The Inside Scoop

March 25, 2002

With the records updated, that pretty much concludes another season of Streaks basketball. If I can ever figure out how to do some different web design stuff, I will be making some changes over the summer. Maybe some pictures, maybe a newsletter...hmmmm, not sure yet...just keep checking back to see just what is going on. Till then...

February 26, 2002

We're back! Pretty bad timing for the web page to go down, and now that it is back up, we have run out of games. Over the next weeks I hope to have everything linked back up so be patient with some of the old stuff.

February 3, 2002

Over the last three games, the GHS sophomores have been to the charity stripe more than 100 times. 104 times to be exact; connecting on 78 of those attempts for a FT% of 75%.

February 1, 2002

The sophomore 65-39 win over East Moline last night coupled with Rock Island's 42-40 win over Moline gave the GHS sophomores sole possession of first place in the Western Big 6's sophomore standings and clinched no less than a share of the sophomore conference title. GHS finishes the Western Big 6 portion of their schedule at 7-3 in the conference. This year's conference title marks the 5th conference title since 1990 and its second consecutive conference title.

January 18, 2002

In last night's sophomore win over Quincy's sophomores, Galesburg's Brittany Stephan set two sophomore marks going 14-14 at the line to best Ashley Shepherd's 10-10 outing vs. East Moline on January 21, 1999, and she beat Stefanie Mitchell's mark of 11 free throws in a game set on December 3, 1991. Congratulations Brittany!

January 16, 2002

Pending IHSA approval, the Limestone sectional will go like this.

1-Galesburg
2-Peoria (Notre Dame)
3-Peoria (Woodruff)
4-Peoria (Richwoods)
5-Bartonville (Limestone)
6-Normal (Community)
7-Canton
8-Metamora
9-Peoria HS
10-Morton
11-East Peoria
12-Washington
13-Pekin
14-Normal (West)
15-Pontiac
16-Peoria (Manual)

January 5, 2002

Evan Massey is currently in his 24th year as head coach at Galesburg High School. Massey entered the season with a 483-186 (.722) career record and has coached the Streaks to fourteen straight 20-win seasons. Today, Coach Massey joins the 500 win mark.

As Evan Massey entered his 24th season at Galesburg High School, he has established both the Streaks basketball program and himself as two of the preeminent figures on the high school basketball landscape. Last season Massey guided his Streaks to a 31-8 record and a fourth place finish in the IHSA 2000 Class AA State Basketball Tournament. Last year's finish made it the sixth straight year the Galesburg team has finished in the state finals and the seventh straight state appearance. Since 1990, Evan Massey has posted a 310-55 (.849) record with a third place finish in 1996, a fourth place finish in 1997, 2000, 2001, an Elite-Eight appearance in 1998, to go along 1999's second place finish. Whether it's the, five Final Four appearances, 14 consecutive 20 win seasons, ten Western Big 6 Conference titles, or one of the state's best winning percentage over the past 11 seasons, winning basketball and Galesburg High School go hand-in-hand.

In the spring of 2000, Coach Massey was elected into the Illinois Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame while being selected as the State Coach of the Year in 1997 and in 1999 by the Illinois Girls Coaching Association. Also in 1997, Massey was selected as the National Federation of Coaches State Coach of the Year and Regional Coach of the Year. On November 25, 2000, Coach Massey was inducted into the GHS Athletic Hall of Fame making him only the second active coach (the other being former longtime baseball coach Gary Bruington) ever inducted into the GHS Athletic Hall of Fame.

Since taking over the girls' program in 1978, Coach Massey has sent 27 players on to play college basketball. (NAIA- Sara Wood, Brenda Stewart, Amy Crisman; Division III- Michelle Flaar, Jennifer Bulkeley, Christy Hickey, Jeni Miller, Cammi Heimann, Trisha Hickey, Linda Clevidence, Linda Carlson, Vicki Fields, Kelly Foxall, Jenny Carr, Connie Reno, Carol Wallenfelz; Division II- Jaque Howard, Sarah Larson, Angie Glayean, Ami Pendry, Shannon Johnson; Division I- Molly Watson, Bonny Apsey, Amber West, Ann Henderson, Tiffany Sibley, Debbie Roberts, Lesa Moore).

