Indiana Fever- Will the Band Stay Together

Lou Dort- Dort has been an important part of the OKC Thunder for the last several years. He has been the tough, physical defender they could put on the other team’s best players. 

This Spring, OKC traded Dort to Dallas. Being young, and being good, the return should be good. Nope. OKC got three 2nd round draft picks, spread over ‘27, ‘31, and ‘31. The trade was a cash dump, OKC could not afford to pay their top players and keep Dort. So they dumped Dort to create cap space. 

This Week in Galesburg History (Aug 17, 2026)

 

“This Week in Galesburg History,” there was a wedding in the sky, Bradley player banned for life, and the Kleine’s gave $1.5 million to OSF. 

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 each Monday on WGIL website and Massey Basketball Blog. 

Coaches’ Corner- Managing Shot Clock at End of Quarters

Normally, the major decision at the end of quarters with the shot clock is whether a coach wants to go 2 for 1 possessions. In the NBA with the 24 second shot clock. If a team gets the ball with 40 seconds to go in the quarter, does a team want to shoot by 30 seconds to go, so they can get a second possession. 

In high school with a 35 second shot clock, it could still be possible. If a team gets the ball with 55 seconds left in a quarter, they would want to shoot by 45 seconds to get the second possession. 

But there is another end of quarter strategy coaches are more likely to want to use. 

1970 Illinois Boys Basketball State Tourney

1994 Galesburg Legion Baseball Program

The following is a program from the collection of Jim & June O’Brien.

The 1994 Legion Baseball Team

Head Coach- Mike Sturgeon

Ass’t Coaches- Mike White, Joe Steck, Ed Leahy, Sean Kane

Players- Brad Davis, Jeremy Dickerson, Chris Garbarini, Shawn Hickey, Jeremy Howard, Kent Jones, Scott Lewis, John Lindstrom, Brian Long, Craig McLaren, Kevin Murphy, Andy Nemeth, Pat Parrish, Jason Reid, Shad Steck, Kevin Vest, Dylan Voyles, Mick White.

GHS Class of 1965 Graduation

These are items from the collection of June (Plym) O’Brien. She kept the programs from the ‘65 baccalaurreate ceremony, ‘65 GHS graduation ceremony, and exchanged class pictures of some of her best friends. 

1977 Illinois Boys Basketball Class A State Tourney

State Champions- Madison

Massey Quiz #58- Famous People From Illinois

This week’s quiz is looking at famous people from Illinois. I will give you a famous person, and you need to say what Illinois city they are from. 

Streaks Alumni Profile- Barb (Knapp) Lindquist 1976

Today’s Streaks Alumni Profile features Barb (Knapp) Lindquist from the Galesburg HS Class of 1976.

29 Tips for Coaches & Players

This is a collection of posts from Twitter and Facebook designed to help coaches and players as they strive to reach their goals. 

Galesburg Little League- Nothing Little About It

There was nothing “little” about Galesburg Little League back in the old days. The program that was geared to 9-12 year olds was at the center of summer life in Galesburg for many decades. 

2000- Steve Tucker Looks at First 100 Years of IHSA Girls Basketball

In the 2000 IHSA State Girls Basketball Tourney Program, Steve Tucker looked at the history of girls basketball in Illinois from 1900-2000. Tucker was the legendary writer for the Chicago Sun-Times. 

Tucker looks back at attempts to organize girls basketball in the early 1900’s. After the start of the IHSA Girls State Tourneys, Tucker looks at the best players, teams, and coaches. 

Streaks Alumni Profile- Debbie DeGraff 1976

Today’s Streaks Alumni Profile features Debbie DeGraff from the GHS Class of 1976. 

This Week in Galesburg History (August 10, 2026)

 

“This Week in Galesburg History,” Jimmy Isaacson and Michael Phelps kept on winning, and Martie’s Supper Club was having great food and great music. 

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 each Monday at WGIL website and Massey Basketball Blog. 

1969 Illinois Boys Basketball State Tourney

State Champions- Proviso East

1966 Silver Streaks- Tom Wilson’s Scrapbook

This is a collection from Tom Wilson’s scrapbook. These are items on the 1966 basketball team, cheerleaders, and Polly Gamble.

