Evening star., 1924-01-16

OF course, with the departure Of
many OF these war workers after the
the terrific struggle had diminished
the number OF teams was reduced. but
interest in the sport was not decreas-
ed q bit. Playing strength WAS con-
soiidated. several leagues formed and
competition OF the highest order fol-
lowed.
Yankees Boost Game.
In the season OF 191s-2o the Y. l.
G. A. Yankees jumped into the lime
Light by taking the measure Of prac-
tically all other Washington aggre-
cations and number Of out OF town
quints. This team took its name from
an orgeniEation that represented the
ORIGINAL u. G. A. Yankees were
very capable basketers. too.
Thfs new Yankee outfit was COM
posed mainly Of former Washington
niSh school boys. two or three of
whom had played in the same scholas-
tic combination. and in their per-
tormances team play was emphasized
above everything else. In their first
season they virtually won the Dis
trlct Championship. although one or
Two other teams that claimed city
'evrels were not encountered.
IN the winter of 1s20-21 the Yam
KEGS moved to the hills beyond Ana
costa and took the name OF Congress
HeiShts Yankees. They virtually be-
came a semi professional aggregation
tnat season, for they were opposed
70 many paid teams. They were for
midaole enough to overcome all local
opposition. numbering among their
victims the Aloysius Club, then
spranStng into prominence.
Game Greatly Improved.
The name Of Washington Yankees
was adopted the following season and
again the team swept to a city title,
put iast winter It was opposed by the
quint. and q stronger Aloysius crew.
Although the Yanks vanQuished the
LegsonnatreS. they could not cope with
their old rivals and for the hrst time
IN four years were forced to play Sec
The success Of these larger teams in
arousins great public interest in basket
ball caused increased activity among
the smaller fry and soon there were
scores OF CUNTS ranging from 80-pound-
NOTED mainly by neishborhood clubs.
although several schools and churches
became vitality interested in the sport
All OF this has brought basket ball
into high favor. Games now are not
tho rough-and.tumble affairs Of a few
ordered play that can be appreciated
by spectators. The individual has i'm
proved, too. Instead Of the take-a-
chancc when-the-referee-is-n looking
player SO prevalent a decade or two
ago. one sees mostly the athlete striv-
Ing earnestly to play the bail instead Of
the man. putting all Of his energy into
the game itself instead OF employing
1t to the physical detriment Of an op-
ponent.
oAcials Have Built Sport.
Much Of this Improvement OF course,
IS due to the earnest efforts OF the
ofhcials. those hard-working men
who can build or destroy any ath-
letfc sport. When basket ball started
here William Belts and Sidney Bie-
Der were perhaps the most prominent
and efficient handlers of contests.
They ohiciated with fine courage
and It needed courage in the early
90s-end judgment and most OF those
following in the first twenty years OF
the sport In Washington did the same.
For q time the ofYicials were targets
Of harsh criticism. but they weather
ed the storm and today basketers
Basket Ball Ohicials' Society Of the
District Of Columbia, that ie always
ready to Cooperate. with the players
In efforts to better the game.
With the advent Of industrial teams
this winter, notably the Palace Laun-
dry five-ths name now used by the
often champion YankeeS-basket ball
in Washtngton should be stronger
than ever While the clubs will con.
tinue to be prominent In the develop
meut OF the game, these Industrial
teams. better financed, are able to
offer entertainment OF a higher class