Most Wins at the beginning of 2001-2002 season

713*, Dorothy Gaters, Chicago (Marshall), 1975-2001 (713-77)
518*, Dennis Koester, Teutopolis, 1983-2001, (518-56)
507*, David Power, Hillside (Proviso West), 1977-82, Westchester (Immaculate Heart of Mary), 1982-92, Oak Park (Fenwick), 1992-2001 (507-174)
493*, Rich Anderson, Seneca, 1980-2000, (493-67)
483, Zeleda Walker, Chicago (Morgan Park), 1976-78, 1980-99 (483-151)
478*, Evan Massey, Galesburg (H.S.), 1979-2001, (478-184)

Most Wins, One School at the beginning of 2001-2002 season

713*, Dorothy Gaters, Chicago (Marshall), 1975-2001, (713-77)
518*, Dennis Koester, Teutopolis, 1983-2001, (518-56)
493*, Rich Anderson, Seneca, 1980-2000, (493-67)
478*, Evan Massey, Galesburg (H.S.), 1979-2001, (478-184)
*still active (from the IHSA web site)

500 win articles

"Good kids help amass 500 wins" -- Peoria Journal Star.

Evan Massey wins #500

by John Ring of the Zephyr

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Saturday was a big day for Silver Streak Coach Evan Massey.

The Streaks had two wins that day against Geneseo and Sherrard.

The Wisconsin Badgers upset the Fighting Illini at Madison in a Big 10 conference game.

And -- oh yeah -- the win against Sherrard was the 500th in his coaching career at Galesburg.

Not bad for a guy who was rejected by Aledo and Limestone when he applied to teach there years ago. Not bad for a guy who didn't win a Regional Championship until his 10th season with the Streaks.

And not bad for a coach who has guided the Silver Streaks to an unprecedented six straight trips to the Elite Eight.

''I remember the first time I went to a basketball practice as a coach,'' said Massey. ''I was an assistant to Barry Swanson and the boys team. I had always been involved in basketball and there I was getting paid for it. It seemed weird.''

Times have changed. But Massey hasn't. Always quick to credit others, the Streaks coach quietly accepted congratulations on number 500.

''Our program has been blessed with great coaches like Steve Peachey, Mike Rux and Jay Barshinger who are wonderful with young people. We have players who are willing to work and are incredibly loyal. We have parents who support the players but step back and let the coaches coach. We also have great wives who put up with our moods and our hours.''

The time seemed right for an interview with a guy, who along with John Thiel, is responsible for making Galesburg a high school basketball mecca in the State of Illinois.

A lot of people talk about the system-- your system. A system that teaches the same offense, defense and fastbreak to the youngest basketball players in Galesburg. When did you start to focus on that part of the program?

When I first started coaching in boys basketball here, everyone talked about how coordinated the program had been under John Thiel. When I scouted for the boys, it was obvious that the better programs like Jerry Leggett at Quincy were doing the same things at that very level. So I think when I started coaching the girls program I wanted to try and coordinate it as much as possible. The problem for me early was I wasn't sure what I wanted to do and it was tough to coordinate it if you didn't have a system. It was developed gradually. A great example of our program was when Coach Tim Redington brought some of his basketball players to a high school game and one of his players commented, 'Look, the varsity is running our play!' What Coach Rux and Coach Peachey have done is unbelievable. I get the credit but they make things work.

At what point did you feel that girls basketball started to get some respect?

I think the Sectional win at Galesburg over Quincy is really a game that changed peoples' perceptions about girls basketball. We had a huge crowd and it was a great game with Stef Mitchell hitting the three toward the end. I think a lot of people started following us then.

What's the most rewarding thing about being a coach?

I really enjoy practices, the team feeling and the competition. Practices are never work, it's really fun trying to put together strategy. The sense of team with not only players but with the other coaches is unbelievable. Now with a son, it's really fun to have him around at practice. He has a really great indoor playground in the winter during practices. For now, fatherhood and coaching go together.

Your winning percentage as a coach is nearly 80 percent but how do you handle a loss?

