Basketball

Evening Star, Issue 23325, 22 July 1939, Page 12 (Supplement)

Basketball

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All those interested in basketball are asked to forward items of interest for insertion in this column. Ail contributions must be forwarded to “ Defence,” care of ‘ Evening Star ’ Office, not later than Monday of each week. Fixtures. July 22.—Second grade tournaments. July 29.—Third grade tournament. August s.—Otago B grade v. .North Otago, at Oarnaru; Otago C grade v. North Otago li. August 12.—Otago v. Southland, at Dunedin; Otago B grade v. Southland B grade; Otago C grade v. South Otago. August 22-2(i.—New Zealand tournament, at iuvereargill. September 2.—Otago C grade v. West Otago, at Tapanui. September 9—Fourth and fifth grade tournaments. Miss I. W. Knight, the treasurer of the association, reminds clubs that affiliation fees are now due. Will secretaries please forward these to 3 Heriot Row. or leave them at the Y.W.C.A. Annual First Grade Tournament. The annual first grade tournament, held in the Drill Hall last Saturday, was a great success, especially from the playing point of view as so many of the games were closely contested by the competing teams and many unexpected victories eventuated. The teams gaining the lowest positions on the championship table. University IT.. Albany 11.. and Otago Girls’ High School played bright open basketball throughout and consistently offered stern opposition to the opposing sides so that actually no game could ho claimed as being uninteresting. Albany I. js to be; congratulated on again

gaining possession of the tournament banner.

_ The following tables show the positions of the teams at the close of the day’s play:—

The following are accounts of some of the games played:— Roslyn v. Training College.—Roslyn played a dashing game in the first round to defeat Training College by 9 goals to 4. The Roslyn centres played excellently and fed their forwards generously. The latter showed splendid combination, speedier footwork and accurate shooting, so that the scores mounted steadily. The defenders, too, kept a close watch on their opponent’s wonk. Training College, on the other hand, appeared to bo lethargic ami did not appear to be able to strike form. Their usual speed was lacking. Albany I. v J. R. M'Kenzie’s.—The game between Albany I. and J. R. M'Kenzie’s was filled with excitement. J. R. M'Kenzie’s struck form from the opening whistle and quickly registered a score, two others being added before the opponents found the ring M'Kenzie’s dominated the play throughput the fijst half and it was not until after the change-over that Albany appeared to have a fighting chance for victory. When the scores reached six all. excitement pervaded the court. A bright interception on the part of Albany’s centre cave the forwards possession, the resulting goal giving the team the victory.

O.G.H.S. v. Albany 11.—The game between Albany IT. and O.G.H.S. proved very enjoyable, with Albany IT. holding a slight advantage in scoring

throughout. O.G.H.S. failed round the goal mouth, otherwise their play was of first-class order. The forwards very often forgot to make allowances for the long reach of B. Boffney’s arms, and consequently lost possession of the ball. B. Gofiney played excellently throughout the tournament. The final score was 3-2 in Albany ll.’s favour. University I. v. Y.W.C.A.—University changed the regular positions of its players, and the defenders, playing in the forward third, got in some fine shots at goal. Joyce Clayton and M. Thompson played together in the defence, combining well, but were outplayed by the two Y.W.C.A. forwards, who again played outstandingly. The final score was 5-4 in Y.W.C.A.’s favour. O.G.H.S. v. Y.W.C.A. —The game between 0.G.1f.S and Y.W.C.A. was a fine exhibition of good, fast basketball. The positional play was good in both teams, and the centres were evenly nitacbed. Spectacular interceptions by B. Madigan and beautiful handling <>f the ball by J. Roydiiouse were features of the game; 10-7 in favour of Y.W.C.A. was the final result. Albany I. v. Y.W.C.A.

The game between Albany 1. and Y.W.C.A. was fast and open, with Albany enjoying slightly the better of the play in the first spell, but in the second half Y.W.C.A. struck form ami played strongly throughout. D. Adams (Albany) was the outstanding player on the field. Strong combined play by the Y.W.C.A. defenders kept Albany from scoring too freely. The final score was 9-5 in Albany’s favour.

Kiwi v. Albany ll.—The game between Kiwi and Albany 11. was marked by very low scoring, only three goals being registered throughout. The accuracy of the forwards was certainly missing, but the real contributing cause was the splendid defensive work of the two defence thirds. The centres were evenly matched, ami bright interchanges were witnessed between them. The final snore was Kiwi 2. Albanv 11. 1.

