This week will be a busy week of basketball at GHS’s Thiel Gym. There are four people who will make sure things run smoothly- Jeff Lamb, Marla Clay, Brett Wolfe, and Jeanine Bryant. The four are the regulars at the scorer’s table. No matter how close and tense games are, they keep things under control.
Jeff, Marla, Brett, and Jeanine are a real team, working well together. These four are appreciated by both Streaks’ coaches and by the opposing coaches.
Starting this month, basketball teams will battle to see who is #1 in the State. As far as scorer’s tables, it is already decided. Galesburg’s scoring table is #1 in Illinois!!
To shine some light on these workers, I asked them a few questions…
Jeff Lamb- P.A. Announcer
When did you start working basketball games?
I started doing boys games in 2017-18 season. Then started with the girls in 2024-25 season. I owe this chance to our friend Pete Theirry. Pete heard me doing games at Costa and Knox. He suggested I contact the high school about being their announcer. I grew up in the era that everyone wanted to be a Silver Streak. I never was good enough to earn a spot on the team but now I get to be a part of the Silver Streak Family.
What are some of the challenges of your job…
Making sure you get the calls from the referee's right. Keep the crowd informed on what is going on in the game. The most important thing is getting the names of visiting players correct. Sitting near the visiting fans the Moms will let you know if you are wrong.
Best part of working the games?
I have a great seat for watching. But the thing I love the most is being close enough to hear the coaches as they direct their players. You get a different perspective of the Referee's and how hard their job is.
Who are some of your favorite opposing coaches…
I enjoy talking to Sean Taylor (Moline) and Eddie Mathews (Limestone) They both are funny guys who have a great perspective on our sport and life in general. During the games I like to see how they interact with the assistants.
What are some of the best games you have worked…
That's a hard question, doing our tournaments and shootouts we get to see great games between teams we don't get a chance to watch during the regular season. There are a couple of games that standout in my mind and they both are recent. The first one was Coach Demott's first win as a Varsity head coach. You could tell she was a little nervous and when the final score was on the board there was a look of relief and happiness on her face. That was a great moment for her and, we at the table(Marla Clay, Jeanine Bryant and Brent Wolf), were very happy for her.
Another one was Coach Theils first game this year. We had 3 players score 20 points or more. The Quincy game on Feb 6th of this year was also right up there. That was the first time since 2021 since we beat Quincy and it came on out home floor. I was very happy for our seniors that had never beaten Quincy. Some of these men I've know since they were playing at Costa in 5th Grade.
Marla brings treats, what is your favorite treat…
She brings so many different kinds of gum, candy and cookies but my favorite is the chocolate covered peanut clusters she makes.
Marla Clay- Official Scorer
When did you start working basketball games?
1. I believe I started in the early 2000 working freshmen games. I started subbing for boys' basketball when Jeff Houston was coaching. Every time I subbed that year the Streaks won, so Houston said I obviously needed to be there permanently. LOL! When Linda Giger retired, I started working the girls', too.
What are some of the challenges of your job…
The biggest challenge is making sure you see the court. You have coaches and officials blocking your view. Our table does a great job of talking throughout the game calling out who is shooting and what officials are signaling. I do appreciate officials that have good mechanics because it makes our job easier at the table. Obviously, my most important job is having the score correct!
Best part of working the games?
The people I work with! We all love the Streaks and love seeing them succeed on the court! Our comments are positive and we all understand that mistakes happen. You move on and make the next play better! It's also fun getting to know the opposing coaches, players, and officials.
Who are some of your favorite opposing coaches…
The coaches in the Western Big 6 are great individuals! Most take the time to check in with the table and visit before the game gets rolling. Coach Taylor is fun. When he was at Quincy, he always wore a sweater vest. Our student body started wearing sweater vest at the games and he loved it! He obviously gave up the sweater vest when he went to Moline. Coach Douglas, Coach Ford, Coach Saey, Coach Hall, Coach Vasquez are all fun to work with! We also spend a lot of time getting to know the assistant coaches. I have probably made a lot to friend with the assistant coaches due to the treats at the table. I always love talking to Coach Damon Colvin and Coach Toby Whitman.
What are some of the best games you have worked…
The Galesburg vs Rock Island games with Victor Davis and Chasson Randle were intense. I also loved the games against them in the 2013-2015 season with Gibson, Meeker. There was a game in the MLK tournament against Maine South. The assistant coach asked me about our team, I said obviously Eric Price is our leading scorer, but I believe Jaylin McCants is going to have a breakout game soon. After the game, the assistant coach said to me, well you warned me! I'm not sure who we were playing when Jaylin did a 360 dunk. The gym went nuts! I believe it was the top dunk of the year on Max Preps!
For the Girls', the Geneseo game in the 23-24 season was exciting. Last year, there were tons of great games, Dunlap comes to mind. But the most memorable game for me, I was not at the table. Taylor Young hit a 3 pointer to send us to overtime against Morton. It was so loud in the gym! You have to love Thiel Gym when it is full and rockin"!
You brings treats, what is your favorite treat…
Hopefully, the table will say they're terrible and I need to stop
Brett Wolfe- Timer
When did you start working basketball games?
1)I first began working at the scorer's table during the 1980s - under GHS coaches Barry Swanson, Ed Sennett, and Dave Peck. Those first experiences were as a student, assisting as needed. When I returned to GHS as a teacher and coach in the mid-90's, I jumped back into some of those roles. I have done various duties,,,,but most recently I have been the timer. I run the game clock and game horn.
