The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1917-03-06
CUNNINGHAM MAKES
HIS FIRST BASKET
Pottery Quintet Looks Good
For Finals; Many I.o-
Cal Rooters Present
East Liverpool 10, Mt. Vernon Is.

East Liverpool l9, Mt. Vernon 10.
That's the plain, simple, unvarnish-
ed story of Friday nights basketball
tiff at Delaware when the aspirations
of the local high quintet to land in the
semi-finals of the state tourney were
knocked into cooked hat.
Words and word s could not tell the
story better than the mere statement
of the score. Mt. Vernon was defeat
ed-fairly, squarely and honorably
and the boys, as well as rooters, yield
gracefully and without the least bit
of peevishness.
At no time during the entire strug-
gle did the so or more loyal rooters
who went to Delaware sundry ways
Friday have even the slightest morsel
of hope thrown out to them, although
the start of the second half found the
section little more courageous than
in the closing minutes of the first
half. East Liverpool led through the
whole game, Mt. Vernon never being
able to forge ahead even for slight
advantage.
Almost before the echo of the ref
eree's whistle, which proclaimed the
start Of the game, East Liverpool, by
a series of lightning-like plays, had
run up score of to on Mt. Ver-
non. Without relaxing their efforts
a single bit, the Mt. Vernon five at
the same time plainly showed sur
prise and worry. East Liverpool had
gained first advantage, unquestion-
ably, and it was question of wheth-
er Mt. Vernon could "come back"
East Liverpool's veteran guards,
Allen and Vorndran, played like bear
eats and smashed repeatedly into for
nations which might have netted Mt.
Vernon points. So effectual was their
tempted long shots which generally
means disaster to any team.
1t was evident at the start of the
contest that both Captain Blair and
Sapp were away off form. Both took
shot after shot at the basket-heaves
which ordinarily would have sent the
ball through the ring-but somehow
or other, failed to connect.
This had disheartening effect on
the team, but from out of this appar-
ent ruin, there stepped forth two
stars-Cunningham and Yauger. Both
of these boys played better than they
have all season. Cunningham did
some wonderful defensive work and
unquestionably held down East Liv-
erpool's score by many points. Yau-
ger played cool-headedly, was in the
game every minute and shot two
baskets--as many as Captain Blair.
The Mt. Vernon roofing section
went wild when Cookie Cunning
ham came forward from his back
guard position and tossed basket
the first he has made in two years or,
for all purposes, even attempted.
A single basket was made by Mt.
Vernon during the first half of the
game which ended 13 to in favor Of
East Liverpool. The balance of the
points were due to the splendid foul
shooting of Captain Blair-one de-
partment in which he played nearly
100 per cent
It seemed as If the ledge" which
East Liverpool had secured on Mt.
Vernon the first half might possibly
be broken at several times during the
second period of play, as Mt. Vernon
displayed customary class on several
occasions. The breaks in the game
we're against the locals and this had
a bad effect.
With the score 10 to 13 against 1t
and only a minute and a half to play,
Mt. Vernon's lineup was shifted.
Wright took Yauger's position, the
latter was sent to guard and Kelser
removed from the game. In these
few seconds. Mt. Vernon players
fought like demons and Captain Blair
succeeded in landing pretty basket
from mid-foor, but the lead of East
Liverpool could not be attained, let
alone overcome.
One OF the main causes for the de-
feat of Mt. Vernon, aside from East
Liverpool's exceptional ability, is that