The Waterbury Democrat., 1946-03-08
Bits About Basketball
RY JOHN A. CLUNEY

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New Haven was Mike Conlan, su-
perintendent OF building ct wildly
High School, and q close friends o.
Coach Tommy Monahan OF Bristol
for more than 20 years, II just
knew they would do IT, Mike said
"for Tommy has been q great man
when the chips were down, and
his teams have made the finals ten
times In the state championship
play"
Long Island Pros, q clever squad
OF New York basketballers who
were good enough 10 defeat the
Waterbury Guards last Sunday
night, BB-4S, have been signed by
Manager Tom Wagner for o re-
turn engagement next Sunday
night; thus insuring another fine
performance, after last evenings
Rens- Guards duel which ended
0S-S0 In favor Of the famous New
York colored court combine.
incidentally, more than l,lO0
paid admissions were checked ofs
for the Rens- Guards game, despite
g rainy night; many Of the crowd
interested in the Leavenworth-Hill-
house game at New Haven; while
watching q great exhibition Of has.
ketball by the two professional out
flts on the big armory surface,
Most local followers OF the
Leavenworth game, at and absent
were more than surprised when
Tech center, Connie Santagotta
was unable to score q field goal
In the all-iinportant semi-flnal
test, though the Japanese-Ameri-
can standout Of Hillhouse, Sammy
Nakaso also had no field goals to
his credit.
Most basketball coaches through.
out the Naugatuck Valley are
agreed that Leavenworth's Santa.
gotta and Torrlngton's Sweykosk
were the outstanding pivot players
of the circuit this season and have
named one or the other on tlleil
valley" team selections which will
be shown in The Democrat within
the next few days.
Immaculate Conception players,
Coach Eddie O'Donnell and C.Y.O.
league director, Rev. Philip Hus-
sey, were chagrined q bit to
lose an important game to st.
Francis Of Naugatuck, by two
free-throws In the final three Sec
onds Of play last night at the
State Armory.
Pro hoop fans were generally
agreed that the Rens' Sonny Woods
Is one Of the fastest floor men and
best shots they have seen in some
time; while the Guards Herbie
Blum is gaining added popularity
with each game. His field goa
from IS feet out, just as the timers
whistle sounded for the first hall
last night was lone for the book.
while the new addition to the
Guards, big Joe Bancroft at center
win aid q great deal Sunday night.
when ne tangles with the Long Is
land clubs Johnny Swersli.
Bristol's. big boy Boyko. half
dead With . heavy cold, according
to reports most Of the week. came
10 life enough TO score 10 points
against Harding Last night, the
third best effort Of any player OF
both teams.
US. Rubber Of Naugatnck, though
eliminated from the Ira. cham
plonship basketball photograph
this season, since losing 10 Scoyiil
last Wednesday, are not ct all
satisfied that the Purple Knights
Of Naugatuck, winners OF 4 three
game series with the zephyrs are
the borough champions. AFTER al,
we are In Naugatnck. too" said a
Ue.R. spokesman but we can't
set the Knights 70 meet AS for one
game or 4 series" Under the condi-
tlona, the PIX club can hardly
claim the borough title. what say
you Marty
the star inflelder received a hoost
ns.ssr. a. asa mMa A.. usn.na1ms.A -. smaa