The Waterbury Democrat., 1943-03-03
BASSICK BEATEN 41-4O IN FINAL
 MINUTE OF PLAY
Smith Sinks Two Free Throws for Great Win;
 TOrringtOn Wins

In the last minute of scheduled playing time, a Crosby High school basketball team won one of its great est games of this or any other sea- son, when two free-tfrows by an injured player defeated a Bassick High of Bridgeport team 41-40 at the Yale gym last night in the first round of state tournament play. From whistle to whistle, the game was closer than the hands of the clock at half-past six. The blazing finish and ultimate victory for the Waterbury squad, on a totally strange floor and without its coach, provided an emotional shower for a limited assemblage, that will hardly be an experience for another season or two, perhaps never.
 Nick and Tuck
 Briefly, Bassick led i0-8 at the end of the first period of play; Crosby came to the front 22-20 ct half time; Bassick led 36-35 at the end of the third heat; owned a 40-35 edge with les sthan five min utes to play: and lost 1t an the game in the final minute when blonde Joe Smith was on the alert to bat Q Bassick pass into a free ball followed 1t up, tried to shoot, was knocked own, injured; and then, with his team one point be- hind, limped up to the line. and with his team one point behind. Nmped up to the line, and with all sorts of mental pressure on him, made good both free throws to win the ball game by a single point. It was one of those finishes that used to keep young the Frank Merriwell readers pop-eyed with excitement that lasted so long that they would eat their spinach without knowing, or making a "face" of any kind.
 However there was enough glory [ ogo all the way round for a Crosby team that played as unit in charge of Johnny Thompson, with Ugo D'Agostino, Bob Reynolds, and Fasanelli also putting in with court job that was absolutely be. yond reproach. As for large Joe Bannon who lasted the entire game for a change; there was nothing but the best to be said for him; and with the Meriden game and Its Jack French coming up Friday night: whatever success Crosby may attain against the top. seeded team of the tournament, will be undoubtedly due to the job that Bannon is able to do against the tall, high-scoring player from the Silver City, who is the entire nu- cleus of the club coached by Frank Barnikow. Defensively, Bannon, because of his height and long arms, has shown excellent form; and he Is slowly getting away from a kids angle on the game and playing smartly every time out, though his glaring weakness is in making un. necessary personal fouls which handicaps the entire team; breaks up rallies, passes and cause much confusion. Last night, he added seven valuable points to the Crosby total: but it was his floor work that was invaluable.
 Smith, when the result of the yame rested on his young shoulders, was about a to 100 short-ender to score on both tries from the free-throw line especially because of leg injury after he was knocked down trying to score. Yet he did 1t, with all the confidence in the world; as he simply said "IIl make 'em". before he had his chance; then stepped right up to the mark and backed up his boast, with the big. gest and most valuable two points that Crosby team or player has known sirce Alden White reached his Fist birthday.
 Coach Johnny Thompson's reac- tion to the game today was moder- ately pleasant; as he is looking for. ward to the bigger job on Friday night, that of knocking the top geeded Meriden team out of the tour nament: a Meriden team that has twice beaten Crosby this season. in regular competition. Coach Bill Schofleld may be physically able to take over by that time: pending progress after his current illness ard an "o.k." from his physician to leave his home.
 Nine points from IA free throws was another angle of the Crosby win that is all-important. for in a tight" game where every point counts. the foul-shots havs con- tinual significance; with any real good team these days capable of making good 2 of every 10 losses. BasSick came up with an exhibition of ball handling that was some thing to look at, and in Pete Cos tulas. produced player that ac-