The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-26
HIGH SCHOOL IS WINNER 0F CAME Disque School Defeated In a
 Fine Scrimmage LITTLE COOPERATION Criticism That Team Receives No Support Is Made-very Small
 Attendance-Some Bright
 Stars Shont.
BY BURR BLACKBURN.

The Birmingham High school won a great game from Disquc High school yesterday afternoon. Score 30 to 20. That is a real basketball team which Coach Messer has put out-a bunch Of youngsters who never met the word quit, and are not only expert in hand ling the ball, but capable and willing to learn great deal more.
 The game was played before an au- diece of about 25 people. It is re- markable that the team puts up such heady, excellent work with such poor support. This Is but another evidence of the lack of spirit at the Birmingham High school.
 Where Is the old High school spirit This is a question which has puzzled more and more during the present win ter. Whether it is to be charged up to selfish worthless boys, who prefer to pull down the good work and the rep { utation of the school with Boosters clubs and organized mischief making to backing up athletics, and boosting the hardy boys who represent them. or whether 1t may be due to poor man. agement, lack of cooperation on the part of the faculty, or failure to en- courage and support athletics. Is a question for the alumni to consider and that right seriously.
 It is fact that at the present time the athletic association mas no off, ficers, has not held meeting since its organization, and though it's mem- bers put up money nobly for the sea- son, they have failed to show up at the games and do not lend their voices to the weak cheering or the side lines.
 High school teachers, or any part oi the faculty, are seldom 1T ever seen.ai either football or baseball games They seem to think that holding a buckine youngster in his desk, ana erammins his brain is about all the duty they have In this world. Such a marked contrast as afforded by one of the principals of grammar sen oo1 who is always with his boys in their sports and is in touch with their lives on al sides.
 It is to be feared that the seniors and upper classes are void of thai spirit which is supposed to be oozing from their finger tips. I question !. whether half of them can give the HIiigh school yell.
 It is fact that these conditions will " develop a line of quitters. Such wa. ' evident in the past football seasor Z when boy after boy dropped out Wha was the use of breaking their neck. before blank, empty grandstands Many of them quit school, losing in .terest in their studies as well.
 Now the basketball season is open ing, with a little team that should de feat any other prep school in th' south, and it is time for the pupils ant everyone connected with the HigI school to get out and root.
 The contest yesterday was perhaps th' neatest that has been played on tn, Athletic club floor this year, as 1t wa SO closely contested. Disque, with z heavy, well coached team, got a star in the first half which well nigh proved fatal, but the science of the little fel lows won out and the half closed 16-1l in favor of the High school. The sec !, ond half was easy, the Gadsden boy: only getting one field gcal.
 Zeliminskis guarding was bright fea ture of the game. Tom Estes and Lu cicn Hood were very fast at forward and though covered by big men theil speed and shooting was largely respon sible for the result. Luther Strange was marvel at breaking up pass work ant kept the ball down in great style. Hit also did effectual guarding.
 For the visitors Boykin and Davidson put up the gamest fight The Gadsder team was fine on the defense but very weak on shooting. Here is the score:
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