The Inside Scoop
April 14, 1998
The record book and college updates have been updated.
March 10, 1998
Galesburg was unable to advance in the Class AA state tournament losing to eventual state champion Loyola Academy of Wilmette. Also lost (two minutes into the game) was guard, Michelle Flaar with a torn ACL. Flaar's injury was the third ACL injury for the Streaks this season.
UNC-Greensboro and former Silver Streak Amber West have qualified for the Women's Division I NCAA tournament. UNC-Greesnboro is 21-8 and will take on Alabama (22-9) in Tuscaloosa, Alabama on Friday, March 13, in the Midwest Regional. Good luck, Amber.
March 4, 1998
Monday's Super-sectional win at Northern Illinois University gave the Streaks a spot in the Elite eight at ISU's Redbird Arena. Galesburg will play Friday, March 6, 1998 at 1:45 vs. Willmette Loyola.
On a lighter side, at halftime of Monday's Super-sectional assistant coach Steve Peachey got locked in the locker-room and ended up having to go through an outside door and back through an entrance to make it back to the bench. He missed the first 1:25 of the second half.
The Sports Information office at NIU is one of the best in the United States. SID Mike Korcek and Assistant SID and Galesburg grad Steve Nemeth made media life easy. The information provided before the game, at halftime, and after the game, overwhelmed some and was a welcome site to many. Not surprised was assistant coach Michael Rux. He was a manager to the Men's Basketball team at Northern and was aware of the work the Sports Information Office puts in. Hats off to Mike and Steve and everyone at NIU.
Former players might be interested to know that the Easy Running Drill done every day at the sophomore level came from NIU. When Coach Rux was at Northern Illinois with Head Coach Jim Rosborough (now an assistant for the University of Arizona Men's team), they did the drill every day. The drill is a favorite among players in the Galesburg Program.
How good was the Western Big Six Conference this year? Consider this; Rock Island was a regional champion, Alleman made it to the Sweet Sixteen is Class A, Quincy and Galesburg are playing in the elite eight. Next to Alleman, Galesburg has the smallest enrollment among all the Western Big Six Schools.
The Streaks will go through a final workout today at GHS before heading to Normal. The Streaks will leave on Thursday to have a shoot-around and photos taken at Redbird Arena followed by an IHSA Banquet that evening.
Ticket sales for Friday's game have been brisk. Ticket manager Dave Gunderson drove to ISU to secure more tickets for the anticipated crowd. Tickets are available at the GHS Athletic Office and are $8.00 for Lower Bowl seats and $6.00 for Upper Bowl seats. A change this year is that Lower Bowl seats are reserved while the Upper Bowl are still general admission. Tickets are going fast so get yours today!
March 1, 1998
Streaks fans from around the world can listen to all the Streaks' action by going to www.media.misslink.net and follow the instructions there.
February 26, 1998
Sophomore Kelli Wessels did not advance in the Three Point Shootout. Kelli made 5 of 15 attempts and needed at least 8 to advance to the state final.
Galesburg will advance to the DeKalb Supersectional that will be played at Northern Illinois' Chick Evans Feildhouse. Escpecially excited is Galesburg assistant Michael Rux who graduated from Northern Illinois in 1989 and was a manager with the Men's Basketball team there. "To be able to play at a place where I spent much of my college days at will make it a special game for me," said Coach Rux. Galesburg will play Dundee-Crown, a 62-56 winner over Cary Grove, on Monday, March 2, 1998, at 7:30 pm.
Former Galesburg High School student Steve Nemeth is the assistant Sports Information Director at Northern Illinois.
February 24, 1998
Sophomore Kelli Wessels advanced in the Three Point Shootout. Kelli made 7 of 15 three pointers to move on to Thursday's round. The winners Thursday will advance to ISU's Redbird Arena. Sophomore Stacy Boettcher made 5 of 15, but did not advance. Congratulations again to both girls!
Galesburg will play Dixon (a 52-51 winner over Ottawa) on Thursday for the Sectional Championship. The two teams met earlier in the season with Galesburg pulling out a 66-60 win in overtime in Galesburg.
February 23, 1998
Entering tonight's sectional game, 12 of Galesburg's 23 different opponents are still playing in the state tournament series. Four of those teams, Rock Island Alleman, Carthage, Normal U-High, and Mendota, are playing for berths in the Class A elite eight tonight.
February 20, 1998
Galesburg claimed its 11th consecutive Regional title last night beating Sterling, 78-50. The win moves Galesburg to Monday's Sectional semifinal vs. Rock Island at the Rock Island Feildhouse at 6:00 pm.
