The Waterbury Democrat., 1943-03-05
STATE TOURNEY
 GAME AT ARENA INTERESTS FANS
Doctor Advises Coach SchOfield to Stay Home;
 N. London vs Stamford
By JOHN A. CLuNEY

ny JOkAN IA CLUNEL
 From every indication up to press hour today, the Biblical story of the feeding of several thousand people with i've loaves of bread and couple of fish, will seem like Q com- paratively simple feat, compared to the job that confronts the Crosby high school basketball squad ct the New Haven Arena tonight.
 All that Crosby has to do is de- feat a Meriden team that has de- feated 1t twice this season, has been seeded number one team of the Glass "A" division, and thAt, without the services of it's coach Bill Scho- field or the player that beat Bassick of Bridgeport last Monday night, eagle-eye Joe Smith.
 Yet, Crosby knocked of Meriden in the state meet last year and then reached the seni-flnals, when their pre-tournament chances were con- sidered practically mil" Another close analysis of the situation shows that Meriden was Crosby's first op- ponent this season, and at the finish, the Silver City lads were just 2 points in front; later defeating Crosby 40 to 28 ct Merider.
 One Man Team?
 It is supposedly an accepted fact that Meriden is not able to score to any extent, unless It's 6 foot 3 inch center, Jack French is not only "in" the game, but "on" his game, that IS, having 6 good night ct the hoops; and, truth to tell he has had few bad nights this season. Most insiders close to the situation and comparative merits of the two teams, agree that "as French goes so goes Meriden" and that is where Crosby's 6 foot inch Joe Bannon comes bouncing into the photograph.
 Crosby has the spirit, speed and never say die" method of play that has and can win many game: and with Bannon doing q Job on French, such aS he did for three po- riods on the clever Ernie Gomea of Warren Harding; Crosby could beat the standout state team with 0 few points to spare. Bob Reyn- olds is plenty good enough to take care of the other MeridGn scorer, KaSmarczyk and 1t Is just possible that D'Agostino, FaSanelli, Conlon and Kobrin will Do able to score often enough to kepe Crosby in front or at least right in the ball game until the final minute of play.
 Free e-throws are apt to play c very important part in the tusSle, sched- uled for 8 D. m. tonight, and the team to first lose c "key" player on personal fouls will be almost sure to finish on the short end of the score.
 Coach Not We'll
 pr. Daniel Savers advised Couch Bill schoheld, his patient for tho past several days against making the trip to New Haven, as tho coach has not recovered his full strength, due to fever and c throat infection; and would be taking Q heavy gamble on his chances of recovery by going with his team. As Q result, Johnny Thompson. who coached the Crosby lads to victory over BaBsick Will again be in charge, and, after what the team showed him earlier this week, feels that Crosby has better than on outside chance to win the game and provide the top upset Of the tournament, regardless of any" thing that happens thereafter.
 Joe Smith, the blond sub with on eagie-eye for the hoops is suffer: Ing from Wrenched knee that VIII hardly allow him to see any sorv- lce tonight; while co.Captain Jocko Conlon has returned to action: but "fayors" c sprained ankle suffered two weeks ago. All In oil, Crosby is really up agains i~ but no worse of than they were last Monday when they came through 4l-40 in the final 30 seconds of play, Smith making good two free throws after being Injured,
 Stamford the pre.tourrey "darE horse" meets Waterbury Billy O'Brlen's New London Bulkeley squad in the second Arena game to- night at 0:ib D. m. after tho Crosby Meriden tussle.