The Wrangell sentinel., 1924-02-28
Champions Return From Tour
 Washington State

Wrangell's Champion Basketball team returned Monday afternoon on the Alameda from their two weeks playing trip throughout Western Washington; a trip that demonstra- lted that basket ball in Alaska is on !par with that of the States. Even during the heavy playing schedule that was forced on the boys in order that they might return to their studies the sooner, when seven games were played in nine evenings, the bays held up under the strain. Such a schedule is seldom attempted even by colleges, and it is credit to the condition of the players that such a stiff schedule could be played with only one substitute player in the sev- en games.
 An Assembly was held at the high school on Tuesday afternoon, when the members of the team were called upon to give the details of their trip. ICaptain John Coulter narrated in a humorous strain how the trip to Se- attle was negotiated, and gave summary of the first few games. Each member of the team was then prevailed upon to take a portion of the trip and relate the events of in- terest All of the boys were more than pleased with the trip and the orderly way in which it was conduct ed by MT. Charles Garfield of the Se attle Chamber of Commerce. MT. Garfield accompanied the team on it's trips and saw to it that all train con- nections were satisfactorily negotia- ted. The boys claim that surprise was shown by several of them that the trains did not blow their half hour whistle. After the first expe- rience for three of the boys aboard train, the novelty wore off and also the first few qualms of 'seasickness.
 The first game of the trip was played at Hoquiam, one of the Grays Harbor twins, where the boys were handed the worst setback of the Journey. Having just decamped from the three days trip on the steamer and the hot ride on the train. they were unable to put up the sort of a game that afterwards character ized their playing. This also was the first experience of the year on small court. Wrangell had many shots but were unable to convert.
 From then on the games increased in interest and speed, until the last game against Snohomish, where the tired team, after six game schedule, was unable to keep up with the fresh, but inferior team. Only occasional l ly was the combination of Coulter, Desmond and Loftus able to show the bewilderingf passing game, that had fooled their former opponents. Then too this game was played after long automobile ride over almost Ioduo, "hClC thC llooh- tain freshets had overflown their banks, in places covering the road to depth that reached the running boards of the car.
 The other game which was lost was to the Elma Demolays, Junior Ma son organization, and not the regular high school aggregation. This team was composed of former high school and college stars, with the addition of the pick of the Elma City League team. The game was fast and rough. Desmond being knocked out in the encounter, and Lee taking his place. But for this fact the score would have been even closer than was the final verdict.
 The trip to Bremerton was accom- plished via boat and the change seemed to do the boys world of good, for on arriving they put up about the finest game of the trip.
 At Bremerton they were escorted through the naval yards, and to Charleston, an adjunct of Bremen lton.
 The first win for the Wrangell hoopsters came at Montesano, the second game of the trip. After the disastrous game at Hoquiam the Wrangell team was not considered as strong rival, but the dope was up- set. The same was true at Aber- deen, where the "Weatherwax" were soundly trounced, much to their sur prise.
 Throughout the series of games the boys were welcomed at the vari- ous schools, where Assemblies were held in their honor. MT. Garfield was the principal speaker, but was ably supported by Rev. Corser and lElton Engstrom. The purpose of the