The Galesburg Silver Streaks girls basketball is coming off a very impressive 25-4 regular season, including finishing 2nd in the Western Big 6, 1st at the Mattoon Christmas Tourney, and being ranked #2 by the AP for 3A Schools.
East Peoria Regional Brackets
Monday, February 16
6 pm- Galesburg (25-4) vs. East Peoria (3-26)
7:30 pm- Morton (23-6) vs Limestone (9-22)
Thursday, February 19
6 pm- Championship Game- Winners of the Semi-Finals Play
The Regional Team
East Peoria Raiders
The Raiders finished 0-12 in the Mid-Illini Conference. In the Mid-Illini, East Peoria lost the 12 games by an average of 39 points, including a 100-14 loss to Washington. East Peoria’s three wins this season were over Peoria, Rantoul, and Streator.
Galesburg Silver Streaks
The Streaks only four losses were to powerful Quincy, Loyola, Sterling, and Rock Island.
Galesburg has beaten six teams who were State Ranked at the time of the game- Metamora, Peoria ND, Teutopolis (2A), Bettendorf (Iowa), Sterling, and Morton.
The Streaks are experienced. Joz Kilgore, Taylor Herchenroder, and Ella Herchenroder are in their third year as varsity regulars. Zaniyah Carter, Lily Furrow, Grace Herchenroder, and Khloe May are in their second year as regulars.
Galesburg is led in scoring by sophomore guard, Zaniyah Carter. “Z” is a quick guard with three point range, who is averaging around 14ppg.
Galesburg is deep and balanced. Joz Kilgore, Taylor Herchenroder, Ella Herchenroder, Elle Johnson, Grace Herchenroder, Khloe May and Lily Furrow have all had games where they have scored in double figures.
The Silver Streaks are all about pressure. Their run and jump press has created havoc for even veteran guards. If Galesburg matches up vs Morton again, a huge key will be if Galesburg’s pressure can disrupt Morton’s offense and create turnovers.
Limestone Rockets
The Rockets enter the contest at 9-22. During the regular season, Morton defeated Limestone 73-33 and 72-30.
Morton Potters
Morton is with first year head coach, Jamie King. He is replacing legendary coach, Bob Becker. Jamie King was not on Bob Becker’s staff.
Morton had winning streaks of 11 to start the season, and later of 7. The Potters have played a very impressive schedule, matching up with 12 teams who were State Ranked at the time of the game. Their wins vs State Ranked teams- Alton, Metamora, Dixon, Trinity, Washington, and Richwoods. All six of their losses were to teams who were State Ranked at the time of the game- DePaul Academy, Freeport, Glenwood, Metamora, Galesburg and Washington.
Morton’s biggest win of the season was over #1 ranked Washington 41-37. Washington got revenge in the last game of the regular season, the Potters were crushed 57-37.
Galesburg defeated Morton at Morton in January by a 38-34 score. The Streaks pressure exposed a ball handling problem for the Potters, as Morton had numerous turnovers in the game.
The Potters are led by standout juniors, Paige Selke (5’11”) and Abby VanMeenan (6’0”). The two were regulars for Coach Becker as freshmen and sophomores, and are considered to be one of the best tandems in central Illinois.
Galesburg Sectional
The winner of the East Peoria Regional will advance to Galesburg for the Sectional. The dates of the Galesburg Sectional will be:
Tuesday, February 24
6 pm- East Peoria Regional Winner vs Metamora Regional Winner
7:30 pm- Dunlap Regional Winner vs LaSalle-Peru Regional Winner
Thursday, February 26
6 pm- Sectional Championship
Highest Seeds
East Peoria Regional- 2- Galesburg, 3- Morton
Metamora Regional- 1- Metamora, 4- Kankakee
Dunlap Regional- 1- Washington, 4- Peoria ND, 5- Dunlap
LaSalle-Peru Regiona- 2- Sterling, 3- Ottawa
Silver Streaks Players
#3 Khloe May
5’2” Senior
Favorite Post-Game Spot to Eat
We had Chipotle one night on the Ohio trip
Favorite Morning Drink
Strawberry Crème Frappuccino from Starbucks
Sports Hero
LaMelo Ball
One Word to Describe Your Team
Driven
One Word to Describe Coach Demott
Motivated
Season Highlight So Far
Win at Morton
Key to Post-Season Success
Staying together, with everything and every team we have coming our way the only thing that’s going to keep us going is each other
#4 Olivia Springer
5’6” Senior
Favorite Post-Game Spot to Eat
BWWs or Culver’s
Favorite Morning Drink
A bompop from Java
Sports Hero
Kobe
One Word to Describe Your Team
Dynamic
One Word to Describe Coach Demott
Dedicated
Season Highlight So Far
Beating #1 ranked Morton, the energy throughout the gym whether on the court, bench, or in the stands was intense and an amazing feeling.
Key to Post-Season Success
Pushing ourselves and each other everyday in practice to get better and improve will be key moving forward in the post season.
