The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1936-03-12
SPORTS
OF THE WEEK
(Chuck Rathe)

With the district roundup out
of the way high school basket
ball has gone over the boards
for another season. The locals
after eliminating Long Prairie
finally took it on the nose at
the hands of Alex in the semi
finals. Despite the fact that
Sank Centre was eliminated
from district competition, 1t
still remains that the locals
played the smartest ball game
of the entire play when they
defeated Long Prairie. Long
Prairie has a type of offensive
that is hard to stop once 1t
gets under way. They play 1t
fast for the breaks and they
have men who can score. Har-
vey's lads by playing stalling
game for four quarters SO be-
wildered the Long Prairie ag-
gregatiOn that they were never
able to get any place. They
never got a bucket until the
fourth quarter when they made
a lone one to ward off being
skunked.
While Alex dumped Swanville
and Sank Centre in rotation they
met their Waterloo at the hands of
Bertha. Bertha went through the
tourney on the wings of the dark
horse" and to the delight of the
fans took the seat of the champ
from Alex. None figured for Ber-
tina to win. Commentators were fav-
oring Glenwood or Sank Centre,
Swanville or Long Prairie to dump
the Black and Reds. When Bertha
finally came through it was with
delight that the district welcomed
the change. Bertha had never had
the championship since being plac-
ed in this district, and she played
good enough ball to down the title
holder. More power to her!
AS after every district meet
there is a little of the bad SAVIOR
left for the fans to grumble about.
Not that Alex doesn't handle details
to the benefit of all, and not that
the officials as whole wernt all
right. 1t just resolves itself into
the question whether or not the
district meet should be held at all.
Agitation has increased in the past
few seasons that it be eliminated
altogether. 1t is a known fact that
for the town whose gym is used
it affords a distinct advantage to-
ward winning the pennant. At pre-
sent no neutral floor is available
which if the district is to be con-
tinued is the logical conclusion. If
1t is not to be continued then per-
centages over the season will base
the trends toward the champion
ship. This is the most practical sol
ution to a real distinct rating. Any
team that has not won game all
season may get hot in the district
for two games and come out on
top. After all there ought to be
two good games in any club. Over
a seasons period the teams are re-
presented at their best and their
worst and the average will be the
fair way to pick the champion.
We're not singing a juicy bunch
of sour grapes, but the thought has
been brewing for long time. 1t is
not a reflection of jealousy of
Alex because they have the tour
ney, but a practical solution to
more perfect district rating.
Along with this suggestion
which outside pressure will
bring to bear on the district
committee is the one regarding
the reporting of all games in
the district throughout the sea-
son. The plan, which this COR
ner would like to see raised, Is
a game would report to the sec
rotary of the district commit
tee who would transmit the
scores to the press of the dis
trict. If the tourney Is eliminat-
ed then this would of course be
imperative. If not It will serve
as q stimulatOr to bring the
fans to the district meet, and
enable them to know the COM
parative strength Of the entire
district.
With basketball fading into the
background the sports-minded are
yearning for the smart click of ball
on the bat-the stove league Is
specializing on the local prospects
Of baseball. Wonderings are cur
rent on just what Sank Centre will
do about a club this summer.
Whether the city will be represent
ed In the national sport is a mat