Game 118: Havana @ South Fulton (Girl's Basketball)

V.I.T. High School Gymnsasium in Table Grove

Game 118
Havana @ South Fulton (Girl's Basketball)
(1/31/11)

The odds of getting games in on this Monday night ahead of an expected blizzard was getting slimmer and slimmer as the afternoon began.  Many schools in the Jacksonville/Quincy areas were getting dismissed early, and some games in western Illinois were getting cancelled.  Fortunately, the Havana/South Fulton game was on.

Game 117: Galesburg @ Bloomington (Girl's Basketball)

Bloomington High School

Game 117
Galesburg @ Bloomington (Girl's Basketball)
Plus - bonus basketball
(1/29/11)

An IHSA record was broken on this Saturday afternoon at Bloomington High School, yet more fast food, the call I've been waiting for, and a lot of miles logged on the road, as the WAIK broadcast crew decides to drive up to the Quad Cities.

Game 116: Quincy @ Galesburg (Boy's Basketball)

Pink Out Night at Galesburg High School

Game 116
Quincy @ Galesburg (Boy's Basketball)
Pink Out Night
(1/28/11)

Pink Out Night at John Thiel Gymnasium, an amazing 2nd half comeback, Galesburg coach Mike Reynolds' at lunch, and another lunch/dinner combo.

Game 115: United Township @ Galesburg (Girl's Basketball)

Galesburg Silver Streaks Ready to Take Floor

Game 115
United Township @ Galesburg (Girl's Basketball)
(1/27/11)

An interesting night of Western Big 6 girl's basketball, with a head coach getting ejected, over 50 fouls, over 70 free throw attempts, and video of a hard fall by Galesburg's Jessica Lieber.

Game 114: Elmwood @ Abingdon (Girl's Basketball)

Abingdon, IL: Hospitality Capital of the World!

Game 114
Elmwood @ Abingdon (Girl's Basketball)
(1/26/11)

Another late add to the broadcast schedule took me to Abingdon to cover this rescheduled Prairieland Conference girl's basketball matchup.  The last time I was in Abingdon, I was furnished a broadcast recliner. 

Game 113: Princeville @ West Prairie (Boy's Basketball)

Home of the West Prairie Cyclones

Game 113
Princeville @ West Prairie (Boy's Basketball)
(1/25/11)

In a rare Tuesday night broadcast, I made the quick trip over to West Prairie High School.  The first time I've seen a defensive player call a timeout during a posession, a table collapses on me, troubles with duct tape, and some Lincoln Trail Conference basketball.

Live in Sciota....Not to be Confused With Nova Scotia

Gymnasium at West Prairie High School

Broadcast #113 coming to you from rural Sciota, Illinois for a Lincoln Trail Conference matchup between the West Prairie Cyclones and the Princeville Princes.

Mascot Envy

One of the things I enjoy when I broadcast different teams, is to learn a little bit of the history behind how the school formed, in the case of consolidated school districts, or schools that have several small towns nearby. On occasion, I will make note of them in my game blog. With a rare off night, I delve into mascot envy...

By the Numbers Update (1/24/11)

By the Numbers
112 Broadcasts in the books.

Game 112: Rockford East @ Galesburg (Boy's Basketball)

Rockford East E-Rabs

Game 112
Rockford East @ Galesburg (Boy's Basketball)
(1/22/11)

Galesburg boy's basketball program aims at matching the girl's milestone met earlier in the day, talking old-school basketball, and what in the world is an E-Rab?

Game 111: Champaign Centennial @ Galesburg (Girl's Basketball)

Galesburg Silver Streaks
Source: Massey Basketball

Game 111
Champaign Centennial @ Galesburg (Girl's Basketball)
Galesburg Mid-Winter Classic
(1/21/11)

Break in action, GHS boy's basketball practice provides good scouting report on tonight's game, Centennial coach Susan Thomas talks about trip to Galesburg, and the Streaks aim for a milestone.

Game 110: Normal U-High @ Galesburg (Girl's Basketball)

Game 110
Normal U-High @ Galesburg (Girl's Basketball)
Galesburg Mid-Winter Classic
(1/22/11)

The Galesburg Mid-Winter Classic, a late arrival, meandering about the hospitality room, and I learn what sublemated jerseys are.