Kelli Wessels and Stacy Boettcher, two of Galesburg's contestants in the Three Point Shootout advanced to Monday's sectional. Wessels made 6 three point attempts while Boettcher made 4 and advanced via a tiebreaker. Cangratulations Kelli and Stacy.
February 18, 1998
Galesburg will play Sterling on Thursday for the Regional Championship. Sterling was a 50-47 winner over Princeton at Princeton.
Galesburg will enter Katie McGunnigal, Stacy Boettcher, Mary Lindstrom, and Kelli Wessels in the Three Point Shootout. Last year, Galesburg's Jaque Howard advanced to the state finals.
February 14, 1998
The Streaks begin regional play on Thrusday, February 19, 1998 vs. the winner of Monday's game between Sterling and Princeton.
Galesburg's sophomore team closed out their portion of the season with a win over Quincy Thursday night. Coach Michael Rux's team finished 18-2 overall and 8-2 in the Western Big Six Conference good enough for second place. In eight years as the sophomore coach, Rux has compiled a 120-36 record while guiding the sophomores to three conference championships.
Katie McGunnigal continues to be a fan favorite not only in games but on the internet as well. She currently leads the team in responses from fans across the globe. It must be her sparkling personality and charm.
February 12, 1998
Today's game with Quincy closes out the regular season for the Streaks. Tonight's game will be Pack the Place Night for the Streaks. Quincy comes into the game with a 19-5 record and undefeated in the Western Big Six. Quincy's Ruth Kipping and Heather Hillebrenner have been very vocal about their intentions of playing in Galesburg. "I just want to go up there and kill Galesburg." said Ruth Kipping in a Herald Whig Sports article. Hillebrenner said, "Just because Galesburg was at state last year and the year before, doesn't mean they are one of the best in state. We are going to go out and show the whole state what Quincy Basketball is all about."
Galesburg holds a 30-16 overall record over Quincy and a 14-3 mark over the Blue Devils during the 1990's.
February 2, 1998
Saturday's results from the Galesburg Tournament:
Galesburg 56
Canton 29
Geneseo 70
Peoria Notre Dame 67
Geneseo 86
Canton 44
Galesburg 68
Peoria Notre Dame 62
Galesburg claimed the championship of the initial Galesburg January Tournament. As expected, junior Jenny Zolper returned to action after bout with the flu.
The GHS sophomores won their portion of the Galesburg January Tournament by beating Canton and Peoria Notre Dame on Saturday. (see results)
Saturday's results from the Galesburg Sophomore Tournament:
Galesburg 66
Canton 24
Peoria Notre Dame 45
Geneseo 43
Geneseo 63
Canton 32
Galesburg 48
Peoria Notre Dame 30
Freshman Sara Pacheco's ACL surgery performed last Monday was a success. Sara now begins her six months of rehab. Sara was featured in an article in Tuesday February 3, 1998's Peoria Journal Star discussing why girls have more trouble with ACL injuries than boys.
Next year's Bloomington-Normal Holiday Classic is now filled and includes the following teams in the Class AA bracket: Chatham-Glenwood, East Peoria, Galesburg, Normal Community, Normal University High, Washington, Ottawa, and Springfield Southeast. Games are scheduled to be played December 28, 29, 30, 31 1998
January 29, 1998
Last night's results from the Galesburg Tournament:
Peoria Notre Dame 60
Canton 52
Galesburg 68
Geneseo 52
Last night's win moved Galesburg to 20-4, the 11th consecutive season Galesburg has won 20 games or more.
Galesburg's Sarah Larson set a school record for number of free throws made in a game. Larson went 15 for 18 from the line to break a record of 11 held by Stacey Forrestor (81-82) and Rita Tiehen (83-84).
Galesburg was without the services of junior forward Jenny Zolper due to sickness. The junior is expected to return for Saturday's tournament action.
January 26, 1998
Next Thursday/Saturday's January Tournament includes Geneseo, Peoria Notre Dame, Canton, and Galesburg. Next year's plans call for expanding the tournament to six teams while playing a round robin format similar to Galesburg's Thanksgiving Tournament.
Galesburg will play at always tough Rock Island tomorrow. The game will be a preliminary to a possible Galesburg-Rock Island sectional matchup held at Rock Island.
January 20, 1998
Saturday's game with Maria was a test of physical stamina for both teams. Poor shooting and physical play dominated the game on both sides. One Maria player was taken to a local hospital with a concussion while several of the Streak players were physically exhausted. Megan Pacheco's 23 rebounds vs. Maria set a Galesburg record for number of rebounds in one game breaking Sarah Larson's record of 20 set two years ago vs. Macomb.
