The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-27

With the Atlanta game safely stored
away, the B. A. c. basketball five had
cleared the deck for action in what is
how their most crucial contest of the sea-
son-the Columbus. Ga, bout
In this game lies the one slim chance
by which the present basketball cham
lions of the south can come out Of the
season with flying colors. Slim as this
onance appears to be, another equally as
slim confronts the court artists of Coach
Nespor even in case he upsets the dope
ard gets away With the long end of the
score in the game with Columbus. Again
they have to take on the quintet of the
Mobile Y. M. c. A., that same quintet that
So recently knocked their unbroken string
Of victories for the season into every
Variety of a cooked hat. And this time
they meet the Gulf City boys in Mobile,
teard the lion in his den, as it were.
On the face of the proposition it must
he admitted that Coach Nespor and COM
pany do not appear to have even sport
ing chance. not a gambling chance, at
any rate But 1t is always relieving TO
bring in the time worn expression that
you never can tell"
From every angle, dope points against
the chances of the local shooters in the
coming contest with Columbus In prac-
t!Cally every instance during the season
- which these two teams have met the
same aggregation, the Columbus athletes
have demonstrated that ability to adj
minister more decisive defeat than has
their rivals. In addition to this their de-
clsive defeat of Mobile after the latter
ad taken the measure of the local ath-
leies, makes things look exceedingly
gloomy for the Birmingham outfit.
AS matter of fact. instead of steeling
themselves to the last ditch of determine
tion for the remaining contests after the
defeat administered by Mobile, and conf
ing stronger than before, the b. A. Z.
rve's work in the subsequent games has
Lien sadly Disappointing to their local fol-
lowers They have won both games, II Is
true, but in each instance they have failed
. to show the flashes of brilliance and ag-
SIessiVeness that marked their early
work. Against the Cumberland team, an
aggregation usually not cassed with BIZ
mingham, Mobile and Columbus, coacn
Nespors men showed a marked lacking OF
lconsistent playing. Their old time conli-
dence had vanished, and they played as
VI driven by desperation through fear ol
Ceteat.
Again, when Atlanta was met, the locals,
while victors. were sadly disappointing to
| admirers here, VINO We're hoping agains'
fope that they would strengthen despite
their almost fatal defeat. and make one
desperate rally to sieze the minute OPP
,rtunity still within their grasp. In a
rough and tumble contest, where blows
slips, fouls and general awkwaruness
reigned supreme, they won. Fast, agsres-
s.ve playing, accurate shooting. rapid. I'M
etring passing. well trained defensive
work, all so necessary to a championship
club, was lacking. As in -he game WITT
Cumberland, the B. A. G. aggregatior
fought desperately, seemingly without
Confidence, in sheer terror of defeat
Something is wrong. The local aggresa'
ton ha- a club that individually ahc
collectively compares we'll with that OF
any organization in the south. They are
experienced men, thev have demonstrated
their nerve to fight to the end, and they
are coached by man who has once dem
castrated his ability by plotting then
through a championship career. IheI
what's the answer?
Confidence for one thing, forgetfulnes
Is another. They need to forget that de
Feat at the hands of Mobile: they nee'
| confidence in their ability to come pac'
| l.. the coming struggles. One defea
| should not alter the PLAYING OF team
men as experienced and nervy as th"s
! that go to make UP the 3. A. T. ciun