The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1922-03-02


MoRGANTowN, March 2.-Af-
ter having overcome all the trying
mishaps that arc ordinarily encoun-
tered during the course Of each sea-
son and playing under a greater
handicap through tho latter part Of
their schedule tho West Virginia
University basketball squad is now.
making q last stand. The Noun.
taineers surpassed all the medic
Gro obstacles and in spite of minor
injuries and other troublesome ln-
ctdents managed to come through
the rst half Of their card with
flying colors. In fact many pre-
dieted that they would win the trl,
state title and things certainly did
look promising for q while. How
ever It seemed too good to last and
while on the basketball trip early
last month four regulars fell vic
Tins TO the "flu" and from that
time until the present tho Varsity
has been sliding. Two OF the men
who were sent home sick, George
Hill and Russ Meredith, have not
yet returned to the lineup and the
third. Pierre Hill, is still in poor
condition. Only ono, Homer Mar
tin, has fully recovered but. he has
boon "oif color" ever since.
Having dropped eight OF .thei7
last ten games the fighting spirit"
Of the MoIntaineer warriors is be-
ing aroused and with important
games com ng with W. & j., Pitt
and Yves; Virginia Wesleyan they
are preparing to make a last stand.
There IS not a possible chance Of
tho Mountatneers winning the tri-
state Championship and the hopes
OF capturing the state title are
fading since Captain Kiger's out
fit was only able to trim the MethoI
dists by two point margin here
several weeks ago.
West Virgin n's worst teams arc
always at their best when .pitted
against the Painters, Presidents
and Methodists-the oldest and
most formidable rivals In all bran
ches OF sport. Mediocre Mountain
cor teams have played in an as.
founding manner against these
teams turning certain deefat into
victories. A month ago even the
most pesslmistlc West YirginIan
would have adm tied that these old
rivals were due fol. a drlbbing. but
today the most enthusiastic Of the
pessimists will not concede n
Mountaineer victory IN single In
stance. II Is a very gloomy sltua-
ton and one that will test the
metal Of every man on the squad.
West Virginia will be fighting
with her back to THO wall during
the ten or eleven days. This Sutur-
day w. Il j. comes here and next
week end Coach Stadsvold,s boys
will entertain the Pitt tossers. The
locals have home floor" advan-
tage in both games, hut that Is all.
When they play Wesleyan at Buck
harmon on Wednesday, March Is.
they will not oven have the benefit
OF such an advantage will will un.
doubtedly be a little shaky when
thoy invade tho Methodist town,
being the first Mounta'neer team
to visit that place in five years.
As already mentioned the Noun
taineers easily outclassed ove-y
thing in this locality early in the
season, winning eight of their first
ten games. Then came the "flu"
which permanently crippled the
woodworking machine and upset
Coach Stadsvolds championship
aspirations. 1t Is easy to review the
present floor campaign. but all the
victories were crowded into the
first half when the squad was In
good shape, while the defeats wero
suffered after the lineup was "shot
to pieces"
In spite. Of the numerous reyer-
SEES Of the past three weeks 1t Is
not too late for the Mountaineers
to stage another whirlwind finish
and Stadsvold's prnteges got off to
a good start last Tuesday by trim
ming Westminster College. With
only Captain Kiger, Pierre Hill,
Homer Martin, Bob Hawkins, Doug
Bowers Legs" Hawloy and Hop
Fuccy remaining Of that fine squad
that threatened TO win the section
al title the Mountaineers are ready
to make a Sensational last stand'
and can be counted upon to put up
q hard battle in the coming games.