Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-02-10

fou like it?" put in Jack Hanley, our
tall, lanky center.
Like a fash Eddie turned and his
Ups were drawn back in a line over his
seeth. But he managed to hold himself
h and went to his own locker without
snother word, followed by NJ grins.
But that afternoon in practice we
realized that this might not be such a
iun-v matter, after all. The first hint
bf this came when somebody yelled
Shoot, Piggy!" just a. Eddie was about
ID drop in an easy one from beneath
lac basket. He missed it by feet. After
he same thing had occurred three or
four times the scrubs finally got wise
20 their opportunity, and thereafter
whenever Eddie tried to take a shot
pne of them yelled "Piggvl" He went
lcoreless the rest of the afternoon, and
hat bunch of secorld-rate substitutes
beat the team that had hopes of win
hing the district cham .nship!
Coach Johns had something to say
about the matter after practice. Again
Eddie rushed through his shower, pulled
his clothes on hastily and left. Then
The coach called us around him.
Look here, fellows, I want you to
tut out this Piggy business with Ed
Gie,' he said sternly. I'll admit it's a
good one, and a fellow ought to be able
- take some kidding, but you see what
Il does to his basket bali game. I'm not
koing to risk the success of this team
lust for your fun, sc 1 want it stopped.
Get that straight! 10 more about
Piggy"
Nobody protested, although some Of
hs laughed a little. After G., basket
tall saascn wouldn't last forever, and
I've could have our fun later.
But the damage had already been
done. A sports writer from one OF the
local newspapers had watched practice
that Afternoon, hearing the raging and
teeing its results. he saw in 1t a chance
Tor a smart, story, and the next night
the sports page OK the Dispatch bore 9
kurightly account Of how the scrubs had
beaten the Peglar High regulars through
lie simple device of clubbing Eddie
lansford Piggy"
Coach Johns made a call at the news.
taper Office. explained the situation
and obtained the reporters promise II
Say no more abnlIt the matter. But or
the following Friday night we jour.
eyed to Brcoksvtlle, IL miles away, fol
E league game, and learned all too soor
{ at the story had travelled over there
thortly after the game began Eddie go'
the ball on a pass from Frank Hag'
terty and had an easy shot near ths
sree-throw line. In the second befor'
the bali left his hands the man whs
was guarding him Missed, Look out
piggyfs Eddie faltered and the bal
rarely brushed the lower strings OF tn
net.
That started it, but the worst wa
yet TO come. Although defense wa
almost air-tight, at the end Of the frs
half We We're trailing. Brooksville, on,
of the weakest teams in the district, b.
a sccrc Of 0 to Z. Eddie hadn't got
single basket.
Bctween the halves Coach Johns tool
him ;.slde sor a little talk, most of whicl
,"Inoe hoo. r;.die," he said seriously
"yCu've got to snap out Of it. Yo'
mustn't let this 'Piooy' business &c
ycur goat. There's no sense in it,"
II know there isn't" said Eddie, hi
face pale, "but I can't help it, coach
/ just see red when I hear that word"
Then don't hear it, barked tn
won't listen. Shut your ears to every
thing except the whistle"
"I1l try" said Eddie grimly.
He did try, and for a while he wa
successful. During the first minute G
the second half he Gagged two prett
shots, whereupon we all breathed sigh
Of relief and shouted encouraging ,ord
to him.
But it didn't last long. On his thir
try the Brooksville cheer leader shoute
that hated word through his megaphon
and Eddie missed again.. After that h
went all to 1ieces. His guard left hiI
3nd started COMING down the floor fc
short shots at the basket. Coach Johr
.tnol IL for a time. hut at last he too
Eddie out and sert Rags in at forwar'
Our hopes for the district title migf
have been blasted right there II Do
.Fcaes had not suddenly and surnri'
;ngly deve'oped an e baSke
~Tooksville's defense was weak, so tn;
VIC o. nlenty of opportunities. but, f:
I've said before. we were far from b.
i~~ a hunnh of sha-pshooters. How
eyer. Don had a real field day. and