The Detroit tribune. (Detroit, Mich.) 1935-1966, 1946-03-30
Behind The PIay.....
...,ce Big Five Only Negro Club In
Renai.sIros pa sketball Title Tourney
By DON DE LEIGHRUR

World Pro v10RKThe other Sunday night the Renais-
De- p Five played its song for the l945-46 New
York professional b ssore ous
home court engagement of the entire season
the t Dongas' crew because no team had previously
ytended the locals III suoh manner i"e ""'i'''s
eN l was a 80 all tie.
hand March 25 at the Chicago Stadium where they
ne v id for the annual nvtatonal Worlds Profession
holp "lethau Championship Tournament promoted by
a. Az Hannn and the Chicago Herald-Amercan. Save
hso dates the Rens have played Sunday to Sunday
TSav schedule at the Renaissance Casino all winter
VI CO.. tho ninth year have indicated record,
n uycr the pasng they took at the hands of Ed Got
pbila delphia Sphas of the American Basketball
o IN 1914 That would be the sole home court beat
tSe Renaissance have sustained in nine years of hard
ra e court endeavor at their Harlem headquarters
Where il difficult to pin down probaskeball out
- ~, aid record of wins and losses on the frequeunt
d rin il takes il might be added here in the words
i Rob Douglas that the team has lost only four out
f a. plaved this Not having with the boys
- ,bos, iaunts into the hinerandS ! wouldn't be in
osion to dispute the claims, although reports that the
Gens we're beaten here and defeated there have sfted
;rto my office with regular persistence.
Today Douglas is taking of his ame clubs to
tho chicago tournament He has team under his ban
nor NOW that favoraby compares with the great machines
81 other days and the results from the tournament should
90 a long way to prove the assertion.
Incidentally, the Rens expect to be the only Negro
team II this years pro basketball fest II Chicago since
tbe Sapersein is repeatedly taking his famous Harlem
Globetroers (who play out of Chicago and not Of
lIarem) Honolulu. Hawaii. for series of exhibition
headed Sonny Boswell former Globtrotter and Renais
hapshooters is said to hold bid but word that
the Rens are lone aggregation entered.
The Youngstown Bears gave the Rens preview of
what to expect from the topfght white outfits they'll
meet in Chicago With little Rzzo. former Fordham mi
ycrsy flash pacing the attack the white boys the
Rcns for their money throughout the game until the
last three minutes when pot shots by the Rens sandbys.
harley Isles and PIGGY Bell iced away the verdict
Douglas has nodded powerhouse out of Big Hank De-
Zonie center Bell at guard; Dolly King former Long
Island University Blackbrds captain Eddie Younger di-
rnutive Long Island I flash and Pop Gates, veteran
yls VINO returned to the team after years absence
with the Washington Bears only month so ago In
Bell he has of the greatest floor generals of
The day
In DeZonie, he has the height and maneuverabity
u pivot man who is fast rough and tumble and sharp
nough Of eye to make the points that count. King is
nTently playing the brand of basketball that made him
ne sensation of eastern collegiate cage circles back in
99940 Younger is without peer for speed and scor-
ing potentiaes. Gates has the experience of a PIGGY
Bell so has Charley ISLE who altenates his time with the
Eens with the New York police department All told.
y, l. has many reasons for expecting championship
inns yearprovding the RenS get by the Chicago Ameri-
can Bears with their George Mken and the 945 champ
ION Fort Wayne Zollners Douglas has Illusions He
Knows what his boys can and are going to do.