New Britain herald., 1929-04-16

The phantoms have smashed an ancient a!Ige and have proved that lightning strikes twice in the same placc. For two successive seasons this young basketball team, with an attack which almost Nies with na- lures electricity in its speed and destructive power, has captured 'he court championship of New Britain and proved its right 10 tho city title beyond question.
 When the first city tournament WAS held last year the Ihantoms had hardly haen heard or. Whom il Was over ,he dlzed basketball fan. o: the city Were wondering how a group of uncoachrd young ters hal been able to conquer all the oth r teams ill the city. But. when the Phantoms successfully defended their title in the tourney which f"- gently closed they Were generally recognized as the cream of New Dritain's amateurs and no atiD. which any other team might off T could stand in the face of the play f:.hJitei by the repeating tltle-Win- ucgs. They won on merit.
 >.artcd at Boys Club
 Three years ago there was a group of youngsters, 13 and fl years of age. playing on team in q small Boys club league. They were so successful that when the following season came they cut loose from the club and went out on their own initiative under the name of the Entered in tn" junio: Hartford County Y NJ. C. A, leagu', they proceeded to clean up all op position by such lop-s:ded scores that 'he race Vas farce. An1 in road games about the state the team made an excellent showing which enabled r 70 claim the jun for champions hip Of Connecticut.
 The phantoms continued their victories last year in independent games. and then came the first ely tournament. The youthful Phan- toms planned al first to enter 'hc intermediate class. but they could not GGite make the weight. So they drew a long breath and stepped into the senior class without one chance in a million being conceded them. But those who followed that tourna- me1t Will never forget their sue ccssiv4 victories over the Son, n Church, Independents, and Lions in three of the most thrilling games ever played in New Britain Play ing an inspired type Of basketball. the PhantOms smashed their way 10 th" championship over fayorIte aftar favorite
 strong COntcnders
 The past year began drably for the team. Two Of it's members were playing in the factory league anu one at high school. It was difficult 10 obtain games, for the good teams scorned them and teams in their class feared them. Wh-n they came into the tourna ment they had a record of only SIX victories and five defeats. but they were rec oenized as strong contendors anI were not the under-dogs they had been in 1928.
 And they justified this rocogui- ton. Rising up once more and showing once and for all that they were wonderful money" or tourna ment players, the Phautoms asa.n crashed 10 q city title in three suc- cessiVe games. First they bad ' tiounced the highly rated Bluns Then they downed the Independents but in this contest they showed a slight slackening Of pace. The tin1, game brought them against the powerful Sons Of Italy, and tn, Phantoms. by q brilliant last hali rally which kept tl.e crowd on ts feet by it's spectacular and coul ageous nature. came from behini and won the game in the last 3G seconds.
 COhcn's Winning Basket
 IT was fitting that the winning basket should be scored by Captain Isidore Cohen. for II was Cohen Nhc brought the team 10 the top. For the Phantoms never have had a coach. never have had anyone to show them what 10 do or how 10 do t They have had 10 learn for them selves, and in this process they were Jed and guided by the left handed captain. who has been boss" of the team from the start
 Cohen. a great floor worker and a deadly shot is one of the outsta nd ing forwards in the city. Pairing of