The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1915-03-16

Way tOu fhbUOJb
Blair ................... Reid
Bond ................... go. Perry
smut .................. thompson
Jones ............. Liebenderfer
Field Goals Bond 4, Clayton 2,
Blair, Perry 6, Abbott 3, Reid 3,
Thompson 2.
Foul Goals-Clayton 3 out of 8,
Blair out of 4, Thompson out of 8.
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. for Blair,
Lawrence for Abbott.
Offlcials-Hyer and Harris.
Time Of Halves--20 minutes.
Coach Dixon, as manager Of the tour
nament and on behalf Of Ohio Wes-
leyn University. presented the first and
second place cups to Captains Thomp.
son and Clayton respectively. His
speech was fullof praise for both teams
and he stated that he considered them
the hest high school organizations he
had ever seen in Ohio. He also re.
marked that the finals would be played
on q neutral floor, should Delaware
ever again succeed in reaching them.
This brought to an end the greatest
basket ball tournament in the history
Of Ohio high school athletics. Forty
six teams In all competed and about
120 games were played. Teams were
gradually eliminated from competing
until 1t was finally a case of Mt. Yer
non VS.. Delaware. Both of these teams
had squarely earned the right to com.
pete in the finals, as the tournament
was devoid of all fiukes.
Mt. Vernon has little cause for sor-
row. Champions of northern Ohio and
losing state honors only by bad
breaks of luck, they stand forth as
the best team ever produced in the
high school and one which the city in
general unites in praising. Outside of
Coach Hagaman, the team owes great
part of its success to Captain Clayton.
Always encouraging his men, master
of any situation and wonderful lead
er in the floor work of his team, he
has excited the admiration of local
devotees of the sport and was quite
a sensation at Delaware.
Sturdy Art Bond is the man about
whom the play of the locals has been
built. Speedy, powerful and with an
almost uncanny ability to shoot bas-
kets, he has always had to withstand
the brunt of the enemy's attack be-
cause of his reputation. At Delaware,
he was so cleverly guarded that he
could scarcely get around and, des.
pite this, made more individual bas-
kets than any of his team mates in
both morning and afternoon games.
An able running mate to Captain
Clayton was found early in the season
in the person of Russell Eastman.
Nearly as speedy and covering great
expanse of territory, he has worked
splendidly with Clayton. While good
at shooting baskets, his forte is getting
the ball away from an opposing team.
In this, he towers above his team.
mates.
Howard Blair, only fifteen years old
opd q frooh,nop IN tho biub cobool ho G
been 'phenom" all season. A wizard
at basket shooting, he has on practical
ly every occasion, been able to hold his
own with opponents twice his build
His passing has been excellent. Blair
will undoubtedly be the best forward
the high school has ever had by his
senior year, If not before.
The tournament at Delaware only
convinced local people that Jones and
Shut are the best pair of guards in
the state. Their ability to break uI
plays and stop shots has been mon
ster factor in the wonderful success o.
Mt. Vernon this season. Husky, speedy
and quick of eye, they have been thu
bane of many opposing forwards ex
istences.
One remarkable fact that must no
be lost sight of is that Captain Clay
ton and Shut, are the only veterans OF
the team. Neither Bond, Jones, East
man nor Blair had ever played tn
| game to any extent before the presen
season! That team of novices shoul
: win the championship Of norther
Ohio and almost capture state honor
! is thing of which every Mt. Verno
l resident feels proud.
The question naturally arises "whs
a of next year?" Jones is the only ma
n to graduate, though 1t is possible this
1 Captain Clayton may not return
Q school. With substitutes of no mea
A lohiIifv ouyioua aud aapar IN mqko RI