#5 Zaniyah Carter
5’7” Sophomore
Favorite Post-Game Spot to Eat
Sidetrax and ice cream
Favorite Morning Drink
Strawberry açaí refresher from Starbucks
Sports Hero
Juju Watkins
One Word to Describe Your Team
Dynamic
One Word to Describe Coach Demott
Dedicated
Season Highlight So Far
Having khloe at team dinners to make me laugh
Key to Post-Season Success
To win
#10 Taylor Herchenroder
5’7” Junior
Favorite Post-Game Spot to Eat
Sidetracks or Culver’s
Favorite Morning Drink
Java
Favorite Sports Hero
Bergen Reilly
One Word to Describe Your Team
Unique
One Word to Describe Coach Demott
Dedicated
Season Highlight So Far
Beating Morton and winning the Mattoon tourney
Key to Post-Season Success
Don’t take plays off
#11 Ella Herchenroder
5’7” Junior
Favorite Post-Game Spot to Eat
DQ or anywhere with ice cream
Favorite Morning Drink
Didi Pickle at Java
Favorite Sports Hero
Paige Beckers
One Word to Describe Your Team
Hustle
One Word to Describe Coach Demott
Determined
Season Highlight So Far
Beating Quincy in double OT
Key to Post-Season Success
Be strong, hustle, move on
#12 Grace Herchenroder
5’7” Junior
Favorite Post-Game Spot to Eat
Sidetracks or DQ
Favorite Morning Drink
Java
Favorite Sports Hero
Steph Curry
One Word to Describe Your Team
Amazing
One Word to Describe Coach Demott
Fun
Season Highlight So Far
Beating morton
Key to Post-Season Success
Keep working hard and have the right mindset
#14 Izzy Kennedy
5’6” Sophomore
Favorite Post-Game Spot to Eat
Culver’s for their ice cream.
Favorite Morning Drink
Cannonball drink at Starbucks
Favorite Sports Hero
Paige Bueckers
One Word to Describe Your Team
Determined
One Word to Describe Coach Demott
Very Strategic
Season Highlight So Far
Going to Matoon and winning the tournament.
Key to Post-Season Success
In order to be successful in post season we will have to have a positive mindset and be willing to give 110% every chance we get to play.
#15 Kalei Rice
5’4” Junior
Favorite Post-Game Spot to Eat
Sidetrax
Favorite Morning Drink
Orange Cup Didi Pickle
Favorite Sports Hero
Jocelyn Alo
One Word to Describe Your Team
Hard workers
One Word to Describe Coach Demott
Motivating
Season Highlight So Far
Winning against Morton
Key to Post-Season Success
Working together,communication
#20 Joz Kilgore
5’11” Junior
Favorite Post-Game Spot to Eat
Sidetrax after home games they always take great care of the team. Or somewhere with ice cream
Favorite Morning Drink
Java
Favorite Sport Hero
My dad, one of my biggest supporters, always giving extra time, tips and confidence.
One Word to Describe Your Team
Relentless
One Word to Describe Coach Demott
Driven
Season Highlight To Date
For the team it would be winning the Mattoon tournament it was one of our goals this season. Also beating Morton at Morton.
For myself, it would be my game against Moline when I scored a career high 29 points, and 15 rebounds, I appreciated how my teammates kept finding me and it meant a lot that they believed in me while I believed myself.
Key to Post-Season Success
Trusting each other, playing together, making the right play, sticking to our game plan and competing all 4 quarters.
#24 Lily Furrow
5’9” Senior
Favorite Post-Game Spot to Eat
Somewhere with ice cream
Favorite Morning Drink
A summery tasting drink from Java
Favorite Sports Hero
Michael Phelps
One Word to Describe Your Team
Spunky
One Word to Describe Coach Demott
Zealous
Season Highlight So Far
Beating Morton at Morton, and winning the Mattoon tourney
Key to Post-Season Success
Handling hard better
#30 Ellie Johnson
5’11” Sophomore
Favorite Post-Game Spot to Eat
Jalisco’s
Favorite Morning Drink
Pink Lemonade
Favorite Sports Hero
Caitlin Clark
One Word to Describe Your Team
Dedicated
One Word to Describe Coach Demott
Devoted
Season Highlight So Far
Beating Morton on their home floor
Key to Post-Season Success
Hard work and playing together
#32 Sophia Kisler
5’8” Senior
Favorite Post-Game Spot to Eat
Culver’s
Favorite Morning Drink
Java
Favorite Sports Hero
Bo Nix and Andi Jackson
One Word to Describe Your Team
Motivated
One Word to Describe Coach Demott
Demanding
Season Highlight So Far
Beating Teutopolis and winning the Mattoon Tournament
Key to Post-Season Success
Making free throws
#42 Abigail Casey
5’7” Junior
Favorite Post-Game Spot to Eat
Jersey Mikes
Favorite Morning Drink
Love Spell from Orange Cup
Favorite Sports Hero
George Kittle
One Word to Describe Your Team
Resilient
One Word to Describe Coach Demott
Disciplined
Season Highlight So Far
When we won the Matoon tournament and going undefeated
Key to Post-Season Success
The key is going to be teamwork, staying positive, and giving 110 percent all the time
#44 Keerah Cooper
5’10” Sophomore
Favorite Post-Game Spot to Eat
Pasta at my house
Favorite Morning Drink
Strawberry Banana Yogurt drink
Favorite Sports Hero
Caitlin Clark
One Word to Describe Your Team
Awesome
One Word to Describe Coach Demott
Amazing
Season Highlight So Far
My first varsity points
Key to Post-Season Success
Putting work in out of season
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