The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-01-17

Basketball IL the Most IaterestiaE wiate
faatimc.

The athletic departments OF the different Y.
NJ. C. A. branches In this city and Brooklyn nrs
enjoying u most successful season 10 sports.
More than usual interest is being manifested In
basketball and the game Is being played more
this year than over before In tho history OF the
association. So popular has the game grown
that some Of tho gymnasium directors have
been compelled to stop tho game. owing to tho
noise and confusion that prevailed among q
certain portion OF the spectators. Nearly every
branch In this city. Brooklyn. and tho vicinity
Ia represented By . team. and the friendly rival
~ show n when two din ere branch teams meet
Is intense.
The strongest and most successful team in
this city 10 the Twenty-third street branch. Tho
members have won moro honors than any
basketball team In the country. In the District
Y. VI. {. A. tournament last year they swept
everything before them. winning q total Of
twelve straight games. Thus far this season
they have not been defeated. having outpointed
some OF the strongest teams in the East, name.
u. Yale University. Trenton. Stamford. cham
plons OF Connec.icnt: Harlem aud Eastern Dis:
a game with Temple College Of PhiladoipLia.
which will lake place in the near future.
Tho team IL under the management of w. II.
Reed. Jr.. and II. Msyrrhon is captain. Both
men are experts at tho game. and II is through
he success IL due The MAKEUP and weigh, Of
the team IS ~ follows:
J. Hamlli. LEFT forward. 1876; c. Reed. right forward.
defence. i7s; ii. Msysrhon. LETT defence and csptsin.
HamIll is a strong player In a close game. and
can be relied upon TO get the ball when It is in
hts territory. Reed Ia the quickest man ON tho
team. lie Is full Of energy, plays fast and hard,
makes his opponent work to cover him.. Wen.
delken jumps well. and usually reaches beyond
much taller opponents. He 10 a sure tnrowor
for goal from the centre OF the field. Abadir Is
careful In guarding. aud has q nne reach, He
cover his mau. Msy.rhon has been playing on
the team for n number of years. He plays n
good defence. and 10 all over the field. IN hold
Ing his opponent, he 10 In . class by himself.
also a strong aggregation, and the players have
held their own against all corners. Tho princi-
pie feature OF their play Is passing and team
work.
Gymnastics and bAsk etball are taking up tho
time of the members ~ the Harlem branch. The
basketball team has shown a marked improve.
ment In its work over that OF last year. Aud tho
men sre rapidly getting into shape for their
game with the Knickere' cker A. I. Physical
sport, and gives the men his h~eartiest support.
arrangements ara being made for the annual
gymnNstic contest which takes place next
That tho Young MEMS Institute team Is very
much m need OF practice was demonstrated By
the poor showing made against the second team
OF the knickerbocko A. L. at the latter's gym
nasium last Wednesday night. The team is
composed of able bodied men. and the only
nasinm work Is prosres.inE under the direction
| Of Physical Director Muller. and he has built
up u system OF gymnastics which 10 causing
"i Tis SrSne cRh:s'e Of Brooklyn ar. all playing
basketball with tho exception of one or two.
The central branch players have the strongest
team. There Is talk OF arranging q series of
games between the Centrals OF Brooklyn and
tho Twen,y-third. street branch of this city.
College and the KnicisrSocfer A. {. after hard
struggles.