Galesburg's tightly contested game with Waubonsie Valley came down to the wire. For the sixth time this year, the Streaks have been involved in a game that was decided in the last few seconds. Waubonsie Valley's Ashley Luke's hit a 3 pointer with nine seconds remaining to tie the game and was apparently fouled on the attempt, however according to the Chicago Tribune, Luke said, "I figured, if I fell after the shot the ref's would give me the call and they did. I flopped and they (the officials) fell for it."
Galesburg begins a tough stretch playing three conference schools in six days: Thursday at East Moline, Saturday vs. Alleman, and Tuesday at Rock Island.
January 15, 1998
Galesburg's game with Maria on Saturday, January 17, 1998 has been moved back to its original starting time of 12:00 (sophomores) and 1:30 pm (varsity).
Galesburg received the number one seed at the Rock Island Sectional last night. Pending approval from the IHSA, here is the order of the seeding:
1. Galesburg
2. Ottawa
3. Dixon
4. Rock Island
5. Geneseo
6. Moline
7. Freeport
8. Princeton
9. Sterling
10. East Moline
11. LaSalle-Peru
12. Sycamore
13. DeKalb
14. Rochelle
15. Streator
January 12, 1998
Saturday's Galesburg Shootout had the following results:
Sophomores
Carthage 53
Alleman 41
Galesburg 64
Dixon 39
Varsity
Carthage 58
Alleman 51
Galesburg 66 OT
Dixon 60
January 9, 1998
On Saturday, January 10, 1998, Thiel Gym will heat up with the Galesburg Shootout taking place. Three of the four teams compeating in the shootout are ranked in the AP state polls. In Class A, #2 Carthage will take on always tough Rock Island Alleman at 1:30pm, and In the Class AA, #9 Galesburg will take on #23 Dixon at 3:00pm. The games will be preceeded by respecitve sophomore teams playing at 10:30am and noon.
The Galesburg-Dixon matchup will be a homecoming of sorts for Dixon activities director Mike Hellenthal. Hellenthal was athletic director at Galesburg prior to taking the Dixon job.
January 1, 1998
Galesburg moved to 14-1 on the season with two gutty performances at the Converse Bloomington-Normal Holiday Classic. Monday's win over an athletic Olympia team included some solid defense and timely free throw shooting to seal the win. The win moved Galesburg to the Grand Championship vs. Mendota.
Tuesday's game with Mendota was a barnburner from the start. Mendota used a 14-0 run in the first half and a 12-0 run to start the third quarter to build a 53-37 second half lead. Galesburg chiseled away at the lead to take a 74-72 lead with 35 seconds to play. After a Mendota basket to tie the game at 74 with 14 seconds remaining, Galesburg (with a junior, three sophomores and a freshman on the floor) and no time outs remaining, set up for their final shot, Jaque Howard's game winning three pointer.
Howard's game winning shot was Galesburg's third time this season they have won on a buzzer beater. Jenny Zolper (vs. Washington) and Sarah Larson (vs. Richwoods) were the other two.
Tuesday's winning celebration did have one casualty. Streaks' assistant Michael Rux pulled a calf muscle and will be hobbled for the next several days.
Sarah Larson and Megan Pacheco were named to the Class AA all-tournament team.
December 28, 1997
After winning their first two Bloomington/Normal Holiday Classic games, Galesburg returned to Galesburg to regroup for Monday and Tuesday. Galesburg will play Olympia for the AA Championship on Monday, December 29, 1997 at 4:00 pm in Redbird Arena. The winner of that game will play at 5:30 pm, Tuesday, December 30, 1997 at the Shirk Center on the Illinois Wesleyan campus. The loser of that game will play at 4:00 pm at the Shirk Center.
On Wednesday, December 24, 1997, the initial AP Girls' AA Basketball Poll was released. Galesburg was ranked 7th in the initial AA girls basketball poll. The totals are compiled by the (Galesburg) Register-Mail.
December 24, 1997
The Streaks will go through a workout today before breaking for the holidays. They will have a shoot-around Thurday morning before leaving for Bloomington and their 5:30 game at Redbird Arena with Normal Community.
With the sophomore loss to Moline on December 18, it broke a 25 game home winning streak by the GHS sophomores.
December 19, 1997
Apparantly, it's the IN thing for Western Big Six girls' basketball coaches to have babies. Last February, Galesburg coach Evan Massey and his wife gave birth to their first child. This summer Rock Island Alleman coach Jay Hatch and his wife gave birth to their first child, and on Wednesday, Rock Island Coach Rod Letherman and his wife gave birth to a spanking new baby. Congratulations!
