Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-03-18
RAPID GROWTH SHOWN
HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE HAS
BEST SEASON IN HISTORY
Many High schools Now Members OF
Organization. aud Every lndIca-
ton OF Great Growth.

The year 1917 stands in the huskct-
ball history OF the Virginia High
School Literary and Athletic League AS
is this SO, for the league is growing
in Importance and in value TO the
schools OF the state. During this year
more schools were entered in the com
petition, more schools qualified for the
tina! games, and more interest was
shown throu chout the whole Of the
Estate than ever before.
There were enrolled in the league
Scven,y-siN teams OF secondary Schools
and from these six 0uintS qualified for
the finals which were hold at the Uni
Ncrsi,y OF Virginia. These six teams
had won four or more games from
teams OF equal rank. and IN each case
more than the required number Of vic
tories was offered for qualification 1t
wa" unfortunate that two uf these six
teams did not com" to tho university.
Wcodborry Forest School and Augusta
Military Academy; but the other four
made UP for their absence by very en-
ccilcnt basketball and by very oX-
ceilent spirit
The four teams competing we're:
Portsmouth High school, salem High
School, charlottesville High School
and Arvomia High school salem won
tho championship. but had no easy time
doing SO. Tho first night Of the two
on which tho teams played at the uni
Norsity. Salem and Portsmouth were
pittcd against one another. For Il
while il looked like Il waik-away for
salem. but Portsmouth picked up in
the second half and showed excellent
form They had lost to-" much in the
first period. however and were not able
TO catch up. tho game ending with the
score 80 to - in favor Of Salem.
The second game Of tho evening was
Won by charlottesville High School
The opposing team was Arvonia. n
small hut plucky group Of boys. who
put un good fight. hut were beaten by
Their incSpcricncc. II is this type OF
school that tho league wishes To en-.
courage
Final Contests nj University,
raHerwcather gymnasium was the
scene "i me fast and exciting final
contest on Tuesday night. The gallery
WAS filled with supporters OF char.
lottosrillc. and the small group of
rootors from Salem did their share in
encouraging their team. Tho battle
was close and interesting throughout.
sa!cm started the scoring. but Char
iouesriilc pushed them hard from tho
very beginning y; the end Of the frs,
hait. Salem was lcadiuS by Il small
margin, Is To II. In the second period
inc score switched from Il Salem lead
to tie. and back again. until toward
the very last when Salem ran up To
IS. The game ended with the final
score OF rs TO -. salem had for Tho
second time won the championship of
the State.
Aftcr the game the ladies auxiliary
81 the Young Mems Christian Associa.
ton gave reception 10 tho four teams
at Madison Hall. rho cas-, room OF
INC building had been decorated bv
thcin, ana ice cream, cake and coffee
was served Charles G. Maphis prc-
scnted tho championship cup TO can
tain Peters. OF the Salem team The
reception proved to bc a very crra,
success and made n fitting close 10 so
successful n meet.
The increase in entries in the ba sket-
bal contest Of tho athletic league
shows that tho work Of the League is
hc'hs noiscd abroad. and that the sue.
cess which tho crcntors had in mind
when II was formed is only a matter
OF fow moro years The league has
neon going long enough now for
steady growth TO lao shown in liz w.rl,
ot course, There arc other things hc-
sides basketball In which the lcacuc
ls Interested. but basketball has shown
ITS worth and its growth. and aticsis
IN" encouraging prospects 81 q !arr,
Staic-"idc membership h"inu iuiIt mn
during the next few years