Game 109: Moline @ Galesburg (Boy's Basketball)

Game 109
Moline @ Galesburg (Boy's Basketball)
(1/21/11)

The Silver Streaks and Maroons play game two of their three-game series in 2010-11, my special pregame guest, our halftime guest, and pictures from John Thiel Gymnasium.

Game 108: Galesburg @ Rock Island (Girl's Basketball)

Hoover's House: Home of the Lady Rocks

Game 108
Galesburg @ Rock Island (Girl's Basketball)
(1/20/11)

Western Big 6 girl's basketball matchup at Rock Island's "Hoover House," Pete Thierry's candy store, talking real estate with coach Thad Hoover, and a return trip to Dr. Gyro's.

Game 107: Benton vs. Okawville (Boy's Basketball)

Game 107

Center court at Rich Herrin Gymnasium

Benton vs. Okawville (Boy's Basketball)
Benton Invitational Tournament
(1/19/11)

The final game of my southern Illinois swing between the host Rangers and Okawville, leaving town, and trying to beat a blizzard, and the journey back north.

Game 106: Sesser-Valier vs. Pinckneyville (Boy's Basketball)

Game 106
Sesser-Valier vs. Pinckneyville (Boy's Basketball)
Benton Invitational Tournament
(1/19/11)

Of the six games that I was going to see in southern Illinois, the matchup between the Panthers and Red Devils was the game I was most excited to see.

Galesburg Mid-Winter Classic (Girl's Basketball) VIDEO

The Galesburg Mid-Winter Classic wraps up today (Saturday 1/22/11) with varsity games at John Thiel Gymnasium at Galesburg High School, and at Lombard.  Sophomore games being contested at Lombard and Wicall gyms.  Here is video from the Peoria Central/Champaign Centennial game.  Centennial lost for just the second time this season (19-2).  The final score was 48-44.

Game 105: Carlyle vs. Hamilton County (Boy's Basketball)

Game 105
Carlyle vs. Hamilton County (Boy's Basketball)
Benton Invitational Tournament
(1/19/11)

My first trip to Rich Herrin Gymnasium, an annoying conversation at the hotel, checking out southern Illinois, and tipping off the second night of the B.I.T.

Rich Herrin Gymnasium at Benton

Galesburg/Moline (Pictures)

Game 109 pregame between Moline Maroons and Galesburg Silver Streaks.  Pictures.

Game 104: Carmi-White County vs. Mt. Carmel (Boy's Basketball)

Game 104
Carmi-White County vs. Mt. Carmel (Boy's Basketball)
Carmi-White County Tournament
(1/18/11)

Final night in Carmi, an interesting gas station marquee, and my favorite least-heard radio songs...

Game 103: Olney East Richland vs. Mt. Vernon, IN (Boy's Basketball)

Game 103
Olney East Richland vs. Mt. Vernon, IN (Boy's Basketball)
Carmi-White County Tournament
(1/18/11)

Travel-blog features the amount of radio stations covering the Carmi Tournament, gym picture, an awesome roster of names, and my broadcast partner for the evening...

The Messy Results of a Busy Schedule

Who wants to help me clean???

I've never claimed the title of Neatest Person in the World, and when hours of work outnumber hours in a day, here's what my desk looks like.  Note: My home office is about the same!

Tonight, I am heading to Rock Island, for the Galesburg/Rock Island girl's game.  Since I am so behind on the travel blog game recaps, I will try to post updates until time allows me to catch up on the entries. 

I enjoy the girl's gym at Rocky, which housed the boy's team over 50 years ago.  I'll post a picture upon arrival.

Blog Update...Running Behind

Interstate 64 near St. Louis

More Interstate 64 snowfall

Pictures from the return trip from Benton, during heavy snowfall. 

Game 102: Harrisburg vs. Fairfield (Boy's Basketball)

Game 102
Harrisburg vs. Fairfield (Boy's Basketball)
Carmi-White County Tournament
(1/18/11)

Trip south includes, "The Monotone Voice of Beardstown Billy," Best and Worst of...French Fries, Gas Prices across Illinois, and my first visit to Carmi, IL.

Game 101: Galesburg vs. York (Boy's Basketball)

Game 101
Galesburg vs. York (Boy's Basketball)
Galesburg Martin Luther King Tournament
(1/17/11)

Upon finishing up my late lunch/early dinner in the hospitality room, I made my way back to the broadcast booth to prepare for the final broadcast of the day. 

