Galesburg High School
Galesburg girls roll past Alleman with big second quarter
Galesburg exploded in the second quarter to turn a tight game with Alleman into a rout, defeating the Pioneers 47-25 on Jan. 15 at John Thiel Gym.
The win was the 13th straight for the Silver Streaks, improving them to 19-1 overall and 7-1 in the Western Big 6, where they hold a half-game lead over second-place Quincy (6-1).
Galesburg led 9-7 after the first quarter, with both teams struggling from the field. Alleman tied the game at 9 coming out of the break, but the Streaks responded with 10 straight points to seize control.
“We didn’t shoot the ball great first half,” Lily Furrow said. “I think we were like one for seven from threes. So, we talked a lot about getting a ball inside. We started looking for the post a lot more just so then people would collapse, which would leave our guards open, which allowed them to either shoot the ball or attack, and that helped our offense a lot.”
Head coach Lexi Demott said the team simply wasn’t sharp early, particularly with Alleman’s defensive movement.
“Once we were finally able to make shots, then our defense was able to help our offense,” she said, “and that’s something we talk about quite a bit. And so that was able to get us a burst in what we were doing.”
Defense fuels decisive run
Galesburg’s defensive pressure re-emerged in the second quarter, forcing turnovers and turning them into points.
Zaniyah Carter scored six of her team-high 15 points in the period. Furrow added all four of her total points in the quarter, while Eleanor Johnson, Grace Herchenroder and Jozalyn Kilgore each contributed baskets as the Streaks pushed their lead to 26-14 at halftime.
The third quarter opened with several Galesburg turnovers, allowing Alleman to pull within eight. But the Streaks answered again, scoring the final 10 points of the quarter to take a 38-20 lead.
Galesburg extended the margin to 22 early in the fourth, and both teams began working in reserves.
Physical play sets tone
It was a scrappy, physical game throughout, with players diving for loose balls, creating multiple jump-ball situations and sending bodies to the floor.
Furrow said the physicality forces the Streaks to stay mentally steady.
“But it’s fun when it’s aggressive because then it gets us going,” she said. “It makes us have more energy; the other team has energy. It just gets the whole crowd going as well.”
Tough tests ahead
Galesburg faces a major test next, taking on 19-2 Loyola Academy of Wilmette at 1:30 p.m. Jan. 17. The Streaks then return home for a conference matchup with Sterling at 7 p.m. Jan. 22. Sterling handed Galesburg its only loss of the season.
Demott said she likes where her team stands entering the stretch run.
“Obviously, there are always things that we can work on to get better to sharpen up,” she said, “and I think we’re right on track of where we need to be. I’m excited for the next couple of weeks. We have Sterling coming back here. So that’ll be exciting. I think we have four more home conference games and then two away.”
Galesburg scoring: Khloe May 2, Zaniyah Carter 15, Taylor Herchenroder 7, Ella Herchenroder 3, Grace Herchenroder 8, Jozalyn Kilgore 6, Lily Furrow 4, Eleanor Johnson 2.
Alleman scoring: Lindsey Britton 3, Jillian Hoffman 16, Megan Hulke 1, Alyssa Brinkman 2, Lillian Hennis 3.
Carl Sandburg College
Sandburg men romp after 17-0 run vs. Illinois Valley
A huge first-half run propelled the Sandburg men’s basketball team to a 90-76 Arrowhead Conference win Jan. 16 over Illinois Valley, giving the Chargers their fourth victory in the last five games.
Already ahead 26-21 with 6:00 left in the opening half, Sandburg (10-7, 1-1) went on a 17-0 run to break the game open. Freshman James Blackwell had a layup off a steal early in the stretch, and Lewis Siegfried, Keauntrey Barnes and Matt Bockman each hit a 3-pointer during the surge.
The run ended with Barnes blocking a shot on the defensive end, leading to a Rylan Carton alley-oop layup from Bockman for a 43-21 lead with 3:04 left in the half.
Barnes led four Chargers in double figures with 19 points and 10 rebounds on 6-of-8 shooting. The double-double was the fourth this season for the sophomore from Farmington.
Carton added 16 points on 7-of-12 shooting. Bockman scored 14, including 11 in the first half.
Freshman Ashton Grieves finished with 11 points while going 3 of 6 from the field and 4 of 6 at the foul line. It was his first double-figure outing since Nov. 18 at Lincoln Land. He missed five games in December with an injury, and Thursday marked his most extensive action in the five games since returning.
Sandburg returns to action at 3 p.m. Jan. 17 against Blackhawk Technical.
Sandburg women beat Illinois Valley for fourth straight win
The Sandburg women’s basketball team blitzed Illinois Valley early and earned its fourth straight win, beating the Eagles 69-50 on Jan. 15.
The victory was the seventh in the last eight games for the Chargers (13-6, 3-0), who scored the final 17 points of the first quarter and the first five of the second to build a 25-5 lead.
Freshman Hailey Redding delivered a game-best 20 points, giving her four 20-point outings in her last five games. She went 7 of 18 from the field and hit three 3-pointers.
Sophomore Paige Huffman added 12 points off the bench, going 4 for 11 from beyond the arc. Her 12 points matched her season high, and she grabbed a season-best seven rebounds.
Antonia Kisler contributed 10 points, seven rebounds and six assists. Fellow sophomore Tiera Hall pulled down a team-high 11 rebounds to go with six points, four assists and six steals.
Sandburg, which led 41-20 at halftime, finished with 10 3-pointers for its sixth straight game with double-digit makes from long range.
The Chargers face Sauk Valley at 5:30 p.m. Jan. 20.
Knox College
Knox women’s rally falls short against Cornell
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 percent (20 of 48) from the field, while Knox shot 35.8 percent (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 returns to action hosting Lake Forest at 3 p.m. Jan. 17.
Cornell dominates Knox men in Midwest Conference action
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, especially in the opening half, hitting 13 of 23 shots (56.5 percent). The Rams also went 4 of 9 from 3-point range and 12 of 13 from the free-throw line in the first half.
Knox shot 36.5 percent (23 of 63) from the field for the game.
Josh Stewart recorded his second straight double-double for the Prairie Fire 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.