University 1. v. Training College.— The University 1.-Training College game witnessed speedy play by both

teams, with College centres dominating play for most of the game. Sound defence by University kept College’s scoring down considerably, while J. Clayton (University) played a starling game in face of the strong College defence. The final score was 8-4 in College’s favour.

J. It. M'Kenzie’s v. Y.W.C.A.—The game between J. R. M'Kenzie's and Y.W.C.A. was very quick and even, the accurate shooting of M. Morrison (J. It. M’Kenzie’s) being a feature of the play. Sheer determination of this latter team carried it through to victory, the final score being M'Kenzie’s 7, Y.W.C.A. 5.

Albany 11. v. University ll.—One of the most enjoyable games in the tournament was played between Albany JL. and University IT. Both teams showed an excellent knowledge of team tactics, and many enterprising combined movements were noticed. Splendid defensive work broke up many promising attacking movements, with consequent slowscoring. The (iuni score was 3 all. Kiwi v. lloslyn.—The game between Kiwi and lloslyn was one of the exciting games of the tournament. It began with a beautiful passing movement by lloslyn, who opened the score with a" clean shot at goal. Kiwi retaliated, but were unfortunate in not converting. Even up-and-down play resulted in halftime being called with the score standing at 3-2 in favour of lloslyn. The second half was also closely contested, strong defence matching clever forward play. The scores this half were reversed, lloslyn scoring two and Kiwi three, making tho score 5 all at the call of time.

Albany I. v. University I.—Tho game between Albany 1. and University I. was not as fast as was expected, and was marred by fumbling of the ball. Tho three Albany forwards were again outstanding, their field work being clever and spectacular. The final score was 10-3 in favour of Albany I. Y.W.C.A. v. University ll.—Playing one short, Y.W.C.A. proved stronger Ilian their opponents, who, nevertheh-ss, played an attractive game. Tho University attacks combined well and kept tho Y.'U'.C.A. defence on their toes.

M. Miller in particular being very agile. The final score was: Y.W.C.A. (J. University 11. 4. Training College I. v. Albany I.— The Training College 1.-Albany I. game provided one of the highlights of the tournament. Training College gave a, bri 1 lailit display, and the united efforts of the nine players resulted in a win (score, 10 goals to ~>) being registered. Their usual speed, which hud been lacking in their earlier games, was noticeable in this encounter. Jkobcl Locke was outstanding in the forward third, but the three players combined excellently. Tiio Albany I. forwards produced many brilliant movements, but their shooting was not as accurate as was desired. Interpretation of Rules. The New Zealand Ilnlcs Committee lias added the following to tho addition to section VI. Ob, in the rules book which was forwarded to the local association earlier in the year (the addition being: “ If after an unsuccessful shot at goal tho ball does not touch tho goal post, but remains inside tho court, it shall be thrown in by an opponent from any point along the goal-line within the radius of tho goal circle and on either side of the goal post ”) :■—“ Except that if the ball is caught by a defender. the tbrow-in shall be taken at the spot to be indicated by the referee, at right angles from where the ball was caught.” Defending players should therefore endeavour to refrain from touching the ball until it reaches the ground.

Connie hud a sndcloii fear flint she 'vas going to soh. Slic bit fiercely into her lip, spread helpless hands. “ Please, Dan I” she ilung out. “ That’s the wav it is, and I can’t help it! Do you have to make things harder for me by—by digging up the past?” Dan Tolly stared at her in amazement. Tlis lean, face lost colour, and his lips parted. They were near the corral fence, with saddled horses ready behind them. ‘ And Connie, watching Dan’s dismay, knew her first real pang of regret for having come to his “ dude ” ranch. Ho stammered: “But, Connie, you don’t understand. I—l’ve been sort of building my whole life on the idea that I was going to marry you. I thought you knew how I felt.”

“ I {lid,” she admitted miserably. “ But I can’t help it, Dan, if everything's changed.” “ Not with me,” ho objected, still stunned. “ I’ve been in love with you as far back as I can remember—even when we were kids—and it’s the same to-day. Worse, if anything.” In bewilderment that he simply could not shake off, he waved to the ranch house, to the barns, to the rolling green range about him. “ Why, I even started this dude ranch with you in mind. It was tlie quickest way I could see of making money. And it panned out nicely, Connie. By next year I’ll have another ranch down in Nevada. Together they’ll pay enough to keep us going. Not in luxury, maybe, but we won’t starve, either. I kind of figured I was just about ready to ask you—” He stopped. Connie had to turn away abruptly, so that he wouldn’t discover the tears that blurred her eyes. She had never seen Dan Tolly look so miserably helpless. Gazing toward distant blue mountains, she knew that the wretchedness in his voice was justified. She had loved him. No doubt about that. She had loved him even when she’d gone to New York. And though she had felt at the time that few months in the East would relieve the monotony of year after year on the range, there had always lurked in the back of her mind the knowledge that some day she would return to Dan Tolly. Only she hadn’t counted on meeting Dr Gould.

