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.

I proclaimed that Galesburg was a better team than Moline back in late November.  This was/is not a slight on the Maroons, just a personal report from seeing the first game between the two teams back in November.  The first meeting went to Moline at John Thiel Gymnasium, 54-51.  It was a game filled with chippiness and a few technical fouls.

When the holiday tournament pairings came out for the Pekin Insurance Holiday Tournament, I was shocked that the Maroons were given the #2 seed.  Even more shocking, though, was how poorly Moline played in three of their four games at the tournament.  In following Galesburg through the Charleston Holiday Tournament, everyone was in amazement at the lopsided losses Moline was taking at Pekin.  Since that tournament, the Maroons went undefeated, and entered the Galesburg game winners of seven straight.  On the other side, Galesburg was on a 13-game winning streak, dating back to their home WB6 loss to United Township in mid-December.

In getting to the gym on Friday night, I walked in behind, and in front of, the Moline cheerleaders.  Nobody questioned me at the door, so either they knew me, or they thought I was just the ugly cheerleader. 

Before the game, I interviewed Silver Streaks head coach and Jimmie Carr interviewed Moline head coach Ryan Webber.  One of the most talked about sports topics in Galesburg has been the absence of fans at John Thiel Gymnasium, despite a pair of programs (boy's and girl's) on the verge of their 20th win and both state ranked.  Jay Redfern of the Galesburg Register-Mail wrote an editorial on this topic, HERE.  Aaron Frey also wrote a column on the lack of fans, HERE.

Jimmie and I discussed this very topic before the game.  As the sophomore game neared an end, I commented to Jimmie that I felt the crowd would be bigger by this point in the night.  He agreed, and we both thought we had already seen the largest crowd for a game at GHS this season, when the Streaks hosted Rock Island in December.  However, the fans continued to trickle in just before tipoff, and a very nice crowd was on hand, and it most likely surpassed the Rock Island gate.

Fred Mims (GHS Class of '68)
photo: University of Iowa

During my interview with Galesburg head coach Mike Reynolds, we talked about Alumni Night.  A ceremony was going to be held after the game, as all former Silver Streaks were invited back for the game and speech.  The keynote speaker was Fred Mims (GHS Class of '68).  Mims is now the Associate Director of Athletics at the University of Iowa.  When I was talking with Reynolds during halftime of the sophomore game, Mims was standing nearby.  He was going to be talking with the varsity Silver Streaks at the end of the sophomore halftime, so I asked if he had a few minutes for an interview.  He obliged, and I asked him about his time as a Silver Streak in the 1960's under coach John Thiel, his time at Iowa, and playing in the Houston Astros minor league organization.

The Silver Streaks gave the alumni something to cheer about, taking a 14-9 lead after the 1st quarter, and a 23-16 halftime lead.  Brandon Thompson was well on his way for another big night, scoring 11 points in the first half.  During the break, Jimmie interviewed Galesburg High School senior Ryan Ricketts.  He has committed to play football at Western Illinois University.

WAIK Halftime Guest: Ryan Ricketts

Ricketts comes from a very athletic family.  His older brother Zach will be working on the groundscrew for the Boston Red Sox this summer.  His older sister Kelly, plays basketball at Knox College.

After halftime, Brandon Thompson picked up from where he left off, scoring 6 more points in the 3rd quarter, in which the Streaks jumped out to a 16 point lead at one point.  However, Moline went on an 11-0 run to make it a 5-point game.  Galesburg outscored Moline 26-20 in the 4th quarter to claim the 68-55 win, and improve to 19-3 on the season.  The win puts Galesburg and Moline at 3-2 in Western Big 6 play, both behind Rock Island (5-0).

Brandon Thompson scored 24 points, matching his teammate Chad Thompson (no relation).  The "Thompson Twins" combined to go 18-21 from the free throw line.  Garrett Williams had a big second half, scoring 13 points.  Anthony Lindauer finished with a team-high 23 points, knocking down some incredible shots from long range.  Many people I talked to throughout the weekend commented on what a lethal shooter Lindauer is, who is just a junior.  He has one of the quickest shots I've seen this year, and during the Galesburg game, attemped a shot a step inside the half court line, like he was shooting a 12-foot jumper.  If I were to make out a list of "players I'd pay to see," Anthony Lindauer would be at or near the top.

Game 109 Miles:  100