Evening star., 1939-01-22
Few Fives Maintain
Pace That Gained
Stars '3S Meet
St. Johns, Eastern Still
Strong. but Suburban
Quintets FoIter
BY GEORGE HUBER.

<uIHtetS TOIteI
BY GEORGE HUBER.
The ever-changing and often un-
predictable pattern of victory and
defeat is shifting some Washington
and suburban scholastic basket ball
teams above positions held last year
while others, formerly on top, falter
and threaten to fall before strength
ened rivals.
AS the teams begin to gnaw into
the meat OF their schedules, the
fortunes OF the eight quintets in
vited last year to The Stars metro
politan championship tournament
present a cross section Of what is
: happening to last seasons leaders.
Some are as strong and stronger
others have dropped down peg or
two and in q few instances the
schoolboy flves are floundering
around in the midst of extended
losing streaks.
st. Johns, Eastern, Western,
Bethesda-C Chevy Chase, Washing
ton-Lee, Mount Rainier, Fredericks-
burg and Georgetown Prep were
leaders this time last year and all
took part In this sections outstand-
ing schoolboy basket ball tourna-
ment. Where are they now?
st. Johns Still Sturdy.
A different picture is presented IN
some cases as the teams battle for
the coveted invitation. st. Johns,
Catholic school champion and later
winner of The Star tourney. again
has a strong five. It has won seven
of its eight games over some of the
best local and suburban teams,
losing only to Eastern. Something
more of its chances will be known
after Thursdays meeting with
Gonzaga, perennial threat to the
Johnnies' leadership among Catho-
lie schools. The Purple likewise has
lost only to Eastern, and by the
same margin, although it has played
fewer games than st. Johns.
Eastern, public school winner last
year and runner-up to ST. Johns for
the metropolitan title, once more has
. good quintet of smooth working,
experienced boys. Roosevelt Is
presenting strong threat with its
well-knit team, and, in fact. nearly
every other school in the public high
race has a chance. Tech has been
defeated once by Eastern. but
probably will get into the school
pAy-on.
Western shows but a shade less
than Roosevelt, and even Woodrow
Wilson. coached this year by Tony
Kupka, who as Bethesda Chevy
Chase coach has been represented in
. Ill six Star tournaments, has .
chance.
Leland sophs Too Screen"
Bethesda Chevy Chase is one of
he faltering outfits. Its losing
streak now is extended to eight
games and shows no immediate signs
Of ending. It's rival for Montgom-
Dry County honors, Montgomery
Blair Of Silver Spring is presenting
. serious threat with q squad Of
tall, experienced players.
The Blairs have not been winning
koo often, however, and Fridays
game between the two at Silver
' Spring will have much bearing on
who will be invited to represent the
county. The Blairs hope to end
Bethesda Chevy Chase's six-year
reign in county basket ball by CATCH
ing them IN the midst Of their losing
streak.
Northern Virginia leaders also line
up differently. Washington-Lee, for
two years one of the two represent
atives from that area, has a young,
inexperienced five that has lost 8
Of 10 games. Next year, when its
present sophomore players are more
seasoned, 1t again may be a Virginia
leader.
G. W. High Five Climbs.
Threatening to replace Washing
ton-Lee is George Washington High
Of Alexandria, very much in the run
ming this year while playing in the
Virginia class A conference, top
schoolboy loop of the State. These
rivals meet In two games next
month, at Alexandria on February 3
and at Arlington on February "a,
with the outcomes to decide the
nearby Virginia representative.
Fredericksburg. the other Virginia
team in last seasons tourney, ap-
pears stronger than before. All
players are seniors and were men,
bers Of last years team. It is hav-
Ing little trouble with quints in its
section. Likewise Mount Rainier Is
doing we'll in Maryland's Prince
Georges County, and at present ap-
pears the choice there.
Georgetown Prep is another OF
last years fair teams that now is
aaltering. It's drop is attributed to
young and inexperienced material
which, while giving promise of bet
ter teams in the next two years
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