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Sunday, May 17, 2026

This Week in Galesburg History (May 18, 2026)

 





“This Week in Galesburg History” 
There were a couple Don Morris Award Winners, employment was going up, and Babe Ruth had some advice. 

This is a look back at the history of Galesburg (and the world). What was going on 100 years ago, 75 years ago, 50 years ago, 25 years ago, and 10 years ago this week? 

“This Week in Galesburg History” appears Mondays on the WGIL website and on Massey  Basketball Blog. 

Coaches’ Corner- Screen the Screener with Counter



















Coaches’ Corner- This is one of the best screener the screener actions. If the ball is reversed quickly and the cut is hard and the screener good- it is a great way to get a ball into the post. 

1944 Taylor Tornadoes with Dolph Stanley- 45-0









1944 Taylorville HS had the distinction of being an undefeated State Champ, going an incredible 45-0. 

In 1978, for the IHSA State Program, Gary Childs put together a great story on the ‘44 Tornadoes. He reached out to interview some of the players. 

Massey Sports Quiz #10- Ulitimate Illinois HS Basketball Quiz
















Massey Sports Quiz #10 was taken out of the 1978 IHSA State Girls Basketball Program. Good luck with this, it is a tough test of your knowledge of Illinois HS basketball history. As you take it, realize that the quiz was made in 1978 so any records asked about would be thru 1978. 

Players Playbook-Focus for Summer




This was a handout that I gave to players before the start of the summer workouts. 

On the high school level, summer basketball is an exciting time. It is a time in which individuals and the team begin to develop their identity. So much can be achieved individually and collectively in the summer.

Saturday, May 16, 2026

Friday, May 15, 2026

Thoughts of College Coach About The Club/AAU Experience



















Terry Pettit was a legendary college volleyball coach at the University of Nebraska. He is the coach that made Nebraska THE volleyball program in America. This past week he posted some his thoughts on club volleyball. His thoughts about club volleyball apply to the AAU basketball experience too. 

Thursday, May 14, 2026

Wednesday, May 13, 2026

Streaks Alumni Profile- Mandy Rinker 1995



























Today’s Streaks Alumni Profile features Mandy Rinker from the GHS class of 1995.

Massey Quiz #45- Some Galesburg Legends










This quiz looks at some of Galesburg’s legends. The quiz is designed to celebrate how wonderful Galesburg is, and test your knowledge of our community. Enjoy and have fun!!

The answers are at the end of the quiz. Keep track of your score and read exactly what your score indicates. If you would like- share your score on the Facebook or Massey Blog under the comments. 

1971 Illinois Boys Basketball State Tourney

 








Tuesday, May 12, 2026

Coaches’ Corner- Best Play That I Stole



















Coaches’ Corner- All of us “steal” or “share” plays with each other. This is a play that Ottawa and Coach Mike Cooper ran against us one summer. They scored 3-4 layups and hit 2-3 threes off this play. We put it, and it became our best play for several years. 

1989 Streaks Baseball- State 3-Peat & 3rd Place Finish

















The 1989 Silver Streaks made Galesburg baseball’s third straight trip to State. Only three other teams in IHSA history ever made three trips in a row to State- Limestone, Belleville East, and Springfield Griffin. 

After winning the State Championship in 1988, the ‘89 team’s goal was not to just make it to State. Only one other team had won back to back State Championships in IHSA history, Maine West in 1957-8. 

Monday, May 11, 2026

Streaks Alumni Profile- Lorenzo Pugh 1999 & Erin Pugh 2000












Today’s Streaks Alumni Profile features Lorenzo Pugh (GHS 1999) and Erin Wilson Pugh (GHS 2000). 

It is always great when GHS grads choose live in Galesburg after graduation. Anyone who goes to Silver Streaks basketball games has seen Lorenzo, Erin, and their 3 boys at games. Erin is GHS cheerleading coach.



