Canisius College - Azuwur Yearbook (Buffalo, NY)

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The next game was played with practically the University of Rochester at Dansville. The 'Varsity surprised its supporters by taking Rochester into camp, 46-35. The following night 'the ' Varsity, fatigued from the longjourney and having. accumulated several injuries from the Rochester game, lined up against the crack 13th Separate Company of Jamestown. Best not to' say too much about it. The- result was 58-18. After this contest the team 'dis- banded and the individual members repaired to their homes for theholidays. After vacation the quint resumed training and gradually rounded into form. Just a.s the team work was nearing-perfection, and the members of the team- had become acquainted with each others style of play, they received a lament- able setback. Leo- E. Bennis, the star center and 'Varsity captain for two years, fell ill with typhoid fever. Much, indeed, was feared, for the team relied greatly on his outjumping his opponent, starting the plays and figuring in their execution. The management was in a dilemma, b-ut immediately set to work to fill the vacancy. Capt. Mahoney succeeded Bennis at center, while Blaum became a regular at forward. TVith odds against them, several mem- bers being injured, the 'Varsity was whipped into shape, and took the measure. of every opposing team. The work in the last few games was simply excel- lent. Large scores were rolled up against strong teams, while small, indeed, were the points secured by the opponents. But three of the regularly scheduled games were lost. Quite a number of exhibition games were played with teams much stronger than the ' Varsity, but its work always elicited much admiration and praise. I ' , - The support given the 'Varsity by the students was loyal, indeed, and the presence of a large number of outsiders who congregated at each contest testif iies to the interest taken ina well-played basketball game. ' v The best of feeling existed 'throughout the season between the 'members, which, no doubt, accounts for the splendid results obtained. There,was no individual playing, but all five worked as a unit. 'i Rlaum at forward, though this was his first year in fast company, proved to be a. very .efficient man. He was a good shot and was always relied upon for his aggressive spirit. Helminiak, as Blaum's running mate, put up a fast game, both on the 'offence and defence. His spectacular goal throwing was the feature of many contests. What aided considerably in the victories this year was the rapid develop- ment of Kempel and McCabe as guards. As the season wore on these men became a tower of strength to their team mates, always working, never lag- ging: they most creditably filled the shoes of Ehrman and lVerder. and won a. bright place in the hearts of the admirers 'of the 'varsitv. Eschrich readily filled the position of guard or forward and could always be depended' upon for consistent work. f Art Rennis, captain of the Reserves, was added to the team and proved, in the games in which -he participated, that ho was of the right caliber. lVith a little more experience Art will prove a valuable candidate for a regular position 'on the 'varsity next year. All possible credit must be tendered Father Murphy for his indofatigable 33

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'Barsitp Jgaskethall Team O. S. MURPHY, S. J ............. , ................... ..... ll Ianager JAS. E. MAI-IONEY .... ....... .... L EE Ptaln JNO. WILLO ........ . . .pbcorer Jos. BLAUM .......... ---- if ,OTWM Jog, HELMINIAK ,,,, ............. 11 orward LEG E, B.ENNIS ,,,,,,, ................. L enter J AS. E. MAI-IONEY . .. .... Center and Forward FRANK G, KEMPEL ................ Guard CHARLES MCCABE ,,,, .............. G uard a ED. J. ESCHRICH .... ---- G Hard- ART. T. BENNIS ............... . . . . . . . . . . .Guard which defeated the 'Varsity 53-31. The next two regular exhibitions were with the Ariel Club. The first one proved a walkaway match, in which the 'varsity lacked the necessary requisites for a winning team, i. e., spirit, team work and good shooting. The second one showed a slight improvement, but, nevertheless, the prospects for a. victorious season seemed to he enveloped by dark clouds. However, the old adage, Every dark cloud has a silver lining, put hope into the hearts of the management, and no stone was left unturned by them in the perfecting of the team. 32

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Zeal in alwmgillg games, the endless trouble to which he subjected himself for the team' s sake and his every ready and kindly word of advice. A At center was found Lee Bennis up till the time Of his illness, when Mahoney, though a forward, played. the position the rest of the season, and it was his energetic Work as captain, his heady, consistent and aggressive playing, his invaluable coaching, his unerring ability in shooting that contributed most to the success of the team. t . Cf the games enumerated below, the most spectacular were with St. Pat- Tickps, St. Stephenrs, Noon Class of C. Y. M. C.. A., Niagara University and the Eldridge Cycle Club of T onawanda. St. Patr1ck7s, a very formidable team, was held to eight points, while in the St. Stephen's contest the visitorswere without a point at the end of the first half, and at the close of the game but four points were announced to their credit. This was the second meeting. The 'first resulted in a victory for the 'Varsity, 19-16, but the St. Stephen's men were so exultant over the fact that they had held the score so close, and that without the services of one of their best men, that they decided to try conclu- sions the second time. Consequently they made their reappearance on the 10th of March, fully determined to lower our colors. Theyscore, 35-5, in favor of the 7Varsity, shows how well-they succeeded. - Another fast contest was held with the Eldredge Club. Basing their opin- ions on the reputation of the visitors, ovoi-yono predicted a close score, but the home team was in such fine shape that basket after basket was rolled in. It was easily seen in this contest that the weak points of the 7 Varsity had been eliminated. Though the score was large 'the contest was well worth witness- ing.. The Tonawanda men played hard and fast, but the lightning-like team work of the 'Varsity proved too formidable to cope with. The victory over Niagara University was the. result of another great strug- -gle. The ifirst half was closely contested, the result being 10-8 in favor o-f Canisius. The second half opened strong on Niagarals part, for they strove might and main to- gain the lead. The excitement became intense, as the Blue and Gold five swung their team work into order and sent the University's chances for victory glimmering. The Purple and lWhite quint strove hard to turn the tide of battle,ab-ut the timekeeperl s whistle soon sounded their death knell. y T ' . ' BBEDYU l 1 NOV- 25, Canisius 31 Exhibition G. Y. M. C. 8 .... 53 UGC- 2, C2fH1