Coaches’ Corner- Learning How To Handle Ball Screen Defenses

Ball screens are a major part of most offenses in today’s basketball. Both the ball handler and the screener need to know exactly what they are going to do vs different ball screen defensive coverages.

13 Original Rules, Patent for First Ball, & History of Rules Changes

I have attached an article that explains the founding of the game of basketball, and includes…

1- The first 13 rules of basketball.

2- The patent for the first basketball. 

3- And have two additional articles that trace the history of changes in the rules of basketball. 

1965 Silver Streaks- Tom Wilson’s Scrapbook

These are clipping from Tom Wilson’s scrapbook, looking at the 1965 Silver Streaks. 

Streaks Alumni Profile- Mindi (Pampel) Ritchie 1995

Today’s Streaks Alumni Profile features Mindi (Pampel) Ritchie from the GHS Class of 1995. 

Massey Quiz #57- Vocabulary Test

Here is a test of 15 vocabulary words and definitions. I will give you a definition and three possible words to go with the definition. Pick out the correct word. 

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- Last Second Plays at End of Quarters

Whether it is NBA, WNBA, college, or high school basketball, when the other team scores with seconds left in a game, coaches will usually take a time out to set a length of the court play. 

The Connection Between Knox College and Michael Jordan

If you are a basketball fan, you know about Michael Jordan. To many, Jordan is considered the all-time GOAT when it comes to basketball. He won 5 regular season MVP’s, 6 finals MVP’s, and 6 NBA titles with the Chicago Bulls. While most know about Michael, few probably know about Michael’s connection to Knox College in Galesburg.

Streaks Alumni Profile- Jane Albright 1987

Today’s Streaks Alumni Profile features Jane Albright of the GHS Class of 1987.

1976 Illinois Boys Basketball Class A State Tourney

State Champions- Mt. Pulaski

This Week in Galesburg History (Aug 3, 2026)

 

“This Week in Galesburg History,” there is a famous house in the news, Joe Morrissey shares some local sports stories, and Harley Knosher wins a championship. 

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 each Monday on the WGIL website and Massey Basketball Blog. 

1998 Illinois Girls Basketball Class AA State Tourney

State Champions- Loyola

Streaks In Skirts- GHS Field Hockey Was a State Power

1970’s- Adding Girls Sports

In the Fall of 1972, Galesburg HS added girls sports. For the school year of 1972-3 GHS competed in volleyball, basketball, bowling, badminton, track, softball, and field hockey. The IHSA provided a unique schedule which seemed to offer two fall season so athletes could play both volleyball and field hockey if they chose. 

Beyond the Arc- Art Fish & Bill Veeck

Bill Veeck

In basketball once you start shooting from beyond the three point arc, things can get wild. In this series, I am going to share some stories that may seem a little wild too. 

“Beyond the Arc” is a series that looks at the unusual from the past. Stories from our history, both locally and nationally. Some are from the sports world and others just from the world. Some are stories I have read about and others are legends passed down to me.

Massey Quiz #59- People with Animal Nicknames

 

Some people have animal nicknames. I am going to show you a picture of someone famous, your job is to say what their animal nickname was or is. 

7 Things HS Players Can Learn from the Indiana Fever

As young players- JH, HS, and college- hopefully as you watch games, you watch the games as a student of the game. A student of the game studies movements away from the ball, how teams handle ball screens, how individuals get open, how teammates interact on and off the court. Quite simply a student of the game should be looking for “secrets of success” from players. 

Here are seven things that a student of the game can learn from the Indiana Fever…

Massey Basketball Quiz #3- Legendary HS Coaches & Teams

This quiz tests your knowledge of Ilinois HS legendary teams, coaches, and players. 

1968 Silver Streaks- 2nd in State- Tom Wilson’s Scrapbook

The following newspaper pictures from the 1968 Silver Streaks are from the collection of Tom Wilson’s scrapbook. The Streaks under Coach John Thiel took 2nd in State. 

Streaks Alumni Profile- Bob Darrah 1964

Today’s Streaks Alumni Profile features Bob Darrah from the GHS Class of 1964.