 










Lorenzo and Erin certainly have a positive impact on our school and our community!

Sunday, May 10, 2026

This Week in Galesburg History (May 11, 2026)

 






Four Streaks legends- Chuck Bednar, Roland Hegg, Mike Campbell, and Josh Eiker were all in the news during this week. 


This is a look back at the history of Galesburg (and the world). What was going on 100 years ago, 75 years ago, 50 years ago, 25 years ago, and 10 years ago this week? 

1945 Illinois Boys Basketball State Tourney

























State Champions- Decatur

2nd in State- Champaign

3rd in State- Quincy

4th in State- Moline

Coaches’ Corner- OB into Quick Stagger and More
















This is a nice play out of a baseline OB where you get into a quick stagger action for a shooter. There are also options to have a slip and to have a second stagger. 

Saturday, May 9, 2026

My Scout Report- Good Listening, Bad Listening (5-9-26)











My observations after another week of basketball and another week of retirement…

Greatest Galesburg Player of All-Time- My Mom


 Over the years, people have asked who would be my all-time starting five in Galesburg girls basketball, or who I think is the all-time best girls player in GHS history. Usually I respond with something like,”There are too many good players to decide on that.” 

For me as the coach of girls basketball, I have a bunch of all-time favorite players. When it comes to all-time best GHS player- it is obvious to me who the all-time best player has been. While I know a coach should not share their opinion, I am willing to tell you who I think is the all-time best GHS basketball player!!

Friday, May 8, 2026

Coaches’ Corner- 10 Questions About the Shot Clock Coaches Must Answer






















In Illinois, high school basketball will be adding the shot clock next season. Every coach has watched colleges and the pros play with the shot clock so I am sure most coaches have a few strategies in mind as they prepare for the season. Here are 8 questions that each coach must answer in regards to the shot clock…

Thursday, May 7, 2026

1988 State Baseball Champs- The Players Share Their Memories

 
















The 1988 Silver Streaks baseball team won the Illinois State Championship. Only four teams in GHS history have won a State championship. 

I caught up some of the players and asked them to share their memories of that special year. They share what they think made their team a special team. 

Wednesday, May 6, 2026

Streaks Alumni Profile- Mike Yeager 1983



















Today’s Streaks Alumni Profile features Mike Yeager from the GHS class of 1983. 

Massey Quiz #44- Flowers













This week’s quiz is testing your knowledge of flowers. I will show you a picture of a flower, you identify what the flower is. 

The answers are at the end of the quiz. Keep track of your score and read exactly what your score indicates. If you would like- share your score on the Facebook or Massey Blog under the comments. 

Coaches’ Corner- Iverson Curl with Pop for Three













Coaches’ Corner- A popular action is to run Iverson cut during a game and then have the cutter curl to the basket. An addition to this is to have the post pop after the curl for an open three. 

Tuesday, May 5, 2026

1944 Illinois Boys Basketball State Tourney
















State Champions- Taylorville

2nd in State- Elgin

3rd in State- Chicago South Shore

4th in State- Champaign

Strength in Numbers: Building a Culture of Strength and Fitness at Galesburg HS




Anyone who has gone by Wicall Gym just East of GHS may be surprised to see the new addition. The complex includes a wrestling room so the wrestler don’t use the tiny balconies anymore, an indoor area designed for both softball and baseball indoor workouts, and a weight room with increased space. 

I asked the P.E. Department Chair, Jim Noonan if I could come over and watch one his classes in the new weight room. I was so impressed by what is going on. 

HOF Insights- Helping Athletes With An Out of Control Parent













Helping Athletes with an Out of Control Parent

It is a delicate situation stepping into the middle of the relationship between parents and their child. Parents don’t want to hear a coach tell them how to parent. And no matter how tough the situation is for an athlete, they don’t want to hear a coach criticizing Mom or Dad.  


While parents may feel like they are only trying to help their child to become a better player, the parent can sometimes choke any fun out of the sports experience for their child. 