Game 100: Galesburg vs. Morton (Girl's Basketball)

Game 100
Galesburg vs. Morton (Girl's Basketball)
Mid-Winter Classic (@ Knox College)
(1/17/11)

The parking at Knox College isn't that great....to say the least!  Usually, I get lucky and get a decent parking spot across from the gym entrance.  Not the case today!  I had to park in the lot across the street, in the rain and sleet.

Game 99: Sterling vs. Warren (Boy's Basketball)

Game 99
Sterling vs. (Gurnee) Warren (Boy's Basketball)
Galesburg Martin Luther King Tournament
(1/17/11)

In all honesty, I didn't know what type of game the Sterling Golden Warriors/Warren Blue Devils matchup would be.  Sterling didn't play very well on Saturday, and I am sure the Blue Devils were fired up after their loss to Galesburg on Saturday night.

Game 98: Galesburg vs. Minooka (Boy's Basketball)

Game 98
Galesburg vs. Minooka (Boy's Basketball)
Galesburg Martin Luther King Tournament
(1/17/11)

Monday began with the normal wakeup call for a work day.  However, I would be spending just one hour at the office, then off to the gym for an entire day of basketball.  Darn my luck!  Fortunately, I had spend 4-5 hours in the office on Sunday night in preparation for being away for three days.

The Century Club 2011: 100th Broadcast Achieved

Over 2/3 of the way to the goal!  Over 100 broadcasts are in this season.

Game 97: United Township vs. Maine South (Boy's Basketball)

Game 97
United Township vs. Maine South (Boy's Basketball)
Galesburg Martin Luther King Tournament
(1/15/11)

Immediately after going off the air from our WAIK postgame show following the Galesburg/Warren game, I picked up the IHSSN headsets, and went live for the final game of the night, pitting the Panthers of United Township against the Hawks from Maine South.

Game 96: Galesburg vs. Warren (Boy's Basketball)

Game 96
Galesburg vs. Warren (Boy's Basketball)
Galesburg Martin Luther King Tournament
(1/15/11)
When Galesburg beat Teutopolis for the Charleston Holiday Tournament championship, the Silver Streaks slowed the game down against a much bigger team.  This game plan would also be employed against the Warren Blue Devils.

Game 95: Marian Catholic vs. Minooka (Boy's Basketball)

Game 95
Marian Catholic vs. Minooka (Boy's Basketball)
Galesburg Martin Luther King Tournament
(1/15/11)
After recharging with a break and hospitality room, the Marian Catholic Spartans and Minooka Indians took the floor for the 2nd time today.  Each team plays two games on Saturday and two games on Monday.

Game 94: United Township vs. Warren (Boy's Basketball)

Game 94
United Township vs. Warren (Boy's Basketball)
Galesburg Martin Luther King Tournament
(1/15/11)

The (Gurnee) Warren Blue Devils are state ranked at #4 this week in the Class 4A state rankings.  Their two losses are to Lake Forest Academy (by 4 points in 1st game of the season) and Simeon (8 points).  At the Pontiac Holiday Tournament, Warren beat United Township handily.

Game 93: Minooka vs. York (Boy's Basketball)

Game 93
Minooka vs. York (Boy's Basketball)
Galesburg Martin Luther King Tournament
(1/15/11)

On my drive to Galesburg on Saturday morning, I caught the local talk program on K100 or WJEQ in Macomb hosted by John Maguire.  His guests on this week's show were Rich Egger from Tri-States Public Radio and Jodi Pospeschil from the McDonough Voice. 

Game 92: Galesburg vs. Marian Catholic (Boy's Basketball)

Game 92
Galesburg vs. Marian Catholic (Boy's Basketball)
Galesburg Martin Luther King Tournament
(1/15/11)

When I schedule tournament broadcasts around my radio broadcasts, its very tentative.  It all depends on how timely the tournament is going, and how long my postgame shows go on the radio broadcasts.  Today, I was going to try and squeeze as many broadcasts as possible, meaning I would have to be on top of my game in getting scorebooks filled out, pronunciations, etc.

Jimmie Carr & Steve Cheesman

Here is a photo of this afternoon's WAIK Postgame show with Jimmie Carr and Galesburg assistant coach Steve Cheesman.  Galesburg defeats Marian Catholic 73-52.

