New Britain herald., 1926-01-25

The National Guards basketball team was extended 10 the limit Sat urdny night to beat the lIainitrld basketball quintet at tho state armory in n game that threatened every minute 10 be chalkcd mp in inc loss column for New Britain. The home team could not hit lis stride until late in the second half when spectacular baskets hy Shoc- han anl Taylor gave New Britain a four point edge, enough to win thc game by 40 10 SC score,
 The Plainneld five threw q scare into the hearts of New Britain fans and although the Guards won, inc visitors left with the local players a respect such as has not been ac- corded another unknown visiting team. Tho score socsawcl back and forth throughout the contest with first one team leading and then inc other. A spurt by New Britain would give the impression that the Nationals were on their way 10 an easy victory, but an equally fast spurt by the visitors would turn the tide just the other way.
 Loose playing in the first half dld more harm 10 the New Britain game than anything else and all the while the Plainheld tossers were display ing a fine brand of basketball that kept them in the van at every turn Of the wheel, Benson, the elongat- ed center who appeared here with the Meriden En1ces last Wednesday night. gave a neat exhibition of play ing both on the floor and in shoot ing while Dessingor and Normandlh the two forwards and Madden and Benson at guard, were about as good as anything that has appeared on the local floor in some time.
 Probably the fact that the visiting team plays the professional game more than the amateur and is rated as the best team in New England under those rules with the possible exception of the Boston HeraldS, caused them to losc the ball tre- aucntly, but they kept stride with the locals who were unable to get going. Only in the last few min utes of play after "Mort" Taylor had been projected into the game, did he local team seem to work np and then 1t appeared to be good fortune US much as anything that they were able to come through. Johnny shechan played whale of Il game al guard while "CarT' Rcstelli shone in his play at center.
 a @... First Half
 PIainneld started off when Benson the guard slipped through on a series of fast passes and caged the first field goal of the evening. Des- singer quickly followed with another after eluding both DudaCk and Shoe- han. Rcstolli. counted first for Ne" Britain with d free toss but Madden equallod this with another free toss
 Then with q quick shift from the center lb bbddth "l S''N'N N''@ clean pass-ste Reynolds. the pink top't laid one in to give New Britain 3. Benson dribblcd the entire lenSt ! of the floor and cagcd as pretty | shot as has been seen on the loca floor this~,, season. Sheehan attel seven passes te. and fro, took q sho' and the ball went in making in, score to 5 in Plainfcld's favor Norris, the center. was fouIcd bl Resteli, as he was shooting and 1T the two free tries that followed, hf made both good giving his team 9 On a pass from out Of bounds, Re steli pulled neat play when nc took the ball on the run and cagcC it from the side giving New Britain s. Benson came down the fool again after long dribbc, passed tt Normandin who fed it back to hin for another shot that was good anl Plainfield had II.
 Madden foulcd Shcchan as he was shooting and "Snowshoes" put th' two in the hoop making it 9. Pau La liar on a fast shift play took [ sucker and made l double decker for il. New Britain was playing loose basketball and repeatedly los the ball 10 the Plaindald team. Nor, ris cagcd q field goal 10 brock tho tie and give his team 13. Billy pu' dack tried long one missed. but or a pretty follow up, slipped the bal in and again tied the scoro. Naa' den took a long shot and inc haI was good. again breaking tho tie.
 Dulack put III q pretty long shot 10 tie matters up again. Norman1t however, who hadn't got into th' scoring column yol though h" Wal playing a marvellous floor gam", go' a shot and 1t was good for tNf points giving P&iu6ch a two poiu lead. Drssmgor made i 'l on 2 free toss wnild Ei)duf Was ecorin2 two for New Hr'ajn for a total o l7. Madden aft'r a pretty p'1y o passes in which every man "U thr rlalnGrld team handled 'I" la" slipped through 't. Gmr,a' ,.. 1.us' for doubln decker and Iaul Is liar for'ow~l with one for N.W Bril- ain making it 2o to 12. p-s .on'r added q free toss anl here the hal. ended with tho count standing 2I tc 19 in rlainleld's favor.
 SeCOud Half
 At the beginning ct the secont half, "Mcrt" Taylor w.ut in ai for ward in place Of LaHar. Probably through the fact that tho team i! used to having him in, Inc Worl spcodcd up somewhat He gu,rkn gave New Britain go when ho put il q free toss. DoSsingcr, however came through again with a h'auit ful toss that Eay" plainGril 22. hli duff tied inc score on shot iron under the basket. II was a rrc't, play in which Eildun took q lon. pass fIom Rrstrli and made ta' goal.
 Then for tho first time in 'h' game, New Britain went into th' l-9d when HrvNOl3s Cagrl 1 iUnl