Game 57: Sterling @ Galesburg (Boy's Basketball)

Game 57
Sterling @ Galesburg (Boy's Basketball)
12/21/10

Tonight's game between the host Silver Streaks and the Golden Warriors from Sterling was scheduled for a 7:00 tip-off with no sophomore game. It is considered a tournament game as part of the Martin Luther King Tournament, that will resume in mid-January. I like the fact there is no prelim game, ensuring a timely tip, along with a 30-minute earlier start.



I rolled up to the parking lot at Galesburg High School around 5:30. As I unloaded the equipment my color commentator, Jimmie Carr, rolled in. We headed inside the gym, where the only other souls were the Silver Streaks freshman practicing with head coach Matt Pogue. Steve Schwab was also in the gym, and the three of us talked a little basketball.

About 20 minutes later, Sterling arrived in the gym, and Jimmie headed down to interview coach Ryan Brown. Jimmie had to ask where he was at, and I said he was on the floor shooting with the team, blending in with the team.

After their interview, Ryan came up to talk. His team is without three players, serving a suspension. Two of them are starters or key players to the team. We also talked about his Knoxville Blue Bullets playing days. He graduated in 1998, and played alongside Illini West boy's basketball coach John Hughs. Brown made this comment on his high school days. "I was mediocre on a good day."

Galesburg jumped out to a 13-5 lead after the first quarter and took a 25-18 lead into halftime. The Silver Streaks won handily, 59-43, in the end. The Golden Warriors gave the Streaks fits in the 2nd half, though. It was 37-30 heading into the 4th quarter, before Sterling went on a 5-0 run to pull within two points, 37-35.

Brandon Thompson was crucial in a 17-2 run put together by the Streaks, getting steals and baskets on his way to a game-high 19 points. Galesburg finished the game on a 22-8 run. Aslan Butler had a double-double for the Silver Streaks, with 12 points, 11 rebounds. Eli Townsend led Sterling with 15 points, and knocked down four three-pointers.

A couple of Sterling players are getting some collegiate interest. Caleb Miller (6'6" Sr.) is getting looks from a number of Division-III programs, including Knox, Luther, Coe, and Central. Drew Pace is getting interest from Parkland, Black Hawk, and Ashford.

After the game, I hit the road for a northern Illinois swing. A Tuesday night layover at my parents house in Annawan, followed by basketball trips to Sterling and DeKalb.

With the early start, and quick game, I was able to arrive in Annawan around 9:40, and able to visit with my parents for a bit, hence the late blog entry.

Game 57 Miles: 100