The Washington times., 1929-03-04
NJ CAR THY
KEEN FOR
SPORT
BY George A. Simpson

Basketball is a conditioner
FOR other sports assert Freddy
Mesmer, Georgetown Univer-
sity floor leader and guard,
and Maurice A. Mccarthy, jr.,
the Hilltop's other regular
guard.
Not only does basketball prime
them for a golf or tennis match,
but each claims it strengthens
rather than handicaps their play
ing forms.
They are entitled to advance
opinions as each is proficient in
other athletic lines, Mccarthy
adorned with the halo as intercol'
-legiate golf titlist and Mesmer, iden'
titled as a tennis player of more
than passing notice.
Mccarthy said he likes basketball
as we'll as golf, deriving as much
pleasure and excitement from the
speedy indoor game as the
frozen" game contested over dales,
glens and inviting greens. Golf, he
related. is cold and more settled,
minus the interesting situations
prevalent in basketball.
His father is pro at the Did
Flatbush Club in Brooklyn, and
the Junior Mccarthy grew up in
golf atmosphere, being under his
dads eyes until his departure
for school Inbred were COLTS
principles and he has been an
acknowledged tOpliner since his
tenderest days.
'"This stuff about injuring your
game by participating in some other
sport is the bunk" declared Nc.
-Carthy. Basketball, it has been
my experience, keeps me in trim
for golf. The only fear Is an in
Jury to the hands. During my
high school days, l tore my right
forefinger in a basketball game and
nearly sealed my golf days. l was
inactive four months, but the in
Jury soon mended and my golf grip
was not impaired.
"I don't know what will do
when finally forced to give UP
basketball. l intend to play the
game after leaving college as l get
a great deal Of pleasure out of it..
Golf is more settled as you know
what is required when playing an
opponent on the links, but basket
ball always develops thrilling and
unexpected incidents.
Zone must be quick in basket
ball" further explained Mccarthy,
whereas every movement in golf
is studied before a player event
ually makes play. Too. is the
satisfaction in basketball when a
play operates smoothly and the
enjoyment of sharing with others
the happy feeling of a well-earned
victory over a formidable rival.
Freddy Mesmer, erhaps the
best basketeer on Coach Elmer
Ripley's Blue and Gray five,
conCurs with McCarthy's views
as to the merits OF the floor
game. The Georgetown cap
tain, who has reached seat
of prominence In Central New
York State tennis circles,
strongly advocates basketball
as o builder for wind and legs.
Like Mccarthy, he is also
attached to the game but
chooses COach's position upon
his graduation.
Basketball parallels tennis"
CO4tAAAOhICu the crafty f1IlIOp cap
tain, excepting that tennis is more
strenuous and trying on the heart
and nerve centers. The only diff
ference is that collective strength
is necessary in basketball while the
individual must rely on his own
ability in tennis. Basketball con-
ditions me for arduous tennis
matches.
"It also provides plays that only
the coaches, and players appreciate,
as they happen and pass so quickly
that the spectators fail to recognize
their operations. That Is the fun +
find In basketball as we'll as the
knowledge of having others TO help
you in pulling plays that BATTLE the
opposition.
zone must also think fast"
added Mesmer, and snap at a
pause or lapse in the defense of
the opponents. And the game
keeps you on your toes throughout
the entire forty minutes. partic-
ularly If the score is close as there
. Is no chance whatever Of taking a
seconds rest