The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1943-02-26
TEAMS WILL NOT
H AVE TO PLAY.
in HARDING GYM.
Swaffield, Trask Hope to
Prevent Withdrawals
From State Meet
BY JOHN A. CLUNEY
SpOrts Editor

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Crosby and Torrington High school
athletic authorities have made very
legitimate protests Of the "assign-
n1ent" Of their teams to play state
basketball tournament games at the
Warren Harding gym In Bridgeport;
Harold w. Swaffield, principal Of
Fairfield High school; president Of
the Connecticut InterScholastic
Conference and chairman Of its
tournament committee spent con-
siderable time this morning with
Irving z. TraSk, principal Of Plain
vile High school and director Of the
state tournament In an effort to
satisfy the Torrington and Crosby
coaches, who have given definite
notice that their teams would be
withdrawn from the tournament II
they were forced to accept the
Bridgeport gym as q playing site;
as all other class A games will be
played at the New Haven Arena.
Mr.. Swaffield expected that the
matter would be ironed out by noon
time today, meaning unquestion-
ably that the Crosby and Torrington
teams will be given a chance to
play at the Arena, scene Of all
other playdowns, semi finals, and
the final game where the 1943 hoop
honors will be decided. II the mat
ter Is not handled that way, Crosby
and Torrington are definitely with
drawn from the tournament; ac-
cording to word this morning from
coaches Bill Schofield and Connie
Donahue.
Long Trips
Aside from the fact that the
Bridgeport gym In SO miles one way
from Torrington: and about 81
miles one way from Waterbury; the
opponents drawn for Crosby and
Torrington are the two Bridgeport
district teams, Fairfield VS.. Torring-
ton: and BaSsick VS.. Crosby. Be-
cause Of the transportation prob
lem, Waterbury and Torrington fans
would find the situation almost RI
diculous as far as getting to see
the two games Is concerned.
The Harding gym was assigned"
for the game by Mr.. Trask; not
drawn for, as were the opponents
yesterday afternoon in New Haven.
Obviously, again, the assignment
was made with the idea in mind OF
which location would be apt to
bring in the largest box-office re-
turns; as two Bridgeport teams
playing In Bridgeport against "for.
eign" opponents; would be apt to
attract quite a Park City crowd,
which would not have to travel
more than bus fare, at most, to |
see the double-header. Torring-
toms squad and fans would have
to make 100 mile round trip; CroS-
by squad and fans 65 miles and
last, but not least they would have
to use regular buses, usually
crowded by war workers and shop
pers, to get to the scene Of the
meet.
incidentally, the Connecticut In
terscholastic Conference Is supposed
ly organized for the good Of the
boys" not as a money hungry Or
ganiZation, which Its present and
latest action indicates 1t to be.
Pigeon HOled?
Another incident that has q bear
ing on the general situation and
state tournament. Is the Naugatuck
protest Of the victory" by Warren
Harding, whose timer allegedly lent
hand In favor of the Bridgeport
at Harding gym two weeks ago.
squad; in game with Naugatuck
Pete Foley, Naugatuck coach, Off
cially protested the game before it
was over to Referee Charley Pc
trino; claiming Naugatuck was be-
ing cheated by the Harding time
keeper. One week ago Friday two
weeks today, Mr.. Foley protested
the matter to Mr.. Prendergast,
principal of Ansonia High school,
and president Of the Naugatuck
Valley Conference.
The result Of the protest to date
Is as follows:
When he received Mr.. Foley's pro-
test Of the Harding game, Mr..
Prendergast, called the matter to
the attention of Frank j. Mckee,
principal Of Harding High school.
The latter, who happened to be a
spectator at the game in question,
wrote a letter stating that, within
his hearing the matter was strictly
q difference OF opinion between the
Harding and Naugatuck timers, as
to how much time was left to play.
One said II seconds: the other said
seconds; and Mr.. Petrino, the
referee, accepted tho opinion OF the
Naugatuck timekeeper. Harding won
the game In the last minute Of ac-
ton.
Mr.. McKees letter differs COM
pletely from Mr.. Foley's claim that
he played the remainder of the
game under protest: as the Nauga-
tuck coach had 1een notified tw'ne
by his timer, that the Naugatuck
team was getting the worst OF the
timing by the Harding timer. Mr..
McKee's letter states Mr.. Foley did
not protest the game, adding that
ell Of the incident took place with.
In his hearing.
To Demand Action
This morning. Mr., Foley said he
n0siflvelV would "follow through"
with his protest. demand q hearing
q he charges, which DO not affect
Ehe state tournament IA any way.
az Naugatnek, defending stats and
NeV England champ ems. are not
enleged this year: but TogTlngton
gains q Ne Tor the Nauaaiuck vals
ley championship y TIE protest e
allaWed, . Feplay ordered and Nnas
Ralnek won. However, the enanees
q Enlsy setting 9 hsaIlns e nls