New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-01-17
Commerce Five, Undefeat-
ed to Date, Aiming al
Basketball Title.
p. S. A. l.. GAMES MAY
BEAT ENTRY RECORD
Hundreds of Boys in New York
and Other Cities Preparing for
Big Annual Struggle.

For the first time IN a number Of
years eight years, 20 be exact the
High School Of Commerce has appar-
emily an even chance 20 win the bas-
ketball championship of the Public
Schools Athletic League. Al present
the Orange and Blue is indicated,
and, Judged or ability shown in actual
competition, w sweep right down 20
the all-important game with De Witt
Clinton with q clean slate While Com
merce has a star of first magnitude in
Nat Holman, Charley NcCann, the fac
ulty coach, has made team work OF
primary Importance, and the five work
as one man.
The team is headed by Hal Wittner.
captain OF the football team for this
season, who was selected IN the varl-
Gus all-scholastIc football teams as
quarterback. Wittner Is playing guard,
and he keeps his worf up 10 a high
standard Few are the baskets his op-
ponent shoots in the course of a game,
for. with great speed and rare powers
of endurance, Wittner manages 10 hang
on and prevent any raids on the Com
merce basket. Andy TowEes. the other
guard is showing we'll, but he IS labor
ing under the handicap Of being light
IN weight
Nat Holman is the equal, If not the
superior. OF any high school player IN
this city. His aim is deadly and he is
able 20 work from either de of the
court with equal certainty. Holman
not only plays the game for the game
sake, but he has made a most careful
study of it, and not infrequently takes
charge Of the squad when matters moro
important demand the attention Of the
coach. lie has worked out half a dozen
or more scoring plays which have been
most prolific in scoring points.
Ted Cam, the younger brother Of
Howard, a former Commerce football
and basketball star, and who is a crack
swimmer and football player himself,
plays the other forward. Ted may not
be as brilliant as Holman, but as Teddy
Du Bots, the manager of the team, said
yesterday: TEDDY Cam is there every
way you take him" De Witt, the
centre, has been performing exception
ally we'll. although he is a bit green
in his work. He is fast. jumps well
and has a degree of. gameness that
covers a multitude OF shortcomings
No discussion of the Commerce team
would be complete without some word
Of Teddy Du Bots. the huStlng little
manager. Teddy is the greatest enthu-
siast ever discovered when IL comes TO
Commerce team In any sport He
knows all about his men. even to the
hour they 20 20 bed at night He feels
certain they will win the championship
this season, and devoted the best part
Of an hour yesterday 20 giving his rea-
sons for believing so.
Hamilton looks like the Zone hest
let" of the High School of Commerce
in the coming swimming champion
ships. He is swimming the fifty yards
in 2S seconds. and is just rounding into
his best form. By the end of this month
he should be going close 10 record fig
ures.
The schoolboy athletes Of the greater
city are busily engaged in attaining
form for the annual indoor track and
field championships TO be held at the
23d Regiment Armory. Brooklyn. on
Saturday evening. January 30. Judg-
ing from the entries that are pouring
into the Public Schools Athletic League.
this years meet will set a record i'm
the number OF boys competing.
Thanks 90 several recent subscrip-
tions. the league viii be able 10 award
medals 10 the winners in each event.
The Edward VI. Grout trophy of the
Roaring Lion. which is emb ematic of
the team championship. should produce
great rivalry between the schools
The entries Of only seven teams have
been received for the one-mile ma
tional relax championship. but when