Game 139: Alleman @ Galesburg (Boy's Basketball)

Silver Streaks Ready for Senior Night

Game 139
Alleman @ Galesburg (Boy's Basketball)
(2/18/11)

Senior Night for the Galesburg Silver Streaks, with a rare introduction for the seven players, Pioneers coach Bob Szorc, Matt Correthers sports a 'stache, and yet more fast food.



On Sportsline, Alleman coach Bob Szorc was supposed to call in for a preview of the Pioneers and Silver Streaks.  When the team arrived, Szorc came up to the broadcast booth and apologized repeatedly for missing the interview earlier.  He also apologized to Jimmie Carr.  Jimmie said it was a breath of fresh air to have a coach being so adamant in an apology.  I agree.

When we were talking, Alleman's Matt Correthers walked into the gym, sporting a mustache.  Szorc looked down and said, "Take it off." 

Galesburg assistant coach Steve Cheesman came up to the booth.  I had asked him about doing some special coverage of the American Legion state baseball tournament that Galesburg is hosting in July. 

The Silver Streaks sophomores beat Alleman, 50-46 and win their third consecutive game.  After the sophomore game, the senior cheerleaders were honored.  They were announced with their parents and stood out on the floor like most Senior Nights.  Then, the seven basketball players were announced briefly and came out (without parents).

The teams then took the floor and went through their warmups.  The National Anthem was then performed.  Jessica Howard was the flag raiser.  In her bio that was read at the gym, she noted that she would be going to school to become a nurse then, "work at a nursing home and take care of coach Evan Massey." 

Galesburg Senior Night

Following the National Anthem, the Alleman starting lineup was announced.  Then, the Galesburg seniors were honored before the tip.  I have never seen this done before, but surely would throw the opposition off, as the Pioneers were waiting out on the floor while the celebration of seniors was conducted. 

The seven seniors for the Silver Streaks are; Dalton Davis, Ryan McElmurry, Brandon Thompson, Garret Williams, Chad Thompson, Trimaine Carson, and Stefan Simic.

Brandon Thompson is planning on playing basketball at a four-year college.  He was a National Achievement Scholarship semi-finalist.  Stefan Simic is a foreign exchange student from Belgrade, Serbia.  He is going to continue his education in college in the United States, and then would like to play basketball in Europe.  Chad Thompson plans to major in physical therapy in college (and play basketball).  He is the grandson of former longtime Knox College coach Harley Knosher.  Ryan McElmurry plans to major in business.  He was named the Most Valuable Defensive player last year.  Dalton Davis plans to attend a four-year school and major in accounting and business management.  Trimaine Carson plans to attend a junior college in Iowa and play football.  Garret Williams is undecided on his future.  He is the son of assistant coach Rob Williams.

The air must have been let out of the basketball during the senior night celebration.  Neither team scored until the 3:39 mark in the 1st quarter.  It was only 12-5 after the 1st quarter, and the score was 18-15 at halftime. 

During the 3rd quarter, freshman coach Matt Pogue came over and handed me a sheet to announce for the upcoming golf outing.  It's great to promote events like this, mainly because that means the weather is warming up.  The boy's basketball golf outing is set for May 21st at Lake Bracken.

The Silver Streaks held on to their five-point lead throughout the 3rd quarter, and would win the game, 48-38.  McElmurry scored a game-high 14 points, Brandon Thompson scored 12 points, and Dalton Davis scored 11 points.  Matt Correthers, Austin Long, and Tyler Yeocum each scored 10 points for the Pioneers. 

Aslan Butler has been dismissed from the Silver Streaks basketball team.  He was one of the top players off the bench for Galesburg, in which the team was only seven players deep.  Some players saw more playing time tonight, with both Austin Gernant and Lamont Ross seeing some first half action.

Time...and Money Well Spent - Steak 'n Shake

After the game, I decided on a trip through the drive-thru.  My choice was Steak 'n Shake, and I opted for the portobello steak burger with a Coke.  After ordering a number eight, the voice on the other end asked me if I ordered a number three.  On the drive home, I kept repeating eight and three to figure out if they sounded similar.  They don't!

Game 139 Miles:  146