The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-03-02
Reviews and Previews

Reviews and reviews:
 have oftsn wondered if the has- ketball player or better stlll the whole team is thinking in terms of figures when they stand at the free sho line and with infinite care pre- pare to toss in charity point. And have come to the conclusion that most of them do not. Little do they realize that 1t might be that point or these two points which will clinch the game for their team or school. Because If they did I think that lot more time and care would be spent in striving for perfection of this shot that often pays big divi- dends. AS an example of this one has only to look at the vital statis- tics of the Leavenworth--BWkley game at the Payne Whitney gym the other night which the Hartford lads won by one point, 39 to 38. But going still deeper into these statis- ties one finds out that the upstate team won by one point from the free shot line. Both teams had good re- cords from the free shot line but there was room for improvement by both, Tech completing 10 out of l5 charity shots while the Insurance City lads popped IS out of 20. There was a five point leeway for both teams If they wanted perfection. We wjil admit that these records are better than these of lot of profess sional teams but comparing your- self to someone else will not lessen the bangs of defeat of losing by one or two points. Tech played a won- derful baI game and we give them credit for 1t but we do want to em- phasize the fact that more time should be spent in the perfection of the foul shot. Because 1t is scme- times this free shot that will win the ball game for your side. This should be considered one of the fundamen- tals of basketball and treated as such.
 Girls in basketball! Girls in any sport for that matterl Many are inclined to look at this as a phe- momentum while others are just not interested. But the fact remains that they are slowly but surely put ting themselves on an equal foot ing with men in the field of sports competition. This is not necessarily true in all sports but 1t is in evidence especially in basketball. Prior to the war participation in sports by wom- en was net too popular or perhaps I should say not too wide spread, but this was one of the many changes that the war brought about. Women were put on an equal foot ing with men financially when they were asked to go to work and lately they have takVl to athletics in big way as can be evidenced in this city by the formation of the Girls I. R. A. basketball loop. And for still younger girls the Girls Club offers many opportunities for participation in Q diversified program of sports. Women may never reach the stage where they can equal man in such sports as baseball, basketball and football but never let 1t be said that they won't be able to give him some pretty stiff competition. This am bition on the part of the gals may have come in with the war but won't necessarily go out with the peace.
 sPoRTs 'sHoRTs
 Sports Shorts
 The election of Bill Derwin of the Park Dept. as president of the Ali- Amreican Amateur Baseball Asso- ciation at their annual meeting in Baltimore was a step in the right direction for our able bodied recrea- ton supervisor. Bill, although he has not expressed 1t too-openly in the past was very much in favcr of some sort of national, regional and state competition for boys of high school age and younger Now MT. Derwin Is in a position to carry out some of his plans; just watch his steam. Best of luck to you, Bill, in turning an old ambition into a reality.
 Orchids, of I may borrow Walter Winchels pet phrase) to Bill Tracy and his Tech Tigers on their fine showing all season and their post season showing against Hartford
 
 tainly earned their laurels their first year in the Naugatuck Valley league competition. The brilliant playing of Joe Eiduks, may be singled out as an example of the caliber of the LeavenWorth squad. Orchids to a team; orchids to coach on job well done; a team that can proudly take It's place with Crosby and Wilby at the top of the list as the Brass City's big three in sports competi- ton.
 Unofficial sources have 1t that Boo Chuck" Johnson, captain of the Crosby football squad and hurler on the baseball team who was to have left for Ithica, New York last February to start training with the Pittsburgh Pirates farm team. will enter the armed forces before the baseball season makes Its debut once again. The young lad who did quite a good job of hurling for the Blue and White last season rejected the baseball often after much last minute consideration.
 Rated as Al for doing Q stand out job at his forward post on the Crosby basketball squad during the latter part of last season Johnny "Ace" Reardon, will also give base ball Q whirl. The husky six foot athlete who has excelled at football and basketball for the past few seasons Is equally as agile at base- ball. So 1t would be wise to keep your eye on Johnny Reardon.
 This department predicts that Ike Williams will outpoint Willie Joyce when the l35 pounders battle 1t out in a l2 round 90 at Madison