1959 Carr, Cowan, Nixon, Cox, Cannon, Nichols

The 1959 Silver Streak basketball team may have been the best basketball team in Galesburg history. They lost only one regular season game, and they were ranked #1 in the State most of the season. They finished the regular season as the #1 ranked team in Illinois. 

Jimmie Carr- I Was So Excited I Couldn't Sleep

Jimmie Carr as a senior

 The 1959 Streaks basketball team was ranked #1 for much of the year, and went onto take Third in State. When veteran Streaks fans talk about the ’59 team, it always turns to the story about the transfer of Bumpy Nixon from Quincy to Galesburg.

Very few Streaks fans realize the story about the “other transfer” that made the ’59 team. Something big happened at Mary Allen West School on one day in December of 1950. Early in the day, a young African-American boy from Texas walked into enroll in fourth grade. Shortly after, another African-American boy from Arkansas walked into enroll in fourth grade. Jimmie Carr was coming from Texas, and Otis Cowan was coming from Arkansas. That day, their fourth grade teacher, Miss Witherspoon recognized the unusual event. She instructed the boys that since they were both new and both lived in the same neighborhood, they should plan to become friends. As wise as Miss Witherspoon was, she didn’t realize that she was greeting one of the greatest guard tandems who would ever play for Galesburg High School.  

Talking with Jimmy: What If They Had Three Point Arc Earlier?

The three point shot was instituted by the IHSA in 1987. Jay Redfern did several articles ahead of the 1987-8 season where he asked people what they thought the impact of the three point shot would be on basketball. 

Showing my inability to see into the future, I said that I thought the only time it would have impact was on end of quarter desperation shots. By 2011, the Streaks girls set a National Record making 397 threes in a season. 

Leave to a ref to understand the game better. Dave Hasley told Redfern the three point line was going to eliminate congestion inside, and allow teams to come from behind easier. 

In the late ‘80’s and early ‘90’s, the three was seldom used. Ted Trueblood’s FS team took a grand total of 12 threes in 18 games. 

So while players like Jason Shay, Tommy Warner, and Johnny Watson had a three point line, the shot just wasn’t taken as much as today. The same would be true for Tiffany Sibley, Molly Watson, and Ami Pendry on the girls side. 

Galesburg girls ran the Grinnell System in 2007-2011. During that time, Galesburg set a National Record making 397 threes in a season, and Jess Howard a State record making 139 threes in a season. The Streaks hit over 20 threes in five games, and even took 72 three attempts in one game. But that approach is an outlier. 

In the last 20 years, shooting threes has taken off. In 2023-4 season, with women’s college teams 34% of their shots were threes, for men’s college 39% were threes, and in the NBA 40% threes. The NBA champs that year, the Celtics, took 47% of their shots as threes. Basketball has become a different game. 

Beau Spencer- Great Announcer & Super Tweeter

Beau Spencer did not work long at WAIK but he sure made a positive impression with his work in covering sports. He made all of the high school athletes feel important. Beau was able to cover the games without focusing on the refs or second guessing strategy.

Since I have gotten onto twitter, Beau is definitely one of the top to follow. I enjoy following his observations.

You went to Annawan High School. What sports did you play?

I played baseball all the way up to high school.  We didn't have a high school team, so I "retired" from the game after 8th grade.  Played football and basketball my freshman and sophomore years.

 Great basketball players coming out of Annawan- Tanner Carlson and Val Wancken. Where do you fit into the basketball tradition? 

Actually, Tanner grew up right behind me and he would mix it up with us neighborhood guys.  I can say that I beat him.  He was about 8-years old, and I was in high school, and then he ended up with the better stats, so on paper he may be better...but I proved it on the court, LOL.

(It should be noted that Tanner Carlson is student teaching with me this fall. I think probably it was actually Beau in college and Tanner as a 6 year old if Beau won!)

Classic- 1966 Galesburg vs Costa

 Biggest Game in Galesburg Basketball History

If Galesburg fans were asked to name the “greatest game in Galesburg history,” they probably would have a whole lot of games

to choose from. 1956 Rockford West in Super, 1965 Pekin at Galesburg, 1966 Springfield, 1969 Proviso East at Galesburg, 1976 Richwoods at Galesburg, and 1998 Whitney Young. And you could even add in girls games with 1995 Quincy in Sectional, 1996 vs Freeport, 1997 vs Taylorville, and 1999 vs Loyola. 

My point is that there have been a lot of “great” games in Galesburg basketball history, but I believe the “biggest” game in the City of Galesburg history took place in 1966 when Galesburg HS played Costa HS for the Regional championship. Both teams from the same town, and both teams good enough to make a real splash in the State Tournament. 

2025 Streaks- 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!

2025 Streaks- Fans Look Back

The 2024-5 Silver Streaks pressured their way to an outstanding 24-8 season. In the Western Big Six, Galesburg finished in 2nd with an 11-3 record. They raced thru the field at the Mattoon Christmas Tourney before dropping a close game in the championship to state power, Teutopolis. Galesburg finished the regular season ranked #13 in the final AP 3A State Poll, and were #9 in MaxPreps rankings. 

The 2024-5 Streaks’ season was exciting and one that fans enjoyed. I asked some Streaks fans and media their impressions of the team and the season. 

Massey Quiz #29- People of Galesburg

I have fifteen Galesburg pictures of the past and present. There may be pictures of places, people, monuments, parts of buildings, and even more. 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. 

Streaks Scrapbook- 1957 Boys Elite 8

1957- Boys-Elite 8     

23-7                         

(State Rank-Unranked)

To understand the 1957 Silver Streaks, and more importantly to understand their significance, one needs to take a step back and look Illinois and Galesburg during this period of time. Galesburg was founded by George Washington Gale, a Presbyterian minister, who was a strong abolitionists. Galesburg has a rich and proud history connected with anti-slavery and the Underground Railroad. There is a huge difference between people being anti-slavery and people being for racial equality. By 1957 Galesburg was like many rural communities, still struggling with the concept of racial equality. 

By the year 1950, only 2 African-Americans had ever been allowed to play for the Galesburg High School basketball team. The story is told by older African-Americans of the excitement of an all-black intramural team in the 1940’s beating the Silver Streak varsity team in an arranged game. Pete Thierry, a 1953 grad, became only the third African-American allowed to play for GHS. 

Streaks Boys Basketball: 37 Memorable Games

There have been many great games in the history of Galesburg HS boys basketball. Here are 33 “Memorable Games.” 

These games are listed in chronological order. If you think there are games missing, share them in the comments on the blog. And if you want to add memories or details about any of the games, share them in the comments on the blog.