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| Wharton Field House |
Galesburg @ Moline (Boy's Basketball)
(2/25/11)
The final game of the regular season, at the storied Wharton Field House in Moline. Galesburg is playing for a tie for 2nd place in the Western Big 6, while the host Maroons are looking to claim 2nd place outright. Moline junior guard Anthony Lindauer is also looking to become the WB6 scoring champ for the 2010-11 season. Galesburg head coach Mike Reynolds was also serving his automatic one-game suspension for picking up two technicals and ejected from the Peoria Notre Dame game on Tuesday.
Today was a "vacation" day to cover the Class 1A/2A girl's basketball state finals. When I turned in the requests, I failed to remember that the Silver Streaks had their regular season finale during the small-school girl's basketball finals. Instead of working at the office, I kept the day off, slept in, and most importantly caught up on some work.
I picked Jimmie up and we headed to Moline. Normally, I park in the main lot on the east side of the gymnasium. However, my wise old cohort directed me to the west side lot and the back entrance. "Front Row Jimmie" knows his parking spots!
A couple of the Moline custodians remarked at how early we were. I like hearing those comments, because it makes me feel like I am right on time. A broadcast goes much smoother when there is time to unwind and get a lay of the land.
We beat the Galesburg team by about 20 minutes. When the Streaks showed up, I had a conversation with sophomore coach Ryan Hart. I asked how he and girl's basketball scoring leader Jessica Howard, were related. He said they are 2nd cousins....but they are also cousins through marriage. He explained it, but I wasn't taking notes. He also talked about a couple of Galesburg freshman, Bo Purifoy and Mark Skelley, and how he probably wouldn't have them next year, as they would most likely be on varsity. In Reynolds absense, Hart was next in the pecking order to talk with Jimmie on the post game show. Acting head coach Steve Cheesman did the WGIL post game show, while Hart did the WAIK post game show.
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| Jimmie Carr with Ryan Hart |
Coach Cheesman and I conducted the pre game interview very early on, enabling Jimmie to get Moline coach Ryan Webber. Webber is a Galesburg graduate, and Mr. Carr tends to go long with the former Silver Streak.
In passing, Cheesman and I talked a little baseball, relaying the information that Bob Schlemmer had given me regarding the 1988 Silver Streaks state championship getting honored during the IHSA state finals in Peoria this June. He mentioned that the 1971 American Legion State Tournament champions would be honored this summer. Galesburg is hosting State Tournament this July, and it's only fitting with the 40th anniversary of the Galesburg Post 285 state championship, that they be honored. Steve told me that all 15 members of that team will be returning for the ceremony.
Jimmie tracked down coach Webber, and I headed over to talk with the Galesburg assistant coaches Rob Williams and Troy Noble. Let's just say this was no MENSA meeting! Topics of our discussion included the Pontiac gym (where the Galesburg girls are playing their Supersectional on Monday), Sports Illustrated writers (namely Rick Reilly), and the photo of Galesburg Register-Mail assistant sports editor, Aaron Frey. Williams also told us that his son, Garrett, was given a nickname by an opposing player in summer league last year, that he takes offense to. Frey joined us for the conversation, and we talked about the girl's sectional title win over Richwoods. Another point of our talk was whether or not an Elite Eight appearance (Supersectional) is considered a state appearance. I had asked Matt Troha of the IHSA earlier in the day, and he confirmed my belief. When the switch was made from two classes to four classes, the IHSA no longer considers a Supersectional appearance an official state appearance.
WGIL play-by-play man Brad Bennewitz came up and asked me about my problems at Peoria Notre Dame on Tuesday. I explained what had happened, and said it was one of those broadcasts you want to forget. He related to his broadcast with the boy's at Metamora in December when they had many problems with the connection.
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| Jimmie Carr and Harley Knosher |
Knox College coaching legend Harley Knosher joined Jimmie Carr on the pregame show. I didn't have a head set on, so I will have to listen back to hear what the content of the interview was about. Knosher played basketball at Miami-Ohio with Wayne Embry.
In the first quarter, Chad Thompson drained three three-pointers for the Silver Streaks, and Galesburg led 14-6 after eight minutes. The Silver Streaks continued their hot shooting from outside, and had knocked down eight three-pointers in the first half.
Galesburg led 27-24 at halftime. Thompson had four three-pointers and both Garrett Williams and Brandon Thompson each added a pair of three-pointers. Anthony Lindauer had 13 points in the first half. He needed 19 points to surpass Chasson Randle for the Western Big 6 scoring championship this season. He would secure that title on a three-pointer in the 4th quarter, and finished with a team-high 23 points.
At the half, Jimmie was joined by Frey. They touched on a lot of things including tonight's game, the season, and the girl's game on Thursday.
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| Aaron Frey of Galesburg Register-Mail |
A back-and-forth game in the final frame. Chad Thompson scored 9 points in the last eight minutes, and finished with a game-high 26 points.
In the final minute, Garrett Williams had a big rebound on the run, dished off to Ryan McElmurry for a layup, securing the Galesburg victory. The Silver Streaks would finish out for a 51-46 win. Galesburg committed 13 turnovers, while Moline turned it over 12 times. Galesburg finishes the season with a 24-6 record, while Moline wraps up the regular season at 17-12.
Fortunately, nothing ugly happened after the game. As Galesburg walked off the court and into the tunnel to the locker room, a swarm of Moline students hovered around, creating some tense moments. Very proud of Galesburg's Trimaine Carson and Dalton Davis, the last two off the court. Both of them looked straight ahead and ignored the Moline taunts.
Following the game, Jimmie and I meandered to Montana Jack's, near the airport. I ordered a Mushroom & Swiss Burger with Fries. It was delicious, and I didn't think to take a picture, d'oh! I really enjoy mushroom & swiss burgers, but the fast food chains have that sauce and they are pretty sloppy and not enjoyable. This burger had the small full mushrooms (not exactly sure what they're real name is), with the swiss cheese on the burger like a cheeseburger. We were entertained by a lady sitting next to Jimmie at the bar. It was late, so we didn't want to bother a waitress out on the floor (likely excuse). When our neighbor learned that we were in town covering high school basketball, she said she was from: "Daaaaavenport Sssshen.....trrrrrl." Another line..."I manage 336 apartments, it's tough....that's why I drink."
Game 143 Miles: 230
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