The Phoenix index., 1941-02-22
Basketball Offers Supreme Challenge To
Modern Boy; Kids Should Learn Early TO
Develop Similar Skill With Both Hands
M Lyc1us Melanchozu Jones

# THE FEAT of George GIamack sx-foot five inch
ter of the University of North Carolina at Chapel HILL
who Monday bagged 81 points in game against
c. State to run his 1941 individual total to 470 points,
should prove lasting inspiration to boys all over the woro
who aspire to play basketball well.
81 Glamack because natural handicap of defective
vision and is forced to play in glasses is widely
known as the blind Blizzard But judging from his per-
sonal eats would be tempted believe the spectacles
are asset rather than liability.
Only recently Gamack shot 45 points IN game
against Clemson another trad0nal rVal OF he lafhee
for al-time dixie scoring record
Several years ago. Angelo (Hank) Luiset crack for
ward of Stanford University graduated with fouryear
individual scoring record of 1886 points for average OF
800 points In his top year, he rOped 465 Gla
macks 47O this year to date beat Lusets mark by five
ponts-and the blind blizzard sl has three games
Washington and Lee Duke, and DaVidson-in which he
may garner enough points to set up an a-tlme hghscog
record that may never be equaed.
Gamacks feat, were he normal in every respect
would be phenomenal That with natural handicap, he
has performed such nearmrac should appeal to the fancy
and fire the imagination of every living youth interested
in the hardwood sport.
Some coaches reprimand boy for taking shot from
farther the court than the foul others
pecially vtrolc and in their criticism when kid
pops Onehanded swing shot from more than few steps
of the basket
You'll find plenty of coaches who don't their boys
to shoot the ball from out at all unless they're trailing
late in the game
of thought 1t has the conviction the fans want thrills
that scoring provides the aerand that to get points
ary and Systematically have TO develop great shots
The column leans strongly toward the strategy of let
ting kid take his pet shots whenever and wherever they
be followed up regiously for possible goals second
third, later attempts at the basket
All kids don't have four five different
spots" from which they suredeath gOarngers. Yer
sae shots most But most any boy who plays the
game at all and is doce learn to master a SINGLE
favorite pet" shot Teach boy of limited offensive
ability pet shot, let him be fed whenever the stage is
this mechanical device and he may win you flock
of ball games
At any rate, encourage rather than discourage kid
to take the shots he believes he make with good per
cenage of success emphasizing the Importance following
up these shots for the possibility of delayed conversions
~, Put the emphasis defense when the other
team has the ball and teach the boy the underlying funda
rnentals of both offensive and defensive payand you
cannot get around having welrounded team if the
er and the coach of the mould for outsand
ing Success
1t is the fond hope of the column that every boy who
plays aspires TO play basketball will be inspired by the
remarkable individual feat OF George Gamack called CLAM
for short and known popularity as the Blind Blizzard"
If much success can be achieved under physical
handicap, why can't normal boys who willing to perse
and take superb of their physical selves learn to
play the game with outstanding ability?
The kid basketball player starting out with without
COACH should develop both right and left hands equal
dexterity How many SIAC college players of today
shoot ball equally well with the left the right hand?
Relatively few!
So to young wouldbe starters just launching their Ca
the column them to take opportunity
sbe and try to develop the degree of skill in both
hands Learn to shoot pass, drbbe and guard experty
with either and the merry old game of basketball will give
you far more than yon ever dreamed it held i'll store