The Washington times., 1909-12-11
New York Contests Do Not
Warrant Unfavorable
Criticism.
HART is CHOSEN
TO LEAD @. w. u.
Talkfest Among Independent Foot
ball Teams May Mean
a Game.

Quite few OF the local basketball
lovers are confused today over the de-
feat handed the Georgetown quint by
Columbia i'm New York last evening.
Score 21-12 Following Immediately
upon the drubbing received at the hands
Of the St. Johns team on Wednesday,
this latest defeat has caused many here
10 ponder whether or not this season S
Georgetown five is going to fulfill the
early predictions that It would again
be one of the fastest teams an the East,
particularly In the South.
Two items must be remembered in
criticising the local aggregation. First.
IL has been playing in unfamiliar halls
Second, it has not yet reached its proper
stride through lack OF practice
Anyone cOnversant with the game Of
basketball knows that playing in an I'M
familiar hall is a big handicap. Though
the two teams be OF equal strength,
the home team will invariably win by
almost twice as many points as its op-
ponents. IL is generally conceived that
the home team should win by this mar
gin. Now in both the beatings George
town has received, il has been able TO
score more than half the number OF
points credited its ConQuerer. That ia
itself is creditable
Then, too, when II is remembered that
the playing season In the North starts
great deal earlier than fl does here
and that the Georgetown team has had
practically no actual playing, with ex-
ception OF the game with the Baltimore
Medicos, reason for the two recent de-
feats seems very evident.
An opening for a hne young row
among the independent football Teams
OF this city has been rnade and he
rival managers are breaking into print
with all the enthusiasm OF well-known
magnates. The Independent football
title Of the city seems the issue in qlges-
ton. Holy Name, Vigilants and War
wicks are the teams involved Both
Holy Name and Vigilants are inclined
10 ignore the third named because IL
failed TO put team in the field this
season and only came out at this late
date 10 defend the title which Il has
held for the three previous seasons
they are the ones TO fight Il out FOR
any honors which may be forthcoming
but they cannot agree on the lists OF
eligible players. and the Warwicks may
yet set the opportunity for which they
have so Justify clamored.
Eastern High School viii inaugurate
its basketball season on Tuesday when
it meets the Georgetown Prep I'VE in
the Capitol Hill gym. For the past sew
eral weeks the southeast team has been
perfecting it's work. and while loathe 20
make any rash predictions. Captain
Narella ventured the statement that his
team would at least offer "A surprise in
IFS knowledge OF the game. The East
ern team is very light and unless as
Captain Narella says, # has mastered a
strong offense. Il will nave little chance
with the Georgetown Props.
Big "Futs" Hart, the old Teen High
School stRr, is the fellow who will cap
tain Geo1ge Washington OF the grid
iron next season Hars has played
tackle on the Hatchetite team for the
IA 81 two seasons and is recognized here
as one OF the best football players in
the South he was opposed by Ellis
and EickhOm Both gracefully withdrew
when Hart polled the largest vote. and
allowed the election to be made unan-
imous. The election OF Hart puts at
rest many Of the rumors that George
Washington would not foster football
next season II. y.