It would probably be better if you asked my wife. At the end of the Moline game in the Sectionals at Streator, before Megan Pacheco hit the big three-point shot, Amy told Allen, 'You'll need to stay away from Daddy for the next few days because he's not going to be very happy.'

Aren't some losses harder than others?

Usually my wife and I do stats off the game tapes after I get home. I take notes on the game and give the girls the stats and a written analysis the next morning. Doing that and staying up after defeats helps handling that because you're doing something constructive. Some losses are harder than others. Last year's loss to Sterling was hard to shake as there were some last second situations that I felt I miscoached.

Do you remember your first visit to Galesburg?

My mother, Marjorie Evans, was raised in Galesburg and graduated from GHS. My grandparents lived in Galesburg so I visited regularly. I interviewed for jobs teaching at Limestone and Aledo but they rejected me so when I was offered the job here I was thrilled.

Looking back, the Streaks had a long wait for their first Regional Championship and then another one for a Sectional Title. Did that make you a better coach instead of having instant success?

There were a lot of frustrations but I have always been blessed working with some great kids. Some of the teams that I had in the 80s are teams that I would take back in a heartbeat. I can honestly say that I have enjoyed every one of my teams. I'd like to think that early frustrations have helped me keep things in perspective and realize that players win games -- not coaches.

So what's the secret to the success of Silver Streak basketball?

If I told you, I guess it wouldn't be a secret any more. Getting players to commit to self-improvement is huge. When our players come out they have to do ten minutes of fundamentals every day before we start practice. Sara Wood, Molly Watson and Bonny Apsey were kids who had their own routines that they would do for 30-40 minutes after practice. Linda Carlson and Brenda Stewart were the first two that really got the ball rolling with working in the off season in their driveways. Also, I think we have done a good job of getting kids to play in the summer. We have more kids at camp and playing in leagues than anyone in the state. People on the outside may not believe it but the key is that we really try to make it fun so kids are doing things because they like it.

Winning is almost never mentioned in terms of a goal. Most of the time, it's playing hard, playing smart and putting out 100 percent isn't it?

We try to place values above winning. We may not always succeed but our goals are really not focused on winning. We try to emphasize things like teamwork, unselfishness, loyalty and work ethic. I had a tremendous experience playing for Coach [Harley] Knosher at Knox. Being a basketball player was a special experience at Knox because the focus was on values, not winning. I hope that is what our program is all about.

If you had to vote for the most exciting of your 500 wins, which game is it?

That is a question that if you asked me again next week, I would keep coming up with a different answer. In my third year, we lost to East Moline by 35. We didn't have Amy Crisman that night and they kind of rubbed it in. But we beat them later at Galesburg with Amy Crisman and that was a thrill. But one of my favorite memories is the win over Belvidere in the Super Sectional at Dixon the first year when we went to State. It was a great come-from-behind win and we made big free throws to seal it.

January 10, 2002 12:25 AM

Massey's 500th win just another humble step

By Bill Barton, Dispatch/Argus

In 24 years as head coach of the Galesburg girls' basketball program, Evan Massey has accrued some astounding numbers. Massey added to his impressive resume last weekend at the Galesburg-Dunlap Tournament, by winning his 500th career game in a 56-18 dismantling of Sherrard.

According to the Illinois High School Association, Massey's 500 wins makes him the fifth winningest coach in Illinois girls' basketball history. Only Dorothy Gaters (Chicago Marshall), Dennis Koester (Teutopolis), David Power (Fenwick), and Rich Anderson (Seneca) have recorded more wins.

``That may be questionable,'' said Massey, referring to his place as the state's fifth all-time win leader. ``I know there's some other coaches that must have more than 500 wins that aren't on the list. I don't think Derril Kip (Maine West) is on there and he probably should be.''

It was a typical response from the humble coach, who would sooner dismiss his status as one of the state's all-time elite coaches than talk about his own achievements. No matter how hard Massey tries to deflect the attention, the numbers can't be ignored:

-- The Silver Streaks' Class AA fourth-place finish last year marked the sixth straight year the Silver Streaks have finished in the state finals.

-- The Streaks have won seven straight sectional finals.

-- Galesburg has recorded 14 straight 20-win seasons.

