Galesburg girls basketball continues winning ways
The Galesburg High School girls basketball team continued its push toward the top spot in Class 3A with its 11th consecutive victory, a 56-36 win over Rock Island on Jan. 8 at John Thiel Gymnasium.
The victory improved the Silver Streaks to 17-1 overall and 6-1 in the Western Big 6 Conference. As of Thursday, Galesburg was ranked No. 2 in the Associated Press Class 3A poll, trailing undefeated Washington (16-0).
Two other Western Big 6 teams are ranked in the top 10. Quincy Notre Dame, which Galesburg defeated earlier this season, is No. 7, while Sterling — the Silver Streaks’ lone loss — is ranked No. 8.
Galesburg will host Sterling later this season, and sophomore Zaniya Carter said she is eager for the rematch.
“Oh, I can’t wait,” Carter said. “We won’t lose to them this time.”
While proud of the team’s No. 2 ranking, Carter said the Silver Streaks are focused on staying grounded.
“We know last year we started winning and kind of lost focus on the big goal,” she said. “Then we ended up having a little losing stretch. We keep that in mind this year so we don’t get big-headed.”
At 6-1 in conference play, Galesburg sits atop the Western Big 6 standings, ahead of Quincy (5-1) and Moline (5-2), both of which the Silver Streaks have beaten.
Against Rock Island, Galesburg set the tone early with its trademark defensive press, forcing turnovers and converting them into points. The Silver Streaks opened the game on a 7-0 run and led 16-7 after the first quarter, with Carter, Jozalyn Kilgore and Lily Furrow each scoring seven points.
Galesburg extended the lead to 31-12 by halftime. Carter knocked down two 3-pointers, Furrow added two field goals, and Taylor Herchenroder contributed five points in the second quarter.
The Rocks matched Galesburg with 13 points in the third quarter, capitalizing on a few defensive breakdowns and downcourt passes to open shooters.
“I think we were starting to get tired,” Carter said. “Our minds started thinking, ‘Oh, we’re tired,’ and we just needed a reminder that there was still a lot of basketball left.”
The Silver Streaks regained control in the fourth quarter and pulled away for the 20-point win. Carter scored six of her game-high 21 points in the final period.
Galesburg will compete in the Illinois-Iowa Shootout at Augustana College’s Carver Center, where it will face Bettendorf at 6:20 p.m. The Silver Streaks then return home for a 7 p.m. Western Big 6 matchup Jan. 15 against Alleman.
Carter said she believes the team is prepared to head into the final stretch of the season and some tough conference games.
“We’re going to focus on taking care of our bodies first, so we can be ready for them and make sure we know what we’re going to do as a team and also know some of what they’ve got going on so we can be prepared for them,” she said.
Galesburg scoring: Carter 21, Jozalyn Kilgore 11, Lily Furrow 11, Ella Herchenroder 6, Taylor Herchenroder 5, Grace Herchenroder 1, Sophia Kisler 1.
Rock Island scoring: Jimara Combs 11, Makaeyla Wilkins 9, Ka’zaria Bell 5, Makayla Curry 5, Jaimyiah McNeal 2, Ella Leahy 1.
Galesburg swimming, diving stays perfect
The Galesburg boys swimming and diving team remained undefeated Thursday, improving to 4-0 with a 112-66 victory over Burlington on Jan. 8 at Mustain Pool.
The Silver Streaks will compete in the Normal Invitational on Jan. 10. Diving begins at 8:30 a.m., followed by swimming events at noon. The meet starts a stretch of five consecutive road events for Galesburg.
The Silver Streaks’ next home meet is scheduled for Jan. 27. Diving will begin at 4:30 p.m. at the Knox County Family YMCA pool, 1324 W. Carl Sandburg Drive, with swimming events starting at 5:30 p.m. at Mustain Pool.
GHS boys wrestling takes down Notre Dame
The Galesburg boys wrestling team defeated visiting Peoria Notre Dame, 35-29, in a dual meet Thursday in Wicall Gymnasium.
