The Caledonian-record. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1920-current, 1922-02-15
BURCH PILOTS
ST. .JOHNSBURY
TO TRIUMPH 2l-2O
Powerful Berlin Quintet
Budges In Closing
Moments

basketball machine was gathering
force for one final tremendous
drive on the St. Johnsbury bas-
ket at the armory Tuesday even
ing, "Chick' Burch, coach, cap
tain and left forward on the Am
erican LegionCompanv d team
took command of the critical stu
alton, and arched into the hoop d
long toss that won the game fot
St. Johnsbury. "Whitey" Duma
clinched the contest II to 20, with
minute or two to play, when
he tailed a free throw. Leading
by the scant point, Burch kept his
basketeers shutting the big ball
safely in their own backfield pre-
cincts until the sound Of the gong
relieved the severe tension.
"Chick" very properly should re-
ceive the onus of the praise that
goes to the victors. 1t was his
brain work and strategy just at the
turning point of the game that
won the laurels for st. Johnsbury.
Berlin, with its Won linden
burg defense had stepped into
the lead II to 20, and seemed to
be gathering momentum for one
last drive that would bewildey
the locals, and sweep them off
their feet.
The invaders failed to reckon
with this "Chick" Burch, this
sort of money player, this hoop
rattler who keeps himself in Sc
clusion until a crux and then pro
iects himself, popping forth to
turn defeat into victory. Barch is
the most unselfsh player that ever
went to work on the local court.
He can shoot baskets if he want
to, but prefers to pass to his men
and let them get the credit for
the goal. Tuesday night, if
"Chick" had not shot at the hoop,
the game would have been Ber-
Inns.
With the score II to 20 against
them, the locals gained a peg on
Dumas throw from the Is foot
mark. On a neat mass from
"Fitz" Marshall, Burch made the
most of rare opportunity to
shoot from distance and tailed the
tying goal, knotting the score at
20 to 20.
"Whitey" Dumas free throw
sent st. Johnsburv ahead by
single point but the victory was
not safe until the gong sounded
the end of the game. When the
score stood u to 20 in favor of
the Burch brood, the local men
tor called time out, and gave his
men an opportunity to collect
themselves. With two minutes
rest, they went back into the game,
and clung with tenacity to their
narrow margin of victory.
1t was battle of brains versus
a physically superior team. Call
it what one may, Berlin Tuesday
night had a quintet better equip
ped physically TO combat than did
st. Johnsbury. "Lucky" Fisk sat
nervously on the sidelines aching
for a chance to get into the game.
His wry neck-a casualty received
in the Lacona contest-kcpt him
where he was. Foye had to play
Steve McGivney, taller by half
than the local athlete.
The Berlin basketecrS gave one
of the gamest exhibitions of
guarding ever seen at the Armory.
st. Johnsbury was able to score
but three baskets from the floor,
and every one of these came from
the hands Of Burch. The local,
were given ii marked advantage
over the visitors by their better
shooting from the free throw line.
The Scaletown basket tosser-
Tailed - out of 81 fouls called
by referee McQuiggan, while the
Berllnites shot but 8 out of 27
fouls.
FIRST PERIOD
But a single goal from the floor
was scored by either team in the !
first period, Burch, of course, ring
ing in the local tally, while II.
Powers sank his fve's counter.
Goslant was foulcd by Dewey /
Powers and was given a free |
shot. He Tailed it and then the |
official awarded him another, /
because "A Berlinitc, other :han
the captain, said something. st. I
JohnSbury thus had two points
to build a victory upon. Prco,
held by Burch, stood on the II /
Continued on page 81