Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1916-03-22
HIGH SCHOOL TEAM
DISTRICT CHAMPS
Defeat Morton at Cottonwood By
Score Of 81 to rs 60
To Mortified.

movable object last Friday evening,
when the Willmar and Morton high
school basket ball teams clashed for
the championship Of the seventh con-
gressional district. After as pretty a
battle as one could wish to see, the
immovable object gave away, and the
Willmar team continued on their jr-
resistable course. A neutral floor
was required to settle the question,
so Cottonwood was chosen to stage
the contest AS far as neutrality was
concerned, the floor was unfamiliar to
either team, but the crowd made one
almost think the game was being
played in Morton. In addition to the
seventy-five followers of the Morton
team who were present, Cottonwood
turned out to cheer for the southern
contestants, and seven Marshall men
were so anxious to be on hand to see
the downfall Of Willmar, that they
walked fourteen miles to see the
game. They admitted afterward that
it was worth it. Against this layout
by the writer, Edmond Nelson, first
sub on the team and three boys from
Hanley Falls, who made themselves
heard turnout the evening.
Morton entered the game favorites
of the crowd. Bringing with them the
record of having won twenty-one
straight games, without tasting de-
feat, and running up the amazing to-
tai of LOGO points for the season, it
can be seen why they were picked to
win. The opera house, where the
game was played, provided a playing
space 81 feet wide, by so in length.
With ten players and two officials on
the floor, there wasn't much room
left for team work, but the winners
had it just the same. Without excep-
ton each Willmar man outweighed
his opponent, and this counted heav-
lily in the final reckoning, as the game
was hard strain and superior phys
ical condition told in the end, as we'll
as superior basket ball ability Err
ickson and Severinson led in scoring
for the winners, each counting twelve
points. Bob Johnson followed with
six, and OsmundsOn accounted for the
other two. Baker with thirteen points
led the Morton scorers, Gaasch with
seven, Orth with four and Donlen
with two accounted for the rest. Linn
perich and Osmundson put up the
best games at the guard positions
they have shown this year. Baker
and Gaasch between them scored
eight baskets, less than either one
was accustomed to shoot in a game.
The former, with six to his credit
was the Morton star.
One of the deciding factors in the
success of the Willmar team, was the
ability Erickson showed in getting
the tipoff from his taller opponent
thus giving Willmar the advantage
of starting their team work at the
outset of play. Bob Johnson and Sew
crimson at the forward positions play
ed splendid games, mixing things al
all times, and locating the baskets
when points were needed. Donlen
and Fuller, Morton guards had both
hands full in covering their men.
The officiating was par excellence
Never, in a contest for champion
ship was there so little wrang
ling. Not decision was questioned
and this is all the more remarkable
when one stops to consider the Of
floating was done by the rival coach
es. Fifteen fouls were called on Nor
ton, and ten on Willmar. Most oil
them on both teams were of the per
sonal nature, but no player was dis
qualified on account of four being
called.
The championship was lost and Won
as follows:
After minute of play a foul was
called on Donlen, and Erickson con
verified it into point for his team
A moment later another foul was
called but Erickson missed the free
throw. He made up for this a few
minutes later by caging a pretty has
ket from the field. Baker missed a
free throw following Willmar foul
but the Morton contingent had Their
first chance to yell when Baker sho,
from the field soon after. Two fouls
were called on Morton then, and Err
ickson shot them both. Bob johnson
then shot from the corner of the field
giving Wilmar to 2 lead. Baker
put his team in the running with an
other nice basket, and Erickson fol
lowed with a foul. Severinson then
shot his first basket from the field
taking the tipoff directly from Erick
son. Erickson then missed a free
throw, and Baker shot one Johnson
sent his second field shot thru the net
a moment later, only to have Baker
duplicate it. Osmundson then sneak
ed down the side line, and dropped
one thru for Willmar. Erickson miss
ed free throw, and Baker shot his
fourth basket of the half SEVERN
son shot another for Willmar, after
which Ortiz and Gaasch shot in sue
cession for Morton. The final score
Of the period was made by Severinson
just before time was called. Score
Willmar 18, Morton -.
At the opening Of the second per
iod, Erickson missed a free throw
Gaasch sent one thru the net for two
points, after which Osmundson miss
ed a foul. Severinson increased Will
mars lead by shooting twice in sue
cession. Gaasch missed foul, and
Baker shot his first basket of the
half. Gaasch was given two free
throws, when Limperich fouled a mar
shooting. !Gaasch failed to take ad
vantage of the opportunity, and miss
ed both. Baker shot another basket
making the score % to - for Will
mar. Erickson shot a basket and 6
foul followed by an Orth basket from
near the center of the floor. Another
point was added when Erickson shot
a foul. He then missed a free throw
Severinson shot a basket, and Baker
missed a foul. Johnson connected
from the field and Erickson from the
foul line. Gaasch shot foul, as die
Erickson Gaasch fnl1Owad with twr