The age-herald., 1898-03-19
ASSEMBLIES IN THE LEAD For the Interstate Basket Ball
 Pennant. VICTORY OVER BIRMINGHAM Last Night Clnched Their Chances heir Su- peror Team Work Told Tn End-Score Stood 8 to 4.

Birmingham was defeated by a score of 8 to 4.
 Nashville's victory gives that team the championship of the Interstate Basket Ball league as it has an unbrcl1en line of vic tories Having only one more game to play, with Chattanooga, even the loss of that game will not materially diminish NashviMe's lead.
 The game last night was a success :n every particular. There was not the slight est ill-wil displayed by the payers on either side and the game was character ized by the fair treatment and generous applause given the visiting team by the audience. The game was remarkably free from fouls and rough play.
 Over 400 reserved seats had been erected yet standing room was at a premium So- ciety was out in full force, and all the ladies present were wildly excited. When ever Birmingham threw the bal anywhere within the neighborhood of the basket a chorus of feminine screams arose. But even with such fair mascots as these and notwithstanding the yards and yards of patriotic ribbons they wore, Birmingham could not win.
 The teams lined up as follows:
 Nashville. Position. Birmingham Kircher ....... Center. Reid Weise ......Right Forward ..... McDonough Sawrie Left Forward. ...... Dean Phillips Right Guard ..... Underwood Eubanks. ...... Left Guard ..........J Jones
 The game opened with very spirited play ing on both sides, the ball going from one end to the other and it was almost ten minutes before the first point was made. But soon the superior team work of the Nashville boys began to assert itself. They were very clever in their passing, and their lodging was too quick for Birmingham. They appeared also to have better wind than the Birmingham team They had the disadvantage of being away from home. and although they had numerous attempts only three field goals were thrown.
 The first point was made by Nashville, being a goal after foul of Birmingham. Birmingham scored next. ones pitched very neat goal, making the score to for Birmingham, and then the audience went wild. For nearly a minute Jones was the hero But Weise, of Nashville, quickly cooled the enthusiasm by goal from the field. Dean failed at trial for the goal from foul, and the first half closed to in Nashyille's favor.
 After a rest of ten minutes the second twenty minute half began. To the surprise cf everybody, Birmingham played a stronger game in this half than in the first They kept the ball at their end of the court more, but still Nashville showed superior team work.
 Sawrie pitched a goal from the field and followed it closely by a goal from foul. McDonough raised the hopes of the au- dfence once more by goal from the field,
  more minutes to play. Dean missed an other trial for goal after a foul, and then the audience almost lost hope.
 The feature of the game followed, being a beautiful goal from the field by Captain Eubannks, of Nashville. The throw was quite half the length of the court and dropped squarely in the basket. The game was called soon afterward
 Jones easily played the best game for . Birmingham. He covered the whole field and made many pretty plays McDonough had a number of chances at the goal. but threw only one. Redd also played good game, though to an onlooker his injured nose seemed to worry him.
 Not counting Eubanks' phenomenal throw, Sawre and Kircher played best for Nashville. Their lodging and tricks were particularly clever Little Weise also played a pretty game.
 The standing of the teams in the league is now as follows:
 Won. Lost. Av. Nroel,,;l1a 1000