BASKETBALL

No gym, no problem: Galesburg hoopster uses barn to work on 3-point shot

Matthew Wheaton
The Register-Mail
Mimi the cat passes by the door of a barn where Galesburg High School senior Riley Jenkins practices her jump shots on Friday, Sept. 4. Jenkins has been working on her game in the structure, located in East Galesburg and owned by her former Junior Streaks coach Steve Watts.

EAST GALESBURG — Area gyms were shuttered when the coronavirus pandemic hit in mid-March.

But Galesburg girls basketball player Riley Jenkins has always had a place to play.

Behind a security gate off State Street in East Galesburg, Jenkins takes shot after shot.

The 17-year-old senior does so inside a barn at the residence of Steve Watts, who once served as Jenkins’ Junior Streaks coach and hasn’t stopped mentoring her since she was a third-grader.

The lefty point guard has spent countless hours working on her game on the concrete playing surface with Watts observing and her father, David Jenkins, serving as her rebounder.

“He had me come out here a couple times when he was my Junior Streaks coach, and I’ve been coming out here ever since,” Riley Jenkins said of Watts. “He’s a friend.

“Coach Watts has helped me a lot just developing my shot,” she added. “He’s just always been a great help, and he’s always involved. He’s always coming to my games to watch.

“He’s the main person that has helped me the most throughout.”

Watts’ home isn’t the only place Jenkins has honed her skills this summer. She’s also been playing AAU basketball for Heart of Illinois’ 16U team and so far has 20 games under her belt. At least a trio remain for Jenkins and company on Saturday.

“Our record is 18-2,” Jenkins said. “I think it’s gotten me better from my previous AAU teams. The coach is great.”

Jenkins, who will have taken around 25,000 shots over the last few months leading into her final high school season, will see Silver Streaks coach Evan Massey soon. Galesburg’s players attended their first contact day workout Tuesday evening inside John Thiel Gymnasium.

Jenkins averaged 13.9 points and 5.2 assists per game in 2019-20 for the Streaks, who went 18-14. Jenkins hopes the Streaks can improve their winning percentage this season. That’s if there is one.

As of now there is, and Galesburg’s players will attend their first official practice Monday, Nov. 16, but who knows what COVID-19 may bring before then.

“I’m nervous because it’s my last year. I hope we do get a season for sure,” Jenkins said. “The goal is just win more games from last season, as a team. Focus on that and get better.

Matthew Wheaton can be reached at (309) 315-6073 or at mwheaton@register-mail.com. Follow him on Twitter @matthewlwheaton

Galesburg senior Riley Jenkins shoots a 3-pointer, while her dad, David Jenkins, waits to rebound in a barn at the residence of Steve Watts in East Galesburg on Friday, Sept. 4.