The Covington leader. (Covington, Tenn.) 18??-current, 1918-01-17
THE CONVICTION GRAMMAR
SCHOOL BASKET BALL TEAM
Chapter 1.-OrganizatiOn.
By George Flowers

:, In the fall of 1917, the Grammar
School boys wishing to be represent
Id upon the athletic fields with some
form of sport, decided upon basket
ball. Of course we all wanted to
play, but we could not muster up
the proper amount of nerve" to ask
our teacher for permission to inter-
view the superintendent of the
school upon the subject. But just at
this point up walked the broad-shoul-
dered, big-boned John Biddle, who
has NERVE" and to spare. He was
the man for the occasion, and walked
right straight up and got the need
ed permission. He then went to
the superintendent, who gladly
gave permission, thus exploding our
bugaboo. However, he ruled that each
of US should pay so cents to supply
fuel, if we wanted to use the gym
nasium.
Well, after this we were as busy as
we well might be without interfere
ing with our studies (of course), and
organized two teams. We used IL
men-enough to man the teams and
allow two substitutes. We went out
on January 80, 1917, for our first
practice, and l could hardly wait for
the ball to be thrown up between the
centers, so enthusiastic was / at the
prospects of so healthy a season in
athletics.
In about week it was decided
that practice had progressed to such
stage that it was advisable to pick
team-a varsity" so to speak
Another reason why we were forced
to pick the team so early after prac-
tice was begun was the fact that we
were to play the District School with
in a very few days.
I, How the team was ever picked, | do
not know, but / do know that there
was a minor revolution about it-such
revolution as is continually occur
ring in the lesser realms of South
America. Some declared that they
were as good as the players who were
picked for the team, and others de-
clared that the fellows" on the first
team were very "small potatoes" in
deed, insofar as their prowess upon
the field of basketballistic honors
was concerned. At first, | was elect
ed captain of the team, but not being
able to endure the rising revolt, l alb
dicated the throne in favor of Jere
Upton.
The lineup, as finally agreed upon,
was as follows:
Alfred Boyd center; James Rose,
left guard A. B. Cobb, right guard;
Jere Upton, left forward; George
Flowers, right forward.
It had not been decided upon what
day we should tackle the District
School, but we were willing to try
the mettle Of our opponents any day.
Neither team was in what might be
called first-class- condition, but the
District School left it up to US to
decide what date the battle should
be staged. We were in a hurry to
play the game as soon as possible.
The average weight of our team
was 80 pounds, and that Of the Dis
trfct School 80 pounds. They had
US skinned on weight, but what we
lacked in weight we made up in
the courage that is so essential to
winning the victory.
At about this time it was decided
that no team could possibly play its
best without a complete set of nick
names: so the following nicknames
were apportioned to the members Of
our team, as follows: Alfred Boyd,
Al; James Rose, Jockey; A. B. Cobb,
Buck; Jere Upton, Horse; George