“ Look,” Dan said huskily, and now there was a prayer in his eyes. “ Have you already promised Dr. Gould.” She nodded.

The gesture hit him like a fist. Jn a voice that was almost a groan, he asked: “But, why, Connie. 9 Why?” “ Why does one promise to marry a man?” she asked bitterly. “ I—l love him.”

Dan Tolly looked as if he would have liked to lean against the corral fence. But he didn’t. He said: “ Gosh. Connie, you—you’ve taken the wind out of me.” He sent a distracted glance toward the ranch house, from which Dr Peter Gould ought at any moment to emerge. Then he added: “I don’t get it, Connie. I don’t get it at all. It just doesn’t seem —possible.” “ Why?” she demanded, with a touch of resentment. “Is there anything strange in my having fallen in love?”

As though he hadn’t even heard her, Dan went on: “I can see you admiring a man like Dr Gould. Sure. That would be natural. From what I hear, he’s rich and he’s important and he’s sure good looking. But, on the other hand—damn it, Connie, he’s old enough to be your father!”

“ Not quite.” She forced herself to talk coldly. “ He’s just forty.” “ And you’re nineteen!”

Dan Tolly drew olf his sombrero to reyeal dishevelled red hair, wiped a checkered sleeve across his perspiring forehead, and shook his head as if he could not hope to cope with Connie Lawson’s arguments. She said with sudden briskness: “1 may as well tell you the whole of it, Dan. When I went to New York I needed a job badly. 1 found one, afterweeks of trying, with Dr Gould. As his secretary. That gave me plenty of opportunity to see the remarkable work he’s doing. The—the papers called him a great humanitarian, and they’re right.” Dan smiled vaguely. “Go on. You may as well let me have it,” he muttered. “ What’s great about him?” “ Outside of being one of the most successful physicians in Now York, he runs a clinic of his own that—that’s as beautiful a thing as I’ve ever seen. It’s a charity institution. He never gets a cent out of it. Yet he treats hundreds of patients every year. God knows how many lives he’s saved. I’vo known him to go without sleep for two days and two nights, just sitting up with some old woman who—who’d never be able to pay him a cent.”

Dan mumbled: “ Well, that’s fine. I repeat, 1 can see how you’d admire a man like that. But as for falling in love with him —marrying him ” “Please, Dan, let’s drop it!” If Connie spoke hurriedly and in some embarrassment, it was because Dr Peter Gould was just descending the porch steps. Tall, powerfully built, bis dark face undeniably handsome, he came toward the corral quickly, swishing a riding crop against his yellow hoots. He bad been outfitted in tho East, and he looked, Dan Tolly thought glumly, like a model about to "be photographed for a man’s fashion advertisement. Dan glanced down at bis own old dungarees, and a mirthless clmcldo broke from him. 11 1 guess I’ll let yon and the Doc rido alone,” he muttered. "No use my—my going along. Just spoil the party.” “No, Dan!” Connie pleaded in a whisper. “ Don’t back out on ran now! I—l want you to come along.” “ You do? ” dubiously. “ You promised to ride 1o Morgan’s Peak, didn’t you? I don’t want to have to make explanations about your staying behind, especially now that you’ve got your horse saddled. Please come! ”

Dan hesitated. Ho sent a glance from Connie, chestnut haired and lovelier

than over in her brown riding breeches, to the oncoming Dr Gould. And then, his face going grim, ho snapped: “All right. I’ll ride. It ought to make a merry party, just tho three of us! ”

All day, loping through glorious hot sunshine, they followed trails—sometimes across plains, but more often through shady forests—that would lead them to Morgan’s Peak, 18 miles away. Their lunch was strapped to their cantlos, and at noon they ate beside a singing mountain stream. Dan Tolly usually rode ahead, alone. Ho frowned a great deal, Connie saw in some vexation, and be was in no mood to talk. Dr Gould, however, kept her busy enough. Bouncing along at her side, he found the country glorious.

“It’s the first time I’ve bad a holiday for years,” he confided. “ You know, Connie, I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your having suggested this. I never _ thought a dude ranch could he so delightful.” With troubled eyes fixed on Dan Tolly’s hack, she murmured absently: “ I—l knew you’d like it.” She hardly realised she had spoken. She was thinking that she hadn’t meant to hurt Dan. The thought .stung her and pained. “ And somehow,” Dr Gould went on with a chuckle, “ you seem to fit perfectly against these backgrounds of mountains and forests. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you look so beautiful in New York. Riding togs and that fivegallon hat—they do things for you, Connie.”

