The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1939-11-23
High School, College Coaches
Undecided as to Starting
Lineups With Eveleth.

| Aspirants for starting positions on
the high school and Junior College
basketball teams are working out daily
in preparation for the seasons opener
on Dec. l, a doubleheader here with
Eveleth.
When the clubs take to the hardwood
for their initial start there will be
eight changes in the rules that will
| have to be observed, one of which has
made the playing court four feet longer.
Potential starters on the two fives
have been narrowed down considerably
since practice first began. Newcomers
have been giving veterans a run for
their money
Joe Novak, forward, and Matt
Mayerle, guard, both veteran campaign
ers, are about the only college players
sure of anything. Leonard TomSich,
speedy freshman, has been given an
opportunity to perform at the forward
post opposite NoVak, and has been
turning in a good job.
Stanley SuStercich, regular forward
last year, who was not in school during
the fall term, will register for the second
quarter which starts Dec 4, it is re-
ported. Sustercich, who will be a well
come addition to the squad, will not be
available for the opener.
Steve Grahek, another letterman, and
Torsti Franti, lengthy freshman, have
been alternating at the center spot
Grahek, because of his experience, may
start at this position, but his elongated
lunderstudy is showing up well.
William LouShin, veteran from last
season; John Zaic, freshman, and
Tony Strukel have been alternating at
the guard post opposite Mayerle. zaic,
swimmer in high school, has shown
considerable promise.
Coach Barney Banks may select his
starting five against the Tigers from
| this lineup. Three more men have
joined the squad since the original list
was published They include Frank
Povhe, regular end on the football
team; Tony Markun and DIVA Kivipelto
Over in Coach Steve Smrekar's side
of the camp there is also considerable
head scratching going on as to whom to
play where. Veterans here are by no
means sure of holding down positions
assigned them a year ago. A crew of
Sc candidates turned out for practice
| Working out at the forward positions
are Paul Prola and Ed Pucel, lettermen,
and Roy johnson, Frank Vertnik and
Louis Rebel. Willie Grahek, veteran
from last year, is holding down the
center position, with Tony Grahek as
his understudy.
Three of last years lettermen are
fighting it out for the guard posts, and
are being pushed to the limit by three
members of last years sophomore squad.
Lettermen include Dan Mestnik, An
drew Luthanen, and William Mills, with
| tn newcomers being Lloyd Bird, Albert
Rowe and Ed Hutar. Edwin Fogelberg,
Joe Kuzrna, Rex Ola, Stanley Grebenc
and Louis Senta have been added to
| the squad.
There have been eight principal
changes in the rules, one or two Of
which may alter the game considerably.
They follow:
| l. Wherever possible (and that
means Ely court end lines must be
four feet behind plane of the back
board. This is an increase of two feet
over last year and means the playing
floor will be four feet longer. This al
lows four feet behind the blackboard
in which the ball can be played without
stepping out Of bounds.
A most important change in the rules
it may mean that offensive play will
be altered considerably, although
lcoaches here are not Stressing this
point until they see what happens IL
actual competition.
1t may result in higher scoring games
Now the back of the basket will have
to be watched just as closely as tl<
front, with the result that there viii
be considerable more playing within
the immediate vicinity of the hoop
Zone defenses, too, won't function 81
well. How many pot shots a long
armed tall man can sink now that h,
doesn't have to worry about being ou
Of bounds is a matter of considerable
, discussion.
: 2. Any player may ask for time out
Formerly this was allowed only to TIL
team captain.
3. After personal foul team ma,
elect to take the ball out of bounds a
, the center of the court instead O
trying for the charity toss.
4. If free throw fails to go through
l the hoop and also misses the ring, tn
ball goes to the opposing team out @
bounds at the end of the court Thi
! is to prevent player INTENTIONAL
missing the throw, bouncing the ba
| off the blackboard into a teammate
hands for a try at field goal
5. After the free threw followin
a technical foul, play is resumed b
allowing the free-thrower's team t