players and parents expected to win. Molly Watson's family hosted a post-game party for the players and parent at their home. As a coach, one would recognize that such a party might turn out to be a bad deal if the team lost. Obviously at this point, the players and parents did not anticipate ever losing in a Regional.
Galesburg's first opponent in the Sectional was to be a rematch from the year before with Freeport (23-5). Galesburg managed to beat the tall Pretzels 56-42. Pacheco, Larson, and Thompson helped the Streaks control the boards 39-33. Watson led the Streaks with 25 points, including 13 in the third quarter when Freeport made a run.
The Galesburg win and a Rock Island win, set up a rematch at Wharton FH. Rocky came in at 24-4). Two of their losses were to Galesburg. Rocky would have Christine Kelley, their 5'10" leading scorer back for this game- she had been ill in the last regular season matchup.
No matter how you prepare, there is always something unexpected. The Streaks waited to leave for the game, but no bus arrived. After several calls, it became obvious that no bus had been scheduled. By the time a bus driver would be located, it would be another half-court. The decision was made, the team loaded up into the three coach's vehicles and headed to Wharton FH. The irony was that the players showed no stress, they seemed to think it was fun, and maybe it took some stress off the players.
The Streaks got off to a slow start, and trailed after one quarter 14-12. Molly Watson scored only two points in the first quarter, then exploded in the next three quarters for 31 points. The 33 points were a career high for Watson. Galesburg ran their "4" and "5" plays, over and over. The play was simply one of the posts coming up and setting a middle ball screen for Watson. On this night, Molly was a master of the ball screen. If they didn't help on her, she drained 17 footer after 17 footer. If the post came out, she hesitated and went around them for a layup. If they cheated out too soon, she refused the screen and went back into the lane for a nice 15 foot jump shot. Galesburg won 71-58.
After the game, Rock Island coach Rod Leatherman told Jay Redfern, "Molly just turned it on, and wasn't going to let Galesburg lose. After watching the show Molly put on tonight, she's definitely the best girls basketball player I've ever seen. I'm glad the next time I see her, it will be on TV."
The confident GHS administration had put out a Super-Sectional ticket plan on Tuesday before the Rocky game. They called it right.
Next up was the Super vs. Belvidere at DeKalb HS. They returned star guard, Amanda Levens. Levens was headed to Old Dominion. While Watson led the Streaks with 22 points. It was Melanie Pendergrass' 10 first half points, and a dominance inside by Thompson, Larson, and Pacheco that won the ball game. Freshman Pacheco had 15 points and 11 rebounds, and Larson had 12 points and 14 rebounds. The Streaks were up 38-22 at half, on their way to a 76-56 win.
After the huge Galesburg crowd at Redbird the year before, David Gunderson (ticket manager) drove down to Normal on Tuesday morning, and came back with 2,000 tickets to sell.
The Streak drew Homewood-Flossmoor (25-5) in the Elite 8 matchup. After an all-school pep rally on Thursday morning, the Streaks went to Redbird for a shootaround on Thursday afternoon. HF's too leading scorers were a 6'1" and 5"11" post, so again the Streaks were challenged inside. The Streaks early in the second quarter but scored the final 12 points before half to go up 27-17. The Streaks used their pressure to go up 51-32 after three on their way to a 66-42 win. Freshman, Megan Pacheco had 14 points, and sophomore, Sarah Larson had 17 points.
Saturday in the semis, Galesburg at 33-0 matched up vs Taylorville at 33-0. Taylorville was led by future Illini, Allison Curtain. She was a 5'9" athletic and active rebounder. This matchup produced the largest single session attendance in IHSA state girls basketball history.
Galesburg trailed most of the game by 4-6 points. Galesburg finally took the lead 52-51 after three quarters, and was ahead 55-51 with 5:50 to go. But the Streaks could not hold the lead. The key was in the fourth quarter, Taylorville secured 5 offensive rebounds on their own missed ft's. Curtain finished with 34 points and 19 rebounds, including 14 offensive rebounds. While her stats show her tremendous athleticism, many from Galesburg felt that after Curtain had picked up 4 fouls, the officials seemed reluctant to call any over the back fouls.
It was a game the Streaks felt let slip away. Galesburg running flat lost to Chicago Marshall 80-61 for third place. Loyola behind sophomores, Olga Gvozdenovic, Sobiezchzyk, and Fletcher defeated Taylorville 67-61 for the State Title.
What were the ingredients for the Streaks spectacular season?
The 1997 Streaks shot the ball extremely well. Watson 50% (threes 43%), Pendergrass (threes 37%), Galyean (50%), Thompson (54%), Larson (49%), Pacheco (44%), and Sherwood (39%). So while Watson led the Streaks with 19ppg, the Streaks had 5 other players scoring from 7-11 points per game. Pendergrass' perimeter shooting made it hard for other teams to completely focus on Watson.
As the year went on, Larson (soph) and Pacheco (freshman) grew and grew as players until by the State run, they were scoring close to 15 points per game and getting large numbers of rebounds.
Thompson and Galyean were able at the front of our press to put so much pressure on the opposing ball handlers. The combination of their size, athleticism, and their activity made the press so tough.
In Molly Watson, we had the best point guard in Illinois. It would have been easy for her teammates to resent the attention she received from fans and from the media, but her humility prevented any jealousy. As a star, both Molly and her parents never made it about her, it was always about the team.
No varsity team will ever beat Galesburg's regular season achievement of going undefeated- they may tie it, but they cannot break it.
Galesburg Regional
Galesburg 110- LaSalle-Peru 30
Moline Sectional
Galesburg 56- Freeport 42
Galesburg 71- Rock Island 58
DeKalb Super-Sectional
Galesburg 76- Belvidere 56
State Finals- Redbird Arena
Galesburg 66- Homewood-Flossmoor 42
Taylorville 67- Galesburg 61
Chicago Marshall 80- Galesburg 61
Galesburg Roster
Molly Watson, Melanie Pendergrass, Angie Galyean, Sarah Larson, Jessica Thompson, Megan Pacheco, Meg Sherwood, Danielle Murfin, Jaque Howard, Michelle Flaar, Whitney Snyder, Jenny Zolper, Katie McCants, Leslie Gumm
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