With Galesburg's Western Big Six Conference win last night, Galseburg tied a school record of 15 consecutive Western Big Six wins. The streak began in the 95-96 season and has continued to its current game. The streak ties a record set during the 93-94 through 95-96 seasons.
In Galesburg's win last night, Sarah Pacheco suffered a knee injury. It's still undetermined as to the extent of the injury. She will be evaluated today.
December 17, 1997
The freshman girls team is off to a 3-4 start. Coach Christy Woodard's team lost a heartbreaking 42-41 loss to East Moline Monday night. With no time remaining on the clock, an East Moline player was sent to the line to shoot two free throws and made them both to seal the win for East Moline. The freshman play twice more before the holiday break.
December 13, 1997
After falling behind by as many as ten points in the second half to Richwoods, Megan Pacheco took over to lead the Galesburg chrarge late in the third quarter to rally the team to within two points by the end of the quarter. Sarah Larson' bucket at the buzzer sealed the win for the Streaks 58-56.
Galesburg will unveil its new scoreboard on Thursday, December 18, 1997, when it welcomes the Moline Maroons to town. Sophomore game begins at 6:00 pm with the varsity following at approximately 7:45 pm
December 12, 1997
With Sarah Larson's double-double last night (18 points, 12 rebounds), she passed Bonny Apsey and Amber West on the all-time rebounding list. Shannon Johnson remains as the #1 all time rebounder.
Neil Myer made his debut as WGIL's new play-by-play for girls' basketball. Neil freshly graduated from Michigan State, joins father Norm to finish covering the Streaks' this season. Welcome Spartan Neil!
December 9, 1997
Parings have been released for the 1997 Converse Bloomington/Normal Holiday Classic. Galesburg will play Normal Community HS at 5:30 pm at Redbird Arena on December 26 and will play Normal U-High at 11:00 am in Redbird Arena on December 27. On December 29 Galesburg will play Olympia at 4:00 pm in Redbird Arena. Pending the outcome of those games, Galesburg will play on December 30 in the Shirk Center. Times will be either at 8:30 am, 10:00 am, 4:00 pm, or 5:30 pm.
Basketball fans are eagerly awaiting the first AP basketball poll conducted by the Register-Mail in Galesburg. No word yet on when the first poll is due out.
December 4, 1997
Happy Birthday today to Satcy Boettcher and Coach Rux! Beat East Moline!
December 1, 1997
Saturday afternoon's final session of the Streaks Classic had the following results:
Peoria High 47 MacArthur 20
Mattoon 35 Carthage 68
Galesburg 60 Washington 58
The following players were selected to the all tournament team:
Sarah Larson - Galesburg
Alisha Negle - Carthage
Sara Bailey - Washington
Sharon Blade - Peoria High
Adrienne Dickerson - Carthage
Anett Sinks - Washington
Mandy Beck - Mattoon
Megan Pacheco - Galesburg
Galesburg's game with Washington turned out to be quite a contest. A spirited Washington team remained close down the stretch and it took a heady play by juniors Sarah Larson and Jenny Zolper to finish off the Panthers. With ten seconds remaining in the game and the score tied, Sarah Larson threw the length of the court to a wide open Jenny Zolper who hit the winning layup as time expired.
In a great shooting performance, Jaque Howard was 6 of 9 from the three point arc and ended up with 18 points to lead the Streaks in scoring.
The sophomores were able to keep their composure down the stretch as well Saturday beating Carthage 69-64. Trailing by three with 1:10 remaining, Galesburg calmly hit 6 of 8 free throws along with an Ashley Shepard putback to score the final 8 points of the game to clinch the win. Galesburg played without starter Rachel Bicego who bruised a sholder in Friday's game. Her status is day to day.
Several former Streaks were seen throughout the tournament. Bonny Apsey, Ann Henderson, Jen Wright, Stefanie Mitchell, and Julie Lofing to name a few.
Next up for Galesburg is East Moline on Thursday and Freeport on Saturday. Both games are at GHS.
Congratulations to Jordan Watson on being the 5,000 visitor to the site. With Jordan's visit it puts the total number of hits well over 9,000. The previous address had over 4,000 visitors. The web site was created in August of 1996.
November 29, 1997
Friday afternoon's session of the Streaks Classic had the following results:
Carthage 79 Washington 53
MacArthur 31 Mattoon 76
Galesburg 68 Peoria High 49
With yesterday's win, Carthage claimed the championship of the Streaks' Classic. The tournament concludes today.
