OCR Text |
Show during which time a work-out was held at the Irving Gymnasium, the cavalcade of basketeers continued on to Rexburg. In the first fracas on February 5, Elton Knapp was again on and scored ten baskets from the field. His team mates, full of fight and a desire for friendly revenge, fought valiantly; but the all-around play of Ricks was a thorn in the way of the Weberites. Result: a close score-a defeat for Weber, 44 to 37. The game played with Ricks on the following evening was one of substitutes. Coaches Packer and Stevenson alternated individual players and teams in order to select a winning combination. The Wildcats changed their method of defense sev-eral times, but were unable to check the precision shots of the Idaho boys. As a result of this game Ricks was four up on Weber. Score: 44-11. After a long trip to American Falls, ten tired players stretched weary limbs and made preparations for an invasion on the camp of Albion. A friendly spirit prevailed at the Idaho Normal School and the balmy atmosphere made the Weber repre-sentatives feel quite rejuvenated. Hospitality was here, as it was at Rexburg. The game that evening was one of the fastest of the entire season. At half time, the score stood 15 to 13 for Weber. In the second half, Dawson Hales broke through Albion's defense several times for short shots at the basket and helped tuck away the game by a 33 to 30 score. This victory in a way atoned for two defeats while on the northern invasion. The Albion crew was entertained at Ogden on the night of February 15. All enjoyed themselves, inasmuch as each team garnered about the same number of points. Francis Hearn, of the Wildcat squad, tossed in a bucket in the last thirty seconds of play, thus giving Weber a place in the Junior College tournament. Albion played a hard, fast, clean game and surely received the respect of all who were present. The Deseret Gym of Salt Lake City was the scene of the last league battle of the basketball campaign. The never-give-up spirit of the Saints was admired by all, but the score at the end of the game spelled defeat for them by a single point. The Weberites played hard for the game and were fortunate in winning from these boys of Pete Couch, by the score of 49 to 50. Having gained a position in the tournament to be held at Cedar City, Coach Stevenson's athletes settled down to a few intense work-outs before leaving for the south. On February 26, eight Wildcats and their coach arrived in Cedar City to compete with the others, namely: Dixie, B. A. C, Ricks, Snow, and Albion. The Ogden boys were housed at El Escalante Hotel and were given accomodation that lent wonder to the occasion. The first night pairings were as follws: Weber vs. Dixie. B. A. C. vs. Ricks. Albion vs. Snow. Dixie, a powerful and favored team played snappy ball to dispose of Weber by a count of 53 to 31. Hearn, Chambers, and Wooley played well for Weber, but Dixie was superior in nearly all departments of play. In the other games B. A. C. was de-feated by Ricks, 37 to 42, while Snow played super basketball to hand Albion a 38 to 34 defeat. In the first game on Friday, February 28, Albion took a thriller from Dixie by a score of 51 to 53. Snow kept her record clear by defeating Ricks 31 to 33. Lee led the Idaho aggregation in this battle by scoring six field goals. At nine o'clock practically every person in the community was on hand to see Branch Aggies turn the Weberites back, and they were rewarded. The former champs out the Wildcats out of the running by turning in a score of 28 to 41. London and Chambers played good ball on the guarding line for Weber, while Knapp was ringing up eight baskets. With a possibility of a tie for four teams, interest was at a fever pitch for the third night's games. Branch Aggies played perhaps their best ball of the tournament to eliminate Abion; score, 49-50. Weber, anxious to score a victory over the Ricks machine, fought every minute, and with a late rally came within two points of tying the score which ended 44 to 46 for Ricks. In the feature game of the night and the one on which the balance of the tournament hinged, Dixie and Snow mixed on the slippery court. This game had the spectators on their toes throughout the battle until the screen came down with Dixie on the long end of a 45 to 43 score. Result: tournament held over until Monday, March 3. Sunday, March 3, was a big day for all of the tournament teams. Citizens of Cedar City joined in taking all of the participants on a trip to Zion National Park. This was indeed a treat, and the memory of green grass, blossoms, geological formations, and the hospitality and friendship will remain for many years in the hearts of all who made the trip. The gathering in the National Park was in itself well worth the trip to the southern city. Basketball scores were partly forgotten, and all were under the spell of the great out-of-doors, and of good fellowship. Monday, with Weber and Albion out of the picture, Ricks, B. A. C. and Dixie entered into a furious battle for the gonfalon. After a day of torrid competition the tournament ended with the following results: First place-Ricks. Second Place-B. A. C. Third Place-Snow. Thereon Beuhler of Albion, was winner of the Standard-Examiner Award. Hearn of Weber won a forward position on the second all star team. Two other Wildcats, Chambers and Knapp, were given honorable mention. The last day of the tournament did not actualy spell finis to the colorful meeting. All who participated went away knowing that they had made more friends, and had gained a wholesome respect for the citizens of southern Utah. All of the schools and communities represented were brought closer together. In looking over the past basketbal season, one may say that it has been really successful. Much praise is due Coach Merlon Stevenson, W. B. Hales, A. R. Croft, and Wm. G. Barton, who have worked diligently for Junior Colege athletics. The players have done well, and Weber is proud of them. Friendships have been made throughout the intermountain country, and a spirit of sportsmanship has been greatly developed. |