Game 81
(2/4/10)
Alleman @ Galesburg (Girl's Basketball)
This game would be the final Western Big 6 game of the year for Alleman, as they have dropped from Class 3A to Class 2A this season. In the first matchup, the teams went overtime with Alleman pulling out a (79-73) win. The host Pioneers went (13-16) from the free throw line in the extra session.
It was learned this week that Galesburg has set the National three-point attempts record, with (1,219) heading into this game. The Streaks are #2 nationally in three-pointers made (334), needing 60 to tie Stockton, CA for the national record (694). Galesburg has three regular season games (including this game), plus the postseason, which they host the Regional.
I decided for a late lunch today, after eating a decent breakfast at home (scrambled eggs, toast, banana). I enjoyed a 6 inch Chicken Salad sub from Subway with Baked Lays and a Coca-Cola. I took off for Galesburg a little early and spoke with my good friend, Scott Sierens, on the way over. He lives in Elgin and was headed to the city.
After pulling up to the high school, I unloaded the equipment and headed in around 4:50. I got everything set up, filled out the scorebook and headed down to talk with Alleman head coach Jay Hatch. His team can adapt to any style thrown at the Pioneers, witness by a low scoring victory over Quincy (38-29) and the high scoring matchup in the first meeting with the Streaks (79-73). When I posed the question on which style benefits his team the best, he replied the one when his team comes out on top.
Noticing my memory was at capacity in my digital recorder, I had to delete several old interviews before talking with coach Evan Massey. He informed me that Sadee Hamilton was still not quite ready for game play, and that Baylie Boyer's ankle hurts more now than two weeks ago, when she first wore the boot.
My broadcast partner, Jimmie Carr, was already in the booth, and we talked about the last meeting between these teams, and the upcoming "Chicago weekend" for Galesburg. The Streaks boys take on Blue Island Eisenhower on Saturday at the United Center, while the girls are at Class 4A (#8) New Trier on Saturday afternoon.
The Pioneers started off slow, turning the ball over eight times in the first quarter. The Streaks were hot in the opening frame, knocking down five three-pointers and taking a (17-14) lead. Little did the Streaks fans know, that only two more three's would be drained by the hometown team.
Alleman's ball handling woes continued into the second quarter, finishing the first half with 17 turnovers, while the Streaks didn't really capitalize on those mistakes, trailing by six at the half (35-29). Galesburg had 12 first half turnovers.
Galesburg got into foul trouble in the first half, whistled for 11 fouls. Senior Shelby Pacheco picked up her third late in the second quarter. The Streaks shot (4-6) from the line in the first half, one of their struggles.
A friendly gentleman (didn't get his name) dropped off some homemade cookies for Jimmie and I at halftime. Fortunately I had a long commercial break just getting started, so I was able to devour the delicious eats.
The Streaks started a run in the third quarter, and would outscore the visitors (19-13) in the third quarter to tie the game up (48-48) heading into the last eight minutes. Alleman would jump back in and make some runs, but the Streaks were able to keep pace.
Late in the fourth quarter (1:17), there was about a five-minute delay after what appeared to be Angie Ledford's fifth foul. Coach Hatch argued it was only her fourth foul. Going back earlier in the game, there was a discrepancy on a foul that was initially called on Ledford (#4), but changed to Selam Mulugeta (#40). The official's were pretty vague when calling fouls on Ledford and Mulugeta, hard to read if the foul was on 4 or 40. The situation was cleared up, and it was just the fourth foul on Ledford.
Speaking of fouls, how often does every senior foul out of the game...on Senior Night! A rarity on this night. Maddy Boyer became the first senior to foul out of the game, then her teammate Shelby Pacheco got the heave-ho picking up her 5th foul. When she picked up her fifth, I made a mention that the other senior, Sara Baker, still needed two more fouls to make it a hat trick. Baker would, indeed, pick up that last foul and have to leave the game.
Down the stretch, the Streaks found themselves down, 63-58 with 0:18 to play. Galesburg had the posession and Jamie Johnson forced up a prayer of a three-pointer that banked off the glass and went through. She also drew contact and a foul, and converted the rare four-point play the most opportune of times. That would draw the deficit to just one point, 63-62.
Alleman's Abbie Ledford would get fouled on the inbound pass and go to the line, where she missed the first free throw, and sank the second shot, making it 64-62. The Streaks had trouble on their posession getting any open looks. At the buzzer, a wide open Paige Klinck launched a three from the right side wing, and just rimmed out. The Pioneers would prevail, 64-62, and win their 20th game of the season.
Angie Ledford scored 17 points, a game-high, to lead Alleman. Selam Mulugeta added 14 points, A.J. Ledbetter pitched in 13 points, and Andi Mills added 10 points. Alleman committed 32 turnovers, compared to Galesburg's 14, but went 21-29 (72%) from the free throw line.
Galesburg meanwhile, shot just 11-20 (55%) from the line. The Streaks were led by Jamie Johnson with 15 points, while Sara Baker added 11 points, and Jessica Howard and Shelby Pacheco each scored 10 points.
Driving down Route 41 on the way home, I almost smacked a deer south of Abingdon. I couldn't quite tell how big it was, but did know it would have done significant damage to my vehicle. There were two deer (that I saw), one ran in front of me, the other stayed in the opposite ditch. I came out unscathed, and safely made it home.
The Quest File Notes
Game 81
Date: 2/4/10
Result: Alleman holds off Galesburg despite several more turnovers (32-14), winning (64-62).
Miles: 100
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