What are some of the challenges of your job…
2)As far as timing, it is very important to be accurate with both the start and stop times. I have to keep my eyes and ears on the court and in tune with the officials whistle and mechanic gestures at all times. Buzzing players in and out at the appropriate times is also something that is important to get right. There are designated times when players can and can not enter so it's important to know those sorts of things.
Best part of working the games?
The best part of working games all the years is simply getting to see such great basketball.....players, programs, coaches, officials, etc. I really enjoy watching the progression of players over their careers. It's a lot of fun to watch the ebb and flow of programs, as well. Of course, it makes it better when you are surrounded by caring, professional and efficient table workers - which I have been lucky to have experienced for many, many years.
Who are some of your favorite opposing coaches…
Interacting with coaches has been one of the best parts of the job. I have been front and center for many interesting coaches. Coach (Duncan) Reid at Rock Island was always such fun because he might "act" like he was really mad about something, while giving you a "wink and a smile." Loren Wallace (Quincy) was very intense, Coach VanSyoc (Manual) was always the gentleman. It was always fun when a former Galesburg coach would return (Dexter, Sigel, Webber, Reynolds). I always respected Coach Rux (GHS sophomore girls) because he was so enthusiastic and coached from horn to horn regardless of the situation. Coach Taylor at Moline just gets the best out of his kids each and every year. Former Alleman coach Jay Hatch was so consistent and successful. There have been so many wonderful coaches to watch over the years, including a guy named Massey.
What are some of the best games you have worked…
I've been fortunate to see some remarkable games while working at Thiel. It's hard to name only a few. The atmosphere of the boys 97-98 season was simply remarkable every night. The sustained success of the GHS girls program is unmatched. Both boys and girls have provided Streaks fans with amazing games in Thiel Gym. I can say this......I don't think Thiel Gym has ever been louder than when Taylor Young drained a half-court, 3-pointer at the buzzer to send the sectional final to OT.
Marla brings treats, what is your favorite treat…
As many know, former GHS volleyball coach Marla Clay has served as the official scorer at Thiel for many years. Every game, for countless years, she brings treats (all kinds, most are homemade) to share with all the participants. Coach Clay has been the single greatest goodwill ambassador for GHS that I have ever seen. Players, coaches, and officials from all over the state of Illinois mob the scorers table for her goodies.They don't forget the special goodies that Marla brings for them. She even has little "goody bags" for some of her out of town favorites. The time she puts into providing those treats for both the Galesburg kids and our opponents is amazing. Every night, every game.
Me? I've never turned anything down. They are all GREAT - like Coach Clay!
Jeanine Bryant- Scoreboard
When did you start working basketball games?
I started in the fall of 1997 with a couple of girls games which quickly turned into also doing the boys games. Mike Hellenthal had shared with Steve he didn't have a consistent person for the position, and I offered to learn the "new" scoreboard.
What are some of the challenges of your job…
My biggest challenge is to keep the information accurate on the board. Although the scoreboard is not official, most coaches use the side stats for fouls. The referees use it to know when the teams are going into the bonus. The good thing is we all (Brett and Marla) repeat the foul out loud to one another. And Jeff does a great job announcing "Foul is on #54, Betty White, her 2nd, team 4th". That gives me clarification that I have the stats correctly on the board.
Best part of working the games?
The best part of working the games have been the people I have met over the years. I have worked with several announcers, although Jeff has been consistent for years now. Too many timers and bookkeepers to count. Although Lance and Jeremy kept me entertained for a lot of years! For the past several years, we have had the same people at the table, and that is quite helpful. We know how important communication is. The players, the coaches, the families, the fans: I have met so many people, made so many friends, throughout the years. That has been the best part of working the games.
Who are some of your favorite opposing coaches…
Coaches: For the boys: Gordy Kerkman of Aurora West and Tony Lavorato of Maine South made impressions on me because of the respect their players had for them and they had successful programs. Sean Taylor is someone I enjoy watching coach. He is animated, but in a good way.
For the girls, I have to start with Jay Hatch and his staff. His teams were well prepared, always competitive. (There was one season where the Alleman girls played more games on our floor than they did on their own home floor because they were involved in our tournaments, but I digress) He was always personable, with a great sense of humor. And Rod Leatherman of Rock Island was another coach that enjoyed working with.
What are some of the best games you have worked…
Back in the late 90's when East St. Louis and Aurora West were coming for the Thanksgiving tournament: Oh my goodness! Packed gyms, amazing atmospheres. One of my first memories of the fun it could be to be in the middle of it all.
Girls Senior Night against Rocky when we won at the buzzer to win the Conference, broken play Bicego to Stephan. That's how I remember it, anyway!
The Sectional game that went into OT when Taylor hit the half court 3 (again, how I remember it)against Morton. The loudest I have ever heard the gym be, even the boys game against Moline in 97-98, which were other games I haven't seen the likes of since.
The seasons where we gave away triple cheeseburger coupons for 13 3's in a game, the paper airplane fly ins, the Conference games with the Band and the Gadets. I enjoyed the "5 in 5 out" years, too.
The tournament days when there are 8 games and we get to meet new teams and coaches. The memories keep flooding back.
So many memories, so much laughter, friendships made, and honestly pure joy. The best "job" I have ever had.
Marla brings treats, what is your favorite treat…
My favorite treat is not one of Marla's. although her orange flavored Lifesavers are great! It will always be Bob's striped candy. Early on it was candy sticks, 20 to a bag, but the required pregame treat, to quell acidy stomachs and honestly, a superstition. They were handed out pregame, like a mystical experience. Now, they come in round form, wrapped up all sanitary individually and I keep them at the table. Mainly for me, for the memories, and yes, the acidy stomachs the games sometimes give me.
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