New Britain herald., 1926-01-08

The Crescents of Hartford de- feated the American Legion basket ball five at the Y. w. c. A. last night by the margin of one field basket in a game that contained all the thrills that could possibly be crammed Into a nights play It was necessary to play a five minutes overtime period to settle the con- troversy as both teams ended the regular playing time deadlocked by the score of 24 to 24.
 The Legion team seemed to have the game tucked away near the end of the second half and with only a minute to go. the locals were leading 24 to 22. It was left to the veter. an Tim Cronin, however, to drop in the field goal that tied the score and made the overtime period necessary,
 Balfour Of the visitors was the star ot the night in scoring. He could not get going in the first half. but during the second frame, he ran wild and caged five field baskets on almost impossible shots besides sending in one free throw. Jasper was high score man for the locals but every man on the Legion team was in the game for all he was worth and Arburr gave as classy an exhibition Of guarding as has been seen on the local courts in some time.
 The Hartford team had the edge on the locals in experience and the manner in which the Capital City players handled the ball showed that they gained their ability through long years of service in basketball togs. The victory went to Hartford by a lone field basket as each team got four fouls and the Crescents scored 12 field goals to New Brit aims eleven.
 First Half
 silverman started things going in the first half when he caged a dou- bIe counter from under the basket. Cronin followed with another and Hoist got one for New Britain. Hoist added another point on a free try and Fury came through and slapped in two more points for the Cres- cents. Dutch" Leonard found his mates covered and he took shot from the middle of the floor, the ball going through to give Hartford eight to New Britain's three. A pretty spectacle of defense work was here shown. Both teams fought desperately and for several minutes neither side could penetrate the wall thrown up against them.
 Finally Luke pushed in free throw and Belser on a spectacular play caged a field goal giving the Legion five six. Fury caged foul basket and Leonard got another. Jasper shot a field goal and Luke followed him with a foul. Then just before the half ended, Belser caged a two pointer and the score at the end of the first half was II to 10 in favor of the Legion.
 Second Half
 With a pretty one handed shot, Balfour sent his team into the lead shortly after the second half had started Then Luke came through to put New Britain ahead with a field basket, the score being l3 to 1a. Balfour again pulled a spec tacular shot and gave Hartford 14. Then on a trick play that worked to perfection, Jasper slipped in an- other two pointer and New Britain was leading IS to 14. Luke made it 16 on a free throw and shortly after Balfour got his third straight field goal, tying up the score.
 The Hartford crew was playing great basketball but every play was being watched by the Legion play CTS Once again on a shifty pass, Baltour leaped Into the air and took q shot one hand. If seemed he could not miss and the score stood 18 to 1s in Hartford's favor. Bal four got & free throw and scored another. making 1t 19. Then Hoist came through with flying colors and scored field goal for New Britain and Jasper followed with another, giving New Britain 20 to the Cres- cents ls. Again Balfour shot a goal and Hartford had 2l. Welch made 1t 22 on free throw.
 Then Arburr came tearing down the floor and slipped in a double decker to givesNew Britain 24, There was only & minute 10 go and had the Legion players the experience necessary, they might have kept the edge, With seconds to go, however, CronIn tore off one of hls famous shots and the game ended in the deadlock. A all.
 Overtime Period
 A five minute overtime period was called and the teams bat'led furi- ously. Welch got his nrst laskct of the night 10 make 1t 2C and for d time 1t looked like the Cr,scrnts. Then Nyborg slipped down anl s'or- cd for New Britain, tylnE 1t up again. There was no scoring for some time until McKorran finally caged a long shot. New Britain fought desperately 10 tie i' ur again, hut their best efforts were blocked The game ended as Arhurr WIS Try ing a free shot hich h. missed,
 The summary:
 CrC-Ccnts