“ Thanks,” she said l a bit emptily. He chatted on and on, and the longer she listened to him the angrier Connie felt against Dan Tolly. Why couldn’t he come back here and join them ? Why dull he have to ride ahead like—like a hermit P

She had always liked him, she told herself. Of course she had. But this matter with Peter Gould—this was different. She had never felt quite so dazed as, on the day, when, unexpectedly, he had asked her to marry him. Dr Peter Gould!, who might have has his pick of any of a hundred glamorous New York women—Dr Peter Gould, whom everyone she met in New York commended for his magnificent humanitarian work. It was stupefying, oven now, to realise that in a few weeks she would be Mrs Peter Gould.

And she continued to think of this until Dr Gould’s mount stumbled, fell to its knees.

Instantly the horse rose—a powerful grey mare—lifted its head, and went on valiantly. But lOydis farther it collapsed again, throwing the doctor into a clump of bush. Ho jumped) up, staring, aghast, wiping dust from his whipcord breeches. “ What on earth! ” he said.

Dan Tolly, galloping back, swung out of his saddle, and dropped to his knees in dismay. He gaped at the heaving mare a while, then gasped: “ Holy smoke—it’s colic! ” “ Colic? ” blurted Connie, stunned. “ Why—this is the first time I’ve ever seen a—”

“They don’t get it often,’’ snapped Dan. “ But when they do, it’s apt to be fatal! ” His face, she saw, had become grey and drawn. He knelt beside the mare, loosened the latigo, yanked off the saddle. “ We’re going to have quite a job on our handJs,” he whispered. “ Only thing to do with a horse when it develops colic is to keep it moving.” It was almost twilight, and they were still some 1G miles from the dude ranch. As darkness settled over the hills Dan began to urge the mare to its feet. “Come onl ” he cried, “Upl Up!”

He propped his shoulder against the horse and pushed with all his strength. The mare fought valiantly to lift herself. Connie Lawson, on sudden impulse, sank to her knees beside Dan and helped to boost.

Somehow they got the horse up. It was shivering pitifully. Its eyes were bloodshot and froth dripped from its open mouth. Dan began to lead it on slowly, uttering words of encouragement. But (presently the mare collapsed again. It was dark now.

Dr Gould began to glance about uneasily. A moon had risen early, and: in its silvery light ’he discovered that they were in as desolate a spot as they had seen all day. This was the entrance to a black canyon. All around them loomed: stark, barren mountains, Dan, breathless, was fighting to pull the mare to her feet again. Perspiration trickled down his jaws. ” We’ve got to keep her moving! ” ho panted. “ It’s either that or—or she’s a goner! ” Abruptly, to Connie's astonishment. Dr Gould slipped his hand into his pocket and drew out a tiny rerolvcr. It glistened in the moonlight. “ I brought this along,” lie quietly explained, “on the chance that we might meet snakes or something of the sort. X think we might verv well use it on the horse.”

Dan lolly lifted inflamed eyes. ‘No!” he said harshly. “None of that.”

Doctor Gould, arching his brows dryly inquired: “ What’s wrong with a mercy killing? I thought it was the usual thing out here.”

“ If there’s no chance for life, it is. Put I haven’t given up yet.” “ How long do you intend to go on trying to keep that horse moving? ” “All night, if necessary.” Dr Gould’s lips tightened. He glanced at Connie, then looked back at Dan, still fighting to get the horse back on its feet.

“ See here, you can’t mean that. We can’t keep Miss Lawson out all night.” “If it means this horse’s life,” grated Dan. “she’ll be out all night—and all day to-morrow, too. Come on, lend a hand! ”

With the three of them shoving, boosting, and pulling, they got the mare to her logsagain. She was shivering more horribly than ever. Dan, soaked with perspiration despite ■ the

night wind, led her back and forth, talking to her as lie might have talked to a child. For 10 minutes she managed to follow'him, and then again she pitched down on her side. Bravely she tried to lift her head. She struggled a few seconds, then lay limp. And Dr Gould again snatched the revolver out of his pocket. “See here, Tolly! ” he rapped out. “ I’ve had enough of this. There isn’ti a chance in the world to keep that horse alive, and you know it.” He stepped forward, squatted, and placed the muzzle of the revolver against the mare’s head. Connie almost screamed.