The overbearing parent who needs to yell instructions during the game may only create confusion and errors in their child. The parent who wants to “go over the game” and give corrections may create stress or create questions about their coach. The parent who pushes the player to “get a scholarship” can put unbearable pressure. 


Unfortunately all of us have seen a player who is just getting buried with the stress of a dynamics parent. How have you tried to help a player who has a parent who is overbearing? 

Monday, May 4, 2026

Streaks Alumni Profile- Phil Goodman 1982


















Today’s Streaks Alumni Profile features Phil Goodman from the GHS class of 1982. 

Galesburg’s Time Capsule- This Week in History (May 4, 2026)


 

















This is a look back at the history of Galesburg (and the world). What was going on 100 years ago, 75 years ago, 50 years ago, 25 years ago, and 10 years ago this week? 

Coaches’ Corner- Screen Action into Ball Screen





















This is a set that starts with a guard-post screen that a guard has to help on, and then immediately into a ball screen. 

Saturday, May 2, 2026

My Scout Report- Big Men, Big Benches, Big Predictions (5-2-26)
















My observations of another week of retirement and another week of basketball…

Coaches’ Corner- Tony Soprano’s Lesson



















We can learn a lot about coaching from different sources. In Season 6 in the “Luxury Lounge” ratified of the Soprano’s, Tony Soprano tries to help his good friend, Artie Bucco. Artie runs a restaurant that has hit hard times and is not doing well. 

Coaches’ Corner- Running Flex into 4 Different Actions














Many coaches run some kind of flex action. Some coaches get into the action in a quick and simple way, and others run some false action to get into it. 

I am going to show you one way to get into flex that was copied from Carthage, but then show 4 different possible actions after the initial flex action.

Friday, May 1, 2026

Names of Distinction: The Heritage of Galesburg HS Facilities

















Through the years, District #205 has chosen to honor some teachers, coaches, and directors for their service and their excellence. 

At one time Galesburg had named entire buildings in honor of administrators and teachers. Irma Gale School, Rose Hoben Welch School, Mary Allen West School, Nellie Swanson School, and William Steele School are examples of recognition of individuals for their service to Galesburg schools and students. 

Starting in 1970, District #205 honored long-time football and track coach, C.C. VanDyke by naming the new GHS football field in his honor. Since that time, former GHS students, teachers, coaches, and directors have had similar recognition. I have been included in this group, as they are going to name the basketball court in my honor. 

Massey Quiz #46- Doors of Galesburg











I have fifteen pictures of Galesburg DOORS

The quiz is designed to celebrate how wonderful Galesburg is, and test your knowledge of our community. Enjoy and have fun!!

Coaches’ Corner- Carthage Flex Offense


 












This is a basic set that Coach Bierry ran with his great Carthage teams, and was continued by Coach Lapp. It was successful for Carthage for well over a decade. 

Of course I stole the play and put it in. It became a basic play for us for over two decades. 

Thursday, April 30, 2026

1988 Streaks Baseball- State Champions- “The Record Speaks for Itself”














While Galesburg HS had a rich tradition in athletics, going into the 1987-8 school year only three Silver Streaks had ever won an IHSA Team State Championship. The 1913 boys basketball team, 1963 boys golf, and 1972 boys golf teams were GHS’s only 3 State Champs. The 1988 Streaks boys baseball team became the 4th Illinois State Champs. 

Wednesday, April 29, 2026

Coaches’ Corner- Iverson Curl













Most teams run an Iverson action for one of their best players, just to get them the ball on a wing with their defender maybe out of position so they can have open shot or a good angle to drive baseline. To prevent this, teams will work hard to get the defender to follow right behind the guard on their cut. This is an easy counter for the cutter. 

Streaks Alumni Profile- Whitney Dehler Hanlon 2009



















Today’s Streaks Alumni Profile features Whitney Dehler Hanlon from the GHS class of 2009.