New Britain herald., 1925-02-23

Showing surprisingly agreeable reversal of form, the National Guards swept to 8 sweet overtime victory over the Meriden Endees att the armory Saturday night by the score of 40 to 36. It was a game as exciting as anyone could wish, 1t featured sensational shooting and clever teamwork and. above all, showed that the Mats have emerged from their slump and also are a team that can play team work-for 1t was the team work of the Mats that featured for those who were watching the boys with critical eyes.
 Team Passes Better
 The Mats displayed a dazzling passing game that had the visitors looking foolish in the first half, while "Tim" Cronin, the Endee vet eran forward, was sewed up almost completely by the close guarding of Captain Sheehan. In the second half the Meriden boys took the floor with renewed yigor and gradually overcame the Nats' lead until with less than two minutes to go Kilduff blew an easy shot under the basket and the Meriden team got the ball, worked 1t down to McNamara who tossed in a field goal putting the visitors ahead S3-32. A split second before the final whistle McCaughey fouled Reynolds and amid a deafen- ing din the sorrel topped forward made good on one of his two free tries, thus tying the score at 3S all.
 The Overtime Victory
 Referee Chick Hayes ordered the n"o n,'rnte overtime period and then
 as though the Mats were
 lose for McNamara sped
 floor for a double decker,
 team ahead 35-33. Carl Restelli and Mert Taylor both missed shots for the basket but a second later Restelli tossed one in from scrimmage for the tie-up at S5. Here Meriden took their fourth time out and Captain Sheehan. glv- ing a forcible denial to the rumor that all is not well between himself and Restelli generously gave the ball to Carlo to make the free try. Restelli threw it in cleanly and New Britain led by one point. Then "Red" Reynolds flashed in brilliant shot. Gade fouled Taylor, but Mert showed that he still is far from. old time form when he blew both. The play was fast and furious and Re stelli fouIed McNamara who made good one free shot and the game ended a moment later after kilduft had tossed in New Britain's 10th point from under the basket.
 Revised Lineup Used
 This was the first overtime game on the armory floor this season and was just as exciting as the score would indicate. Manager Lanpher started off with revised lineup with Paul LaHar at forward in place of Taylor and Harold Weir at guard for Kilduff. Weir did not last long es he had to retire with an injured leg. The new combination worked well however, and LaHar played q strong game while he was in, justi' flying the managers judgment 1T starting him. His only trouble, Ii any, is that he is too fast on his feet He played his position fine, shot wei and passed accurately. In fact New Britain did more passing Saturday night than in any other game and incidentally, it appeared that Cap tain Johnny Sheehan was given more passes that entitled him to shOo ehan in any other game. This doubtless was to offset the report that certain players were not pass ing to Sheehan. Carlo Restelli wa! in fine form for this game and a. his eye seemed accurately gauged the team used him to advantage an' majority of the passes up the foo ended with the team feeding tn ball to him for the final shot. Thu Carlo was the high scoring ace 0 the evening with six goals from tn field Later, in the second half Taylor went into the game and La
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