Evening star., 1949-03-23
Eeerick, Sco|ari
Lost for Game
In QuakerC
Morale High in Spite
Of Handicap; PIoy
Here Tomorrow
; By Bill Fuchs
By Bill Fuchs
Stur Sfoff Corrsspondsnf

PHILADELPHIA, Mar. 23.-The
injury -riddled Caps rolled into
this city today with a surprisingly
optimistic attitude toward their
battle with the Philadelphia War;
riors in the opening round of the
Basket Ball Association of
America playoffs. The Caps and
Warriors collide in the first of
the best two-out-of- three series
tonight, return to Washington for
the second game tomorrow night
and play the third-if necessary
| in Washington Saturday.
But reports that Bob Feerick
and Fred Scolari. the Caps two
/ injured stars-would be available
for the playoffs, appear to have
exaggerated. Feerick still was on
crutches today. hobbling along on
a stiff knee. injured in the third
last game of the regular season
against Minneapolis. Scolari's
middle finger, broken in practice,
is healing, but still is too stiff to
be used. It's the middle finger in
his right hand and the one he
uses to spin the ball toward the
basket.
Caps Spirit Is High.
But in spite of the loss Of two
|of their top point-getters, the
Caps still figure themselves a good
bet to knock the Warriors out OF
the tourney.
THE spirit on the club is high"
says Coach Red Auerbach. THE
boys think we have a good chance
to win and so do I. OF course
it's going to be rough and it all
depends on few men.
I'm depending on Bones Nc
Kinney and Kleggie Hermsen to
get the ball of the backboards and
on Jack Nichols to be rough and
score a lot Of points. I'm also
looking for Sonny Hertzberg and
Matt Zunic to get their share of
points. With Feerick and Scolari
out we have lot of points to get
back"
Auerbach plans to use McKin-
ney. Nichols, Hermsen and Hertz
berg to start tonights game. The
fifth man probably will be either
Zunic or Dick Schulz.
The man. however, who could
make the big difference and will
be counted on when the chips are
down is John Norlander. Nor
lander. who with Feerick, Scolari
and Mckinney was a member of
the Caps initial club of two years
ago. is an accurate shot from any
angle and q rough man on de-
fense.
Money Angle Important.
Another thing giving Auerbach
a lift is the fact that the squad
figures to make college try"
what with Feerick and Scolari on
the bench.
Then there's the money angle.
The Caps picked up $4,000 for
finishing first in the Eastern
Division. They can make an ad-
ditional $4,000 by beating Phila-
delphia. The loser gets $4,000.
BY winning over the Warriors the
Caps would advance to Series B,
where they would face the winner
of the New York Baltimore play
of. The winner of Series B
receives $4,000 the loser $500.
The final series-between the
survivors Of each divisions
worth $500 to the winner and
$500 to the loser.
Counting the $4,000 they made
in winning the Eastern crown, the
Caps can pocket $4,000 by win
ming the league championship.
Against Philadelphia the Caps
must watch Joe Fulks, the leagues S
second high scorer and Ed
Sadowski. the 6-foot 5-inch, 225-
FOUNDER from Seton Hall. And
there also are Angelo Musi, George
Senesky and Howl Dallmar.
It's going to be rough, says
Auerbach, but the Caps feel up
to it. Only one thing to do-wait
and see.
The game will be broadcast
over Station WWDC beginning at
10 pm. with Ray Morgan at the
mike.
Evhihi+ion RneohnII