Evening journal., 1922-01-10
DEFIANCE BOWS
TO BIRDSBORO
Local Bulldogs, Snapped
Hard by Pennsylvanians,
Born in Cage
SHIELDS PLAYS
TOP NOTCH GAME

Opposed TO the best aggregate
Of cage artists it has met in recent
years and handicapped by twelve
inch extensions on the baskets the
Defiance A. A. sojourned to Birds
boro. Pa. last night and was forced
to accept as to "a defeat at the
hands Of the Birdsboro five.
The Bulldogs were practically
outclassed in the opening period
when they failed to register field
goal but they came back strong in
the last half Although the Penn
sylvsnians did better in the final
semester they were held on almost
even terms by Defiance in this ses-
sion. The first half ended 21 to s.
Those fast on figures will be i'm
mediately acquainted with the fact
that Birdsboro tailed 27 and De-
fiance 10 in the closing canto.
The Purple and Gold paSsers dis
played as close acquaintenceshlp
with the passing art as did the boys
from near Reading but missed many
shots on account OF fighting shy OF
the basket on account OF the twelve
inch extensions. Salmon" Shields.
the veteran mainstay showed
greater familiarity with the extend
ed pocket and although he had
fewer chances than the rest, drove
three pretty two-timers through the
net Shields played up to top notch
form and was in the game every
minute with the classy Birdsboro
bunch. His playing was the feature
for the Wilmington cagers.
Boosting OF a population OF about
$500, Birdsboro Is hot bed OF
basketball. The cage, located in the
recently completed community
building adjoining the Y. NJ. c. A.,
il modern in every detail. Wire
netting encloses the court and the
\ spectators are grouped on all four
sides. Some mighty big crowds turn
out for the games and last nights
attendance was no exception TO the
general rule. Every good play. no
! matter whether Il was by a home
) or visiting player was well received
. The fans were sure impartial with
their applause.
: Several games are played in the
E community building every night 10y
reserve and league quintets but once
Y a week the big team performs. Th'
e players composing the first FIVE arr
e among the best in Berks county
o. two or three OF them hailing from
D Reading. The Pretzeltown is only
l few miles distant Several OF then
r. are men OF Eastern League expert
ence, a number OF them members o
r the major circuit at the presen
- writing but under different name
y from which they play in Birdsborc
e Hilbert. according to the nativei
n never played in the Eastern Leagu
i but he has turned down several OF
u fers. Anyone seeing this hashy an
hardy performer in action will no
n doubt this. He was a tower q
Ir strength both on the offense an
defense and seemed never to tir,
He was going just as strong at m
final whistle as he was at the star
A. Brennan, the big and husky Pre-
tector OF the pivotal post. and Moh
an old stager, guard and coach {
the team were the other stars fc
= Birdsboro. Referee Wagner handle
Z the game in the best fashion n
a writer has had the good fortune {
v witness.
e A party OF seventeen from wi
= minston made the trip 20 the Penr
P. sylyania hamlet In two automobile
, jus. like the game was clean spoi
throughout, so was the receplo