Oxford Democrat., 1915-02-16
Basket Ball.

N. H. s. 3s; wEsTBRooK SEMINARY a.
Those who had gotten the idea into
their heads that Norway high were 60
ing to have an easy time in defeating the
Westbrook Seminary team in the game
at the Opera House Friday evening were
given one of the surprises Of lifetime.
Regardless of what Westbrook's previous
record has been this season, they GER
tainly know how the game should be
played, and on this occasion at least,
they were playing 1t for all they were
worth. They gave Norway big scare
and furnished one of the most exciting
second periods seen here this winter.
The visitors played strong game in
all departments. They covered their op.
ponents closely and cleverly, showed
good team work and q we'll developed
passing game, and this combined with
their ability to shoot baskets made them
an aggregation that forced Norway to
play the best basket ball they knew in
order to win. In the first half they clear
ly played the better game. They broke
up Norway's passing game, forcing them
to make many wild passes, and taking
advantage of the home teams poor de-
fensive work, scored twenty points,
while Norwsy's total for the half was
only twelve.
Coming on to the floor for the second
half, Norway realized that they had
their work cut out for them, and they
lost no time in cutting loose with very
fast passing game. Their backs covered
the opposing forwards very closely and
left the matter of throwing baskets to
their own forwards and center. In do.
ing this Norway began to play Its real
game, and the period was not more than
half over when they had evened up the
score, and then ensued great struggle.
From this time almost to the end OF the
game there was not more than two
points difference in the score of the two
teams. The crowd was in an uproar and
the cheering continuous, while the two
teams were making every effort to score
the few additional points that they knew
would mean victory. Norway was not
to be denied, however, at this stage OF
the game, and possessed just enough
strength to make it's lead sure.
Chase, captain of the Westbrook team,
was the high scoring man with seven
baskets. He fell down in his work on
fouls, failing to shoot basket out of
four throws. Sanderson, after failing to
get basket in the first half, got to 60
ing in the second period and threw six.
Smiths work on fouls for Norway was
excellent, and he showed his nerve in
the second half when Norway needed
but one point to tie. A foul was called
on the visitors and Smith threw the bas-
ket as cooliy as If he were in practice.
Dow was another of the visitors whose
playing was of high quality. Playing as
a guard, be kept his man we'll covered,
but showed great speed in getting across
the floor at times and caging the ball
when'it it came over to him. The work OF
the other players on the two teams was
excellent and all were entitled to word
of praise.
A new feature at this game, much ap-
preciated by the spectators, was large
score board, placed on the stage, on
which the score as it stood. could always
be seen at glance. In a game as close
as was this one, the value of such a
board is easy to see, and it was this new
feature which added much to the excite.
ment of the last half.