-- Galesburg has won 10 Western Big 6 Conference titles under Massey.

-- The Silver Streaks have the state's best winning percentage over the past 11 seasons.

Quite simply, Massey has established himself as one of the state's preeminent coaches and has his Streaks ranked 13th in the latest Class AA poll. But through it all, he's remained firmly grounded in the principles that initially inspired him to coach.

``I enjoy going to practice every day, working on strategy,'' said Massey. ``Going after coaching records was never something I set as a goal. I've really focused on season to season, working to get better.''

It's a simple philosophy that's served him well over the years. At heart, Massey is a gym-rat, preferring to work on the game's fundamentals than accepting all the adulations from his teams' success.

``I don't know where the concern about coaches and their records has come from,'' said Massey. ``High school sports is supposed to be about kids, not adults. The thing that's satisfying for us is if kids have fond memories of playing for our team.''

There certainly have been plenty of fond memories to choose from over the years, including Galesburg's 1999 second-place finish at state. However, Massey said that there isn't one particular team or game that sticks out in his mind.

``It may sound corny, but each team that year is my favorite team,'' he said. ``I really like the group we have this year. I've been lucky here. I've been lucky to have players and parents that have been so committed to the program. I don't know if that's true everywhere.''

December 31, 2001

The following players were selected to the all tournament team at the State Farm Holiday Classic. Congratulations Shannon.

Girls Class AA

Betsy Glover, East Peoria

Meredith Curtin, Taylorville

LaToya Bond, Urbana

Dawn Vander Meer, Tinley Park Andrew

Shannon Williams, Galesburg

*Amber Wisdom, Geneseo

December 9, 2001

Yesterday's sophomore win over Chicago (Maria) tied a sophomore record for fewest points given up in a game, yeilding only 15 points. The record ties the mark set two years ago vs. Canton on January 15, 2000. Records were also tied for fewest points given up in a half with 4, and fewest points given up in a quarter with 0.

Brittany Stephan has flirted with the sophomore rebounding record. She gathered 16 boards in each game vs. Maine South and Rock Island.

Michelle Dennison's 11 assists vs. Chicago (Maria) on Satruday was one off the sophomore assist record of 12 held by Maggie Johnson and Susie Glasgow.

Galesburg recieved the #1 seed for the State Farm Holiday Classic and will play the #16 seed, Washington, on Wednesday, December 26, 2001, at 7:30 pm at ISU's Horton Fieldhouse. Should the Streaks win that game, they would play the winner of the (8) Normal Community/(9) Chatham Glenwood game, on Thursday, December 27, 2001, at 9:00 pm at University High School.

For complete schedules, go to the State Farm Holiday Classic website.

December 5, 2001

There was a Silver Streak reunion in East Peoria on Tuesday night. Read Jay Redfren's Register Mail article.

December 1, 2001

Just a reminder to fan's of the StreaksWeb page. It is against federal copyright laws to use the information posted on this site to reprint, reuse, or redistribute the information without written consent of the StreaksWeb webmaster. Thanks.

November 30, 2001

In last night's win at Quincy, Shannon Williams tied a GHS record, dishing out 12 assists while collecting 14 points of her own. The Streaks were led by Annie Parkin's career high 26 points, including 8 straight in the second half.

October 30, 2001

There has been one change to the GHS freshman schedule. The Burlington game scheduled for January has been moved to November. Check out the updated schedule.

The Streaks opened up their season like they have in the past. Early morning workouts with an afternoon followup for the first two days. 13 varsity candidates were on hand to go through the early workouts. GHS is coming of back to back fourth place finishes in Class AA.

The Streaks are holding a spaghetti supper on November 9 from 5-7pm in the GHS cafeteria. Tickets can be bought from any Streaks basketball player, coach, or manager and proceeds will help offset travel costs for GHS road trips to Chicago and the Bloomington Normal Holiday Classic. Tickets are $8 for adults and $4 for children 10 and under. Tickets can also be obtained by calling the GHS athletic office at 343-9830.

October 2, 2001

Schedules have been released for the 2001 Streaks Classic and for the 2002 Galesburg Dunlap Martin Luther King Tournaments. See the schedules by looking at the schedule portion of the web page.