Fast start sets the tone
The Galesburg boys basketball team opened with a fury in the first quarter of its Western Big 6 matchup with Sterling and didn’t let up, defeating the Golden Warriors 54-34 on Jan. 13 at John Thiel Gym.
Despite playing without head coach Taylor Thiel, who was suspended for one game following three technical fouls in a Jan. 9 loss at Moline, the Silver Streaks seized control from the opening tip.
“We left Moline with a sour taste in our mouths,” assistant coach Joey Range said. “We wanted to come out with energy, focus on defense and try to force them into using timeouts early.”
Galesburg did just that, opening on a 13-2 run and closing the first quarter with a 19-6 lead. The Silver Streaks forced turnovers, controlled the glass and limited Sterling’s open looks.
Defense fuels early surge
Senior Rahkim McCellan said the team carried over its intensity from the loss at Moline.
“The way we played Moline is probably how we should play every game,” McCellan said. “We looked at this as a new opportunity after a hard-fought loss.”
Keigen Crummer led the opening surge with nine first-quarter points. Tobi Kivunina and Eden Mayala added four points apiece, and McCellan scored two as Galesburg capitalized on Sterling mistakes.
The Silver Streaks’ offense slowed slightly in the second quarter, but the defense remained aggressive, limiting Sterling to seven points and taking a 31-13 lead into halftime.
“We had a good scouting report,” Range said. “We knew to run and jump on them and take advantage of some matchups, and we did that.”
Holding off rally
The second half came down to Galesburg’s defense holding off any potential rally. The Silver Streaks outscored Sterling 23-22 after halftime, though most of the Warriors’ points came during reserve time late in the game.
The Silver Streaks held Sterling to 34 points, the third-lowest total Galesburg has allowed this season. McCellan said defensive leadership is a key part of his role.
“My main role on the team is to help on defense because sometimes, down the stretch, we’re just not doing it,” McCellan said. “We need players to come in and bring back that good defense we can always have.”
Standings and what’s next
The win moved Galesburg back above .500 at 9-8 overall and tied the Silver Streaks with Sterling for fourth place in the Western Big 6 at 2-4. The loss was Sterling’s eighth straight and dropped the Golden Warriors to 4-14.
Galesburg has a busy stretch ahead with three games in two days, all at home. Geneseo (8-9) visits for a 7 p.m. game Jan. 16. The Silver Streaks then host the MLK Day Tournament, playing Danville (3-7) at 10:30 a.m. and Gary Comer College Prep (7-9) at 7:30 p.m.
Scoring
Galesburg: Keigen Crummer 11, Tobi Kivunina 10, Eden Mayala 10, Jaxon Wyatt 10, Rahkim McCellan 6, Demetrius Watson 5, Cesaire Bile 2.
Sterling: Xavian Prathel 8, AJ Coleman 8, Jack Saathoff 5, Cale Nettleton 5, Brady Berlin 5, DeAndre Maas 2, Koby Bell 2.
The Galesburg boys swimming team swept all but one event to defeat United Township 124-45 on Jan. 13 in East Moline, remaining undefeated in dual meets at 5-0.
The Silver Streaks next compete in the Grayhound Invite at 10 a.m. Jan. 17 in Burlington.
The Silver Streaks have two remaining regular-season matches before the Western Big 6 Conference championships. Galesburg competes at Alleman at 6 p.m. Jan. 15, then hosts a conference triangular with United Township and Sterling at 6 p.m. Jan. 22.
The Galesburg boys wrestling team split its matches Jan. 13 at Wicall Gym, losing to Morrison 39-38 before defeating Rockridge 46-36.
The conference championships begin at 9 a.m. Jan. 24 at United Township.
Four players scored in double figures as the Sandburg women’s basketball team rolled to a 90-60 Arrowhead Conference victory over Highland on Jan. 14.
The Chargers improved to 12-6 overall and 2-0 in conference play, extending their winning streak to three games and winning for the sixth time in their last seven outings. Sandburg led wire to wire and knocked down 11 3-pointers, its fifth straight game with double-digit makes from beyond the arc.
Freshman Hailey Redding led all scorers with 23 points, hitting 8 of 12 shots from the field and 5 of 7 from 3-point range. It was her fourth 20-point performance of the season and third in the last four games.
Antonia Kisler finished with 13 points and nine rebounds, adding five steals and three assists. Freshman Camryn Atterberg scored 12 points on 5-of-8 shooting and grabbed seven rebounds, while sophomore Tiera Hall contributed 10 points, nine rebounds, four assists and two steals.
Freshman Lajaya Angel came off the bench to lead the Chargers with 10 rebounds.
After a 7-6 lead early in the first quarter, Sandburg hit four consecutive 3-pointers in less than two minutes to build a 19-6 advantage. Redding connected on three of the shots, while sophomore Tyriunna Steele added the fourth.
The Chargers led 31-15 after the first quarter and carried a 50-32 lead into halftime.
Sandburg returns to action at 5:30 p.m. Thursday against Illinois Valley.
Cornell edged Knox College 69-63 in a Midwest Conference women’s basketball game Jan. 13 in Galesburg.
Knox fell to 5-9 overall and 4-2 in conference play.
Cornell led by as many as 12 points in the third quarter. The Prairie Fire cut into the deficit but never closed within five.
Erin Knowles led Cornell with 34 points on 9-of-16 shooting. The Rams shot 41.7% (20 of 48) from the field, while Knox shot 35.8% (19 of 53).
Points off turnovers proved decisive. Cornell converted 21 Knox turnovers into 25 points, while the Prairie Fire managed 10 points off 17 Cornell miscues.
Bria Medina paced Knox with 22 points and a team-high five assists. Kylee Callahan added 12 points, and Izzy Robinson finished with 10 points and eight rebounds. Nayeli Nidez Acuna posted eight points and nine rebounds, and Carly Smith scored seven.
Knox hosts Lake Forest at 3 p.m. Jan. 17.
The Knox College men’s basketball team struggled against Cornell’s pressure defense in a 92-68 Midwest Conference loss Jan. 13 in Galesburg.
Knox dropped to 6-9 overall and 2-4 in conference play.
The Prairie Fire committed 24 turnovers, which Cornell converted into 24 points.
The game was close early before a 15-5 Cornell run turned a 14-14 tie into a 29-19 Rams lead with 6:18 left in the first half. Cornell carried a 42-28 advantage into halftime.
Cornell shot efficiently, hitting 13 of 23 shots (56.5%) in the first half. The Rams also went 4 of 9 from 3-point range and 12 of 13 from the free-throw line before the break.
Knox shot 36.5% (23 of 63) from the field for the game.
Josh Stewart recorded his second straight double-double with 14 points and a team-high 12 rebounds. Russell Wright led Knox with 16 points and added six rebounds. Carl Dortch scored nine points, while Noah Campbell and Willie Rogers III added eight apiece.
Knox hosts Lake Forest at 1 p.m. Jan. 17.
Thursday, Jan. 15
Friday, Jan. 16
Saturday, Jan. 17