"Geez Oh Crimany" - Quote of the Day (Maine South/Sterling Video)

First quarter video from Maine South/Sterling today at Galesburg Martin Luther King Tournament, and already the Quote of the Day!  Read More....

Martin Luther King Tournament at Galesburg

John Thiel Gymnasium

Greetings, from John Thiel Gymnasium at Galesburg High School for the Galesburg Martin Luther King Classic.

Due to an attack on the Network1Sports website, I will be broadcasting from iHigh.  Huge thanks to Kevin Sander for a reminder at the 11th hour!

I will provide the correct links for the broadcasts on the home page at http://www.ihssn.net/ shortly.  The first broadcast of the day will begin at 12:15 online at http://www.1590waik.com/.

Teams involved in the tournament today and Monday are; Galesburg, Marian Catholic, Warren, Maine South, Sterling, United Township, Minooka, and York.

Game 91: Galesburg @ Alleman (Boy's Basketball)

Game 91
Galesburg @ Alleman (Boy's Basketball)
(1/14/11)
Note:  I have lept into picture taking, some photos in today's blog

Gas prices continue to fluctuate.  On Wednesday or Thursday (the days run together for me during basketball), gas prices were $3.04 in Galesburg and $3.01 in Bushnell.  In fact, the price in Bushnell was the lowest price at the pump I have seen in weeks.  By Friday, fuel prices jumped back up, here are various prices at the pump.

Game 90: Quincy @ Galesburg (Girl's Basketball)

My McWeakness

Game 90
Quincy @ Galesburg (Girl's Basketball)
(1/13/11)

I'm weak.  I didn't want it to happen, but it happened anyway.  Cheeseburgers.  I can't stop myself sometimes.  The giant bright golden arches, they're magnetic.  During basketball season, I'm road weary and weak.  I can't resist the delicious double cheeseburgers.  I gave in!

Game 89: Williamsfield vs. Illini Bluffs (Boy's Basketball)

Game 89
Williamsfield vs. Illini Bluffs (Boy's Basketball)
ICAC Tournament (@ Williamsfield)
(1/12/11)

In the nightcap, Illini Bluffs jumped out to a 14-8 lead on Williamsfield.  The 2nd quarter began with the Tigers reeling off a 10-0 run to lead 24-8.  Then the Bombers made a run of their own, outscoring Illini Bluffs 16-5 in the final minutes of the first half, to pull to within five points (29-24). 

Game 88: Elmwood vs. Delavan (Boy's Basketball)

Game 88
Elmwood vs. Delavan (Boy's Basketball)
ICAC Tournament (@ Williamsfield)
(1/12/11)

The middle game featured the Elmwood Trojans and Delavan Panthers.  Before the game, I headed to Twitter to update the prior game score and to check out what was going on in Twitter-land.  There was a tweet about Jersey Shore.  I don't watch much TV outside of sports, and I certainly DON'T watch Jersey Shore, or any other show appearing on MTV.  Here are my favorite TV shows that I DVR.

Game 87: Brimfield vs. North Fulton (Boy's Basketball)

Game 87
Brimfield vs. North Fulton (Boy's Basketball)
ICAC Tournament (@ Williamsfield)
(1/12/11)

With my Sportsline show on 1590 WAIK (listen to the archived shows at www.1590waik.com)taking up a lot of my day, I was really pushing myself to get to Williamsfield in a timely manner.  Near the end of the day, I made a quick trip to the grocery store and picked up some spinach, fresh guava, orange juice, granola bars, and beef jerky.  I'm not a very good grocery shopper!

The Quest: Live From Williamsfield

I posted in my previous trip to Williamsfield that I really enjoy broadcasting in Billtown.  Here's a shot of the Williamsfield gym with the state-ranked Brimfield Indians warming up.

Slow Week No More...

Last week was the lowest output of broadcasts I have done this season.  There were only six broadcasts all of last week.  A large factor of that is that the first week of January is generally a slow time of year on the schedule, plus there are no tournaments going on during this particular week.

