Game 26: Peoria Central @ Galesburg (Girl's Basketball)

Game 26
(12/12/09)
Peoria Central @ Galesburg (Girl's Basketball)
Mid-Winter Classic

After finishing up broadcast #25, there was a break between broadcasts. After wrapping up the previous broadcast, I talked with Eric Gibson and Tom Meredith, the Galesburg girl's basketball broadcast team for WGIL.

Following that conversation, I set out for a quick lunch before returning for 1:30 sophomore tipoff. Instead of eating something different, I just opted for the good old fast food stand-by and Steak 'n Shake. I held off on the shake, though.

I took my lunch to our WAIK studios downtown, a very chilly studios. After a quick bite, I set out for Galesburg High School at about 1:15 to catch the sophomore game. Peoria Central jumped out and beat Galesburg in this game, 64-55.

Central came into the varsity game with a 6-2 record, winning the Mt. Zion Thanksgiving Tournament. Their only losses came to Woodruff to open the season, and to Richwoods. Their head coach is the former Central standout, Meechie Edwards. His son, Dyricus Simms-Edwards plays at Bradley and had a phenomenal high school career at Washington.

Both teams started out scoring in bunches, with Central taking a 27-23 lead into the second quarter. During the second quarter, the Streaks outscored the Lions 20-12 to lead 43-39 at halftime. Coming in, Galesburg was shooting just 53% from the free throw line, but took advantage of Lions fouls, going (15-21) from the line.

Galesburg started out hot in the third quarter, extending their lead to eight points at (47-39). Then, the Lions roared back and took a six-point lead midway through the third quarter. ShaVonn Watkins (5'5" So.) carried a bulk of that load, scoring 13 third quarter points, on her way to a game-high 29 points. The outside shots started to fall late in the third frame, and the Streaks cut that deficit to three points (69-66) heading into the last quarter.

Just one three-pointer was made in the fourth quarter for Galesburg, and went (12-38) from outside the three-point line. Central extended their lead throughout the final eight minutes and finished off Galesburg for a 90-81 win. Five Lions reached double figures, led by Watkins' 29, followed by Ashley Hightower (So.) with 16 points, Toni Johnson with 13 points, Rebecca Clayton-Mills with 12 points, and Denisha Womack (Fr.) with 11 points. Central started one freshman, two sophomores, and two juniors, and don't have a senior on the team. Galesburg was led by Jessica Howard's 16 points, while Shelby Pacheco added 11 points and Sara Baker pitched in 10 points.

Both teams turned the ball over 31 times, with each of the teams committing quite a few unforced errors. Central received two technical fouls in the game, one on coach Edwards, the other on Toni Johnson. The Streaks went (0-4) on those technical free throws, and did not score on either posession.

The Quest File Notes
Game 26
Date: 12/12/09
Result: Central outguns Galesburg 90-81
Miles: 3 (the lunch run)