November 25, 1997
Game time for Saturday, January 17, 1998 game with Chicago Maria has been set. Sophomores tip off at 11:00 am followed by the Varsity at 12:30 pm.
The Streaks take on Rock Island tonight to kick off the Western Big Six Conference. Rock Island is coming off an 81-62 win over AlWood to claim the championship of the AlWood Tipoff Clsassic. Rock Island boasts two talented sisters in Jennifer and Jessica Youngblood. Rock Island is 3-0 while Galesburg is 2-1. The game will give the winner the early edge in the Western Big Six Race. Sophomores begin at 6:00 pm. Varsity at 7:30.
November 24, 1997
Saturday evening's session of the Streaks Classic had the following results:
Washington 71 MacArthur 31
Peoria High 51 Mattoon 46
Galesburg 57 Carthage 58
November 22, 1997
This morning/afternoon session of the Streaks Classic had the following results:
Galesburg 85 MacArthur 34
Carthage 59 Peoria High 49
Mattoon 54 Wahsington 65
November 21, 1997
The Streaks Thanksgiving Classic is underway. Opening round action saw Peoria High beat Washington 58-50, Carthage maul MacArthur 88-28, and Galesburg beat Mattoon 84-65. Tournament action continues all day today.
WGIL announced it's broadcast team for girls basketball this year. Tom Meredith will cover for GHS and Michigan State product Neil Myer until December 11, 1997, when Neil graduates from MSU. Tom will be assisted by color man Norm Myer. Norm will continue to cover the Streaks with son Neil beginning December 11, at Rock Island Alleman. WGIL plans to cover all of the Streaks games this year.
November 16, 1997
The opponent for the Chicagoland Shootout scheduled for Monday, January 19, 1997 has been set. The Streaks will play Wabonsie Valley.
November 14, 1997
This year's Meet the Streaks was another success. Several Streaks fans were able to get a sneek peek at the 97-98 Streaks. Afterwards, all three teams, players and parents met in the cafeteria for desserts, ice cream, and drinks.
Custodian Steve Bryant was featured in an artice in this month's Budget. The Wizzard of Wicall has been an active supporter of Streaks Athletics for many years, and is very well liked by players and coaches. Congratulations, Shadow!
November 13, 1997
Today's edition of the Zephyr features a 16 page girls basketball special. Copies will be available at tonight's Meet the Streaks as well as today's edition of the Zephyr.
Former Streak Molly Watson played 29 minutes in her opening scrimmage vs. the Australian National Team last week. Molly is expected to play major minutes for the Blue Demons this year.
It looks like the best opportunity to see former Streak Sara Wood, now at Kirkwood Community College, will be Tuesday, December 9, when they play Carl Sandburg College in Galesburg. Game time is set for 5:30 pm.
Former Streak Angie Galyean scored 20 points for Carl Sandburg College in their opening season loss on Monday.
November 6, 1997
Girls' Basketball Meet the Streaks night is set. On Thursday, November 13, the freshman team will begin at 6:30pm, followed by the sophomores at 7:15pm and varsity at 8:00pm. Following the varsity scrimmage, the coaches will hold a parent meeting/dessert potluck in the cafeteria to make parents aware of what they can expect of the coaching staff, and what parents can do to make this a positive experience for their daughters. We are asking each family to bring one dessert dish to pass, while the coaches will supply the plates, utensils, drink, and ice cream.
Media Day is scheduled for Monday, November 17, 1997. Sophomore girls basketball pictures will be taken at 4:21pm, freshman girls basketball pictures at 4:28pm and varsity girls basketball at 6:10pm. All pictures will be taken in John Thiel Gym.
November 4, 1997
The Streaks opened the season on Monday afternoon with ten varsity candidates. Four juniors and the rest sophomores and freshman. The Streaks only returning starter is junior, Sarah Larson. Others players returning who have varsity experience are junior, Jenny Zolper, and sophomore Megan Pacheco. Coach Massey will rely on several younger players including sophomores Jaque Howard, Michelle Flaar, and Whitney Snyder and frehman Ashley Shepard and Rachel Bicego. Stay tuned!
The sophomre and freshman team welcomed 13 and 17 candidates respectively and expect more to arrive at the conclusion of the swimming season. The sophomores will be again coached by Micahel Rux, while former player Christy (Hickey) Woodard will direct the freshman squad. She will be assisted by her sister Trisha Hickey, also a former player in the Streaks program. Mike Jaskoski will be a volunteer assistant to Coaches Peachey and Massey at the varsity level.