Game 86: Williamsfield vs. Brimfield (Boy's Basketball)

Game 86
Williamsfield vs. Brimfield (Boy's Basketball)
ICAC Tournament (@ Williamsfield)
(1/10/11)
Before the final game of the night, I recorded an interview with Bombers coach Bob Anderson to run on my daily sports show, Sportsline on 1590 WAIK.  We discussed the ICAC Tournament, his Bombers team, and a pending all-sports co-op that could be in Williamsfield's future.

Game 85: North Fulton vs. Elmwood (Boy's Basketball)

Game 85
North Fulton vs. Elmwood (Boy's Basketball)
ICAC Tournament (@ Williamsfield)
(1/10/11)
There were some unique hairstyles sported by the North Fulton Wildcats.  Most notably was a mullet, not sure which player was adorning the "business in the front, party in the back," look.  Adam Bybee had a colored mohawk.

Game 84: Delavan vs. Illini Bluffs (Boy's Basketball)

Game 84
Delavan vs. Illini Bluffs (Boy's Basketball)
ICAC Tournament (@ Williamsfield)
(1/10/11)
Before I drove over to Williamsfield, I stopped at Subway for a late lunch/early dinner.  Today, I ordered a foot long Oven Roasted Chicken on monterrey cheddar with tomatoes, pickles, lettuce, and black olives.  It was good, however, Subway sandwiches seem to tear up my tongue.  Strange, I know. 

The Quest 2: 150 Statistical Update

The Quest 2: 150 By the Numbers
(1/9/11)

This Year's Quest 2: 150
Games Broadcasted:  83

Game 83: Macomb @ Galesburg (Boy's Basketball)

Game 83
Macomb @ Galesburg (Boy's Basketball)
(1/8/11)

The plan was to sneak out to Memorial Gym and take in part of the Monmouth College/Knox College basketball game.  It was about 4:30 when I left GHS, and headed over to Knox.  There wasn't a parking space within 2 blocks.  I figured by the time I found a parking spot, walked inside and sat down, it would be about time to turn around and head back out to the high school to prepare for the night broadcast.

Game 82: Queen of Peace @ Galesburg (Girl's Basketball)

Game 82
Queen of Peace @ Galesburg (Girl's Basketball)
(1/8/11)

My internal alarm clock rang just before 7:00 a.m. even though I stayed up working on things until after 1:00 a.m.  Oh well, this allowed me extra preparation for the doubleheader of Galesburg games at John Thiel Gymnasium.  Honestly, I am glad this week is over, I feel like a slacker.  Only 6 broadcasts, by far a season low this year.  It ramps up next week with a couple of tripleheaders on Monday and Wednesday in Williamsfield, and going to try and squeeze 5 broadcasts in at the King Tournament next Saturday in Galesburg. 

Game 81: Monmouth-Roseville @ Macomb (Boy's Basketball)

Game 81
Monmouth-Roseville @ Macomb (Boy's Basketball)
1/7/11

It's hard to fathom that I am broadcasting a game between the Bombers and the Titans, and I have seen the teams a combined....ONE time....all season!  I broadcasted Macomb Bombers basketball on K100 for three seasons, and covered the Monmouth-Roseville Titans for two seasons.  Every game, for each team in those years. 

Game 80: Galesburg @ Moline (Girl's Basketball)

Game 80
Galesburg @ Moline (Girl's Basketball)
1/6/11

The mode of transportation to Wharton Field House was a little different....it was my Explorer.  After 16 days of being without the old clunker, it returned from two trips to the shop.  The first trip was blogged about before my trips that took me all over the map of Illinois around Christmas.

Game 79: Princeville @ Stark County (Girl's Basketball)

Game 79
Princeville @ Stark County (Girl's Basketball)
1/5/11

It's been nearly two years to the day that I broadcasted my first game online with IHSSN. That first game came on January 15th, 2008 in Wyoming. It was for a girl's basketball game between host Stark County and visiting (Biggsville) West Central.

Game 78: Quincy Notre Dame @ PORTA (Girl's Basketball)

Game 78
Quincy Notre Dame @ PORTA (Girl's Basketball)
1/3/11

On paper, this Class 2A girl's basketball matchup looked like it could be a good one. At the conclusion of the contest, it was clear to see how good Quincy Notre Dame actually is.

In fact, I knew how good they would be, sort of. This was a team that lost their starting point guard Leigh McLaughlin (really, the engine of last year's Class 2A runner-up squad), along with Claire Obert, and All-Stater Karlee Gengenbacher (24 points/game).