Coach Demott’s 1st Season- Fans’ Reaction

Lexi Demott was on the Streaks varsity for 4 years, she was a great player, great teammate, and so coachable. For me, she was a wonderful varsity assistant for four years. Then this year she was fabulous in her first year as head coach. 

I asked some Silver Streaks fans and media their impressions of Coach Demotts first year as Silver Streaks’ Head Coach. 

Andie Leibach

First of all, I am so proud of Lexi! I couldn’t be happier for her and the Streaks on their first full season. I think what impressed me the most was how she operated with such confidence in what she was doing. It seemed like a great blend of sticking with Streaks traditions as well as implementation of the new. I was also very impressed how she had the girls working hard and team building both on and off the court. They completed various service activities, and had a bunch of fun experiences as a team which is wonderful. It’s no surprise that Lexi coached a hard working group, being a such a hard worker herself. Way to go, Lex!

Jimmy Carr

It's said the toughest thing to do is to replace a legend.  Coach Lexi    didn't hear that. Her team played with class and under control. It was no accident her team won twenty plus games. The program is in good hands and she is to be congratulated.

Jason Wessels

An absolute incredible year for a first year coach! First, Lexi had some enormous shoes to fill! Replacing a legendary coach with over 1,000 career wins is no easy task! Add on top of that, replacing 4 starters with an extremely young team! But Coach Demott never wavered! She embraced it. She preached defense and rebounding and her team was an extension of her on the court and you could see it! Her will to compete and win were on display on a nightly basis! She took this young team to 24 wins and a regional title in her first season! I think if you ask any coach in the history of the game, they would all take that in their first season! I think Streaks basketball is in very good hands! I know the shoes are really tough to fill, but I would say Lexi is off to a great start!

Brett Wolfe

Lexi did a great job of  balancing high expectations and execution, while also recognizing a team this young will make some mistakes and is learning and developing. She set a high bar while also allowing freedom to learn through adversity. That can be a tough balancing act. Well done, Coach!

Jeanine Bryant

  If Lexi felt the pressure of replacing a coach of 46 years, and with 1018 wins, I never saw it.   She assumed the role with confidence and grace.  She shows a commitment to the continuation of teaching teamwork, sportsmanship, and character.   The players understood their roles for team success that Galesburg girls basketball is known for.   I look forward to watching Lexi and this young team grow.

Silver Streaks girls basketball didn't miss a beat in putting a competitive team on the floor for every game.   At the end of each game, family and fans can leave the Gyms knowing this team and staff gave their best.  

For decades, Steve and I have gotten the enjoyment of watching the Galesburg girls basketball team work together towards a common goal.   There wasn't a missed beat this year, and I am grateful

Dave Dunn

After watching Lexi as a player and assistant coach I knew she was ready. I also knew she would always be prepared. She had great role models in her time as an assistant. Her humility was evident. She never made excuses when things didn’t go as planned. She didn’t berate the official or players. Even on post-game radio interviews she kept it classy. When being praised, she always deflected and gave the praise to her team. I also thought she was quite masterful in bringing along younger players in an effective way. Our future is bright under Lexi and her team.

Marla Clay

Coach Demott had a vision of how she wanted the Streaks to play. It was clear her players understood her expectations by the way they executed her game plans. Her team showed discipline and good fundamentals throughout the season. 

What impressed me most was her coaching on the sideline. She was demanding but positive in her talk to the players. The atmosphere on the sideline reflected the no quit attitude on the court. The “find a way” competitiveness of the team, and the overall belief in her players. 

As a first year coach, she is way ahead of the game. I can only look forward with excitement as she continues the rich history of the Streaks!

Antonia Kisler

I was very impressed with the way Coach DeMott transitioned from assistant to head coach. It seemed like a very smooth transition. With being an assistant for a few years beforehand, she was very prepared to take this program to the next level with these younger players. She knew that it could be a struggle year because of the lack of experience, but she took on the challenge and they did amazing this year. She made them a tough team. I’m so proud of them. 

Jay Redfern

As far as Lexi, from a casual but longtime observer, I don’t think you could have asked for more from a first-year varsity coach. She was confident and collected, yet enthusiastic, humble and passionate. I loved her demeanor both on and off the court. Body language tells a lot about a coach. 

I’ll go back to the word humble, and add the word real. I loved listening to her pre- and post-game shows. Lexi just has a geniune feel to her personality. She was ALWAYS unbeat, and rarely dwelled on negatives.

And I really enjoyed the way she promoted her team and the girls on the Streaks Facebook page. I really felt like she did a great job of not only informing and promoting about upcoming games and game results, but giving us outsiders an inside look at the girls off the court. 

I don’t think Galesburg girls basketball could be in any better hands.

Sara Wood

I was impressed by Lexi's preparedness and how hard her team played starting with the first game. Lexi had a strong presence on the sideline without being either obnoxious or disinterested. The team listened to her during timeouts and she always appeared supportive of her players during the game. She was articulate in post-game interviews, positive towards her players and the other team.

Dave Dunn

After watching Lexi as a player and assistant coach I knew she was ready. I also knew she would always be prepared. She had great role models in her time as an assistant. Her humility was evident. She never made excuses when things didn’t go as planned. She didn’t berate the official or players. Even on post-game radio interviews she kept it classy. When being praised, she always deflected and gave the praise to her team. I also thought she was quite masterful in bringing along younger players in an effective way. Our future is bright under Lexi and her team.

Antonia Kisler

I was very impressed with the way Coach DeMott transitioned from assistant to head coach. It seemed like a very smooth transition. With being an assistant for a few years beforehand, she was very prepared to take this program to the next level with these younger players. She knew that it could be a struggle year because of the lack of experience, but she took on the challenge and they did amazing this year. She made them a tough team. I’m so proud of them.