'Beyond happy': Galesburg promotes assistant to girls basketball head coach

Galesburg has found its successor to legendary basketball coach Evan Massey.

Lexi Demott was officially named the new girls coach Monday night at the District 205 school board meeting. Demott has spent the last four seasons as Massey's assistant following her four-year playing career at Galesburg.

"I am so beyond happy ...," the 2016 grad posted on her Facebook page. "I knew I had a lot of supporters, but this just proved it that much more. I cannot wait to lead this program and to continue to build what has already been put into place. Quite honestly I’m speechless and in tears right now."

EVAN MASSEY:Legendary Galesburg girls basketball coach retires after history-filled 46 years

Massey retired in February following a 46-year career that included a record of 1,018-397 (.719) and seven Class AA Elite Eight appearances in an eight-season stretch from 1995 to 2003. He had been outspoken about Demott replacing him on the sidelines. She was named the interim coach after Massey stepped down.

"I have told the administration what would be best for the program going forward," Massey told WGIL.com, "but that is not my decision to make.”

Now, Demott takes over the Class 3A program that posted a 26-7 mark this past season, falling to Morton in a Class 3A regional title game. All-stater Kiarra Kilgore is one of six graduating seniors for the Silver Streaks.