Varsity match winners for the Silver Streaks were DJ Heatherly by fall at 144 pounds; Beaudry Fisk by major decision, 13-0, at 150; Jack Bernardi by major decision, 18-6, at 157; Anthony Makwala by forfeit at 165; Mason Taylor by fall at 175; Braiden Tucker by decision, 10-6, at 190; and Cale Johnson by fall at 215.
Galesburg has three regular-season meets remaining before postseason competition. The Silver Streaks host Rockridge with Morrison at 5:30 p.m. Jan. 13, then travel to Alleman for a 6 p.m. match Jan. 15. They close the regular season at home with a triangular featuring United Township and Sterling.
The Western Big 6 Conference tournament is scheduled for Jan. 24, followed by Illinois High School Association regionals on Jan. 31.
Sandburg women win opening Arrowhead game
The Sandburg women’s basketball team opened Arrowhead Conference play with a 79-62 victory at Kishwaukee on Jan. 8 as Antonia Kisler and Camryn Atterberg each posted double-doubles.
The Chargers, two-time defending conference champions, won their fifth game in six outings and improved to 11-6 overall and 1-0 in league play. Sandburg outscored the host Kougars 26-15 in the second quarter to take a 42-30 halftime lead.
Atterberg finished with 11 points and 13 rebounds, tying her season high in both categories. The freshman from Keokuk, Iowa, was 4 of 10 from the field and grabbed 10 offensive rebounds. She also recorded a season-best six blocks, doubling her previous high.
Kisler led all scorers with 18 points and added 12 rebounds. The sophomore from Galesburg also had six assists and four steals, shooting 2 of 4 from 3-point range and 8 of 10 from the free-throw line.
Freshman Hailey Redding scored 13 points and pulled down nine rebounds, while Tiera Hall added eight points and nine boards.
Sandburg plays again at 5:30 p.m. Jan. 13 against Highland.
Charger men lose first Arrowhead matchup
Rylan Carton scored a season-high 23 points, but the Sandburg men’s basketball team dropped a 65-60 decision at Kishwaukee on Jan. 8 in its first Arrowhead Conference game.
The loss snapped a three-game winning streak for the Chargers, who led 30-28 at halftime but could not close out the Kougars.
Carton, a freshman from Sherrard, was 6 of 11 from the field and made 10 of 11 free throws. He added six rebounds and two assists. Carton has scored in double figures in all but two games this season, but Thursday marked his first 20-point outing. His previous high was 19 points Nov. 8 against Oakton.
Sophomore Matt Bockman tied his season high with 15 points, hitting two 3-pointers and going 5 of 7 from the free-throw line. The Decorah, Iowa, native also had six rebounds and three assists.
Keauntrey Barnes finished with eight points and eight rebounds, while Gavin Grothaus led Sandburg on the glass with nine rebounds, including five offensive boards.
Kishwaukee’s Ramsey Bethel recorded a triple-double with 27 points, 18 rebounds and 10 steals.
Sandburg returns to action at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 15 against Illinois Valley.
Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026
• GHS bowling at Streaks Invitational, 9:30 a.m.
• Knox track vs. St. Ambrose, 10 a.m.
• GHS girls basketball vs. Bettendorf at Illinois-Iowa Shootout, Carver Center at Augustana College, 6:20 p.m.
Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026
• GHS swim/dive at Normal Invitational, 8:30 a.m.
Monday, Jan. 12, 2026
• GHS girls wrestling at Geneseo Scramble, 6 p.m.
Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026
• GHS swim/dive at United Township, 4:30 p.m.
• GHS boys wrestling vs. Rockridge, Morrison, 5:30 p.m.
• Knox men’s basketball at Cornell, 5:30 p.m.
• GHS boys basketball vs. Sterling, 7 p.m.
• Knox women’s basketball at Cornell, 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026
• GHS bowling at Rock Island, 4 p.m.