There was no need of the outcry. She saw Dan’s arm lash out' like a whip, and strike the gun out of tba doctor’s hand. It clattered on gravel 10ft away. “ I’ll tell you when it’s time for that,” Dan drove out furiously “Ai long as I think there’s a chance for Ufa I’m not using a gun! ”

Connie saw that Peter Gould, was very pale. He said nothing, however. Rising stiffly, he retrieved his weapon and thrust it back into his pocket. The next few hours were a nightmare for Connie Lawson. Again and again she helped Dan force the mam to its legs. Always the horse managed to walk for a few moments, only to fall again.

v It was after midnight when Dr Gould decisively produced the gun for the last time.

“ Tolly,” he said, “ you may. be willing to keep Miss Lawson out all night for the sake of a dying horse, but I’m not. I’m going to kill that beast. She and I can ride back double.”

He came forward resolutely. Ha aimed at the horse’s head. This time Dan didn’t reach for the gun. He straightened, and his narrowed eyes blazed straight into Dr Gould’s face. “ Doctor,” ho said quietly, “ if you pull that trigger, I’ll knock, the stuffing out of you. Understand? Put that gun away and let mo handle this. I’ve had horses with the. colic before.” The doctor said coldly: “In that case, we’ll leave you with your horse. Miss Lawson and I will start back for tho ranch.” . “ You can do as you like. I’m stay-' mg.” Glowering, Dan sank back to bis knees and began once more to work on the horse. Connie, watching him, felt Dr Gould touch her arm. “Come,” he said, “you and 1 had better go.” , “ No.” She was startled by her own flat refusal. Somehow she hadn’t quite realised that she was talking. ■ Sba had been thinking. Dr Peter Gould, the great humanitarian ready- to shoot a horse so that we won t have to spend the night outdoors . . . And Dan, no humanitarian at all, willing.to stay and help the mare all night and ail; day, if necessary. ... “Connie,” the doctor was saying, do you realise what time it is?” “What difference does it make?’*! she answered with a rush of anger* “You go ahead if you want to; I’m. staying, Dan is going to need me." Dr Gould didn’t ride off alone. Sullen and forbidding, he sat on a nearby rock.' Once he muttered: “You can have my gun any time you want it. But don’t expect me to help in those futile efforts to keep the creature alive.”

He was, however, quite wrong about the futility of the efforts. All night Connie helped Dan Tolly. And by morning, with both of them exhausted, they witnessed a miracle.

in early sunshine the mare no longer shivered. She even nibbled tentatively at nearby grass. They started lending her homeward, and for two miles she went without so much aa| stumbling. Dan began grinning. Looking over his shoulder at Connie, now mounted, he said : “ It was a tough night, hufc worth it! She’ll be all right now,” Dr Gould had ridden far ahead, alone, his head bent, his face darkened by a frown. He was utterly exhausted and weariness soured his spirits. For a while Connie gazedl at -• hia drooping back. Then ■ she looked down at Dan, leading the sick horse, and an ineffably gentle smile softened tier face. “ Danny,” she whispered, “ I’ro been a fool.”

" You’ve been great,” he retorted, “ The way you helped me all nignt ''

••1 guess i needed a night like that,” sue said quietly. “ You know, Dan Tolly, you're not such a baa humanitarian yourself, come to thin* of it.” " Never mind the medals.”

“Last night it camo to mo that Jj belong on your side of the fence, Daiiuy. I’m part of the West, the way yon axe, 1 guess we’re both closer to horses ami to things we understand than—than lo New York clinics.”

Dan Tolly stopped, staring.up at her; in amazement. Once he sent a swift, bewildered glance at Dr Gould far ahead. Then he looked back at Conuia and whispered: “ Say, you—you’re not tryiu’ to tell me that you’ve changed your mindl” “I didn’t, Danny,” she said, choky ing on the words. “ T guess ' you changed it for me. You and th« horse.” . !

She didn’t know what happened after that. She didn’t care. The only thing that mattered was that Dan Tolly reached up and pulled her out of hep saddle And when Dr Gould looked back a few moments later, the physician drew, rein with a gasp. He stared. He started to shout in outrage, but the cry died in his throat. For he realised that Connie seemed to be enjoying the fact that Dan Tolly was hugging her.

s rt a o $ S C..3 3 O Albany I E PCi Zj 0. 9 8 “T 0 IG Roslyn Training Col9 6 9 2 14 lege 9 (> 3 0 12 Y.W.C.A 9 5 4 1 11 .T R. M'Kenzie’s 9 5 4 () 10 University I. 9 4 .4 1 9 Kiwi 9 3 4 2 8 University II. 9 9 0 1 5 Albnnv If 8 i (i 1 ;j O.G.li.S (3 0 0