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?

It took me the better part of two days to finally discover the meaning of Rockford East's team nickname, the E-Rabs.  There weren't too many East fans that made the trip to Galesburg, and Jimmie Carr spoke with their head coach, Roy Sackmaster, I turned to the Internet. 

Buried deep in the comment section of a blog, was a mention of Rockford East, in an entry about odd high school mascots.  The commenter said that Rockford East, combined their school's name with the school colors, to make East Red And Black...E-RAB.  After reading this, it sounded familiar. 

Once our postgame show went final following the girl's basketball win over Centennial, I signed off and readied for the boy's contest.  At the start of the sophomore game, I headed down to the opposite corner of the gym, where the Galesburg coaches stand before the game.

While down there, I talked throughout the first half of the sophomore game with coach Mike Reynolds and his assistants; Steve Cheesman, Troy Noble, and Rob Williams.  We were discussing changes in the high school game of basketball over the years.  Outside of the obvious three-point line, they talked about how fouls were called at any contact being made, jump balls actually were jump balls, and players could set up below the low block on free throws. 

Jimmie talked with East head coach Roy Sackmaster, and had an impromptu discussion on 1998 basketball.  Sackmaster was a member of the Boylan Titans and played with former Illini Damir Krupalija.  Galesburg beat Boylan in 1998 on their way to the Class AA state championship game.  A member of that team, Steve Glasgow had gone over to talk with Sackmaster.  During the interview, Jimmie talked with both of them about the 1998 game.

Galesburg doubled up Rockford East in the 1st quarter, taking a 28-14 lead, and it was 44-34 at halftime.  The Silver Streaks had knocked down seven three-pointers in the first half.  Dalton Davis made three, and both Brandon and Chad Thompson each nailed two a piece.

It was 66-51 after three quarters, and the Silver Streaks piled up their 20th victory, winning 83-77.  The Streaks become the first Galesburg boy's basketball team to win 20 games since the 1997-98 season, and it's just the 3rd time in Silver Streaks boy's basketball to win 20 games dating back to the 1983-84 season.

Once again, the Thompson's were scoring juggernauts.  Brandon Thompson scored a game-high 30 points, and Chad Thompson added 21 points.  Dalton Davis (13) and Trimaine Carson (11) also scored double-digits for the Streaks.  Alonte Holliday, a senior who transferred from Guilford, led the E-Rabs with 20 points.  Steve McNease scored 18 points, and Darshawn Pumphrey-King added 11 points.

Brandon Thompson has averaged 23.5 points/game in last 4 games.

After the game, it was a stop at Buffalo Wild Wings.  I ordered a dozen Asian Zing wings, and Jimmie Carr and I discussed the pair of 20-win Galesburg Silver Streaks basketball teams.  We both agreed that we had expected good seasons from the two squads, but were a little surprised at the 20-5 and 20-3 records by the teams on January 22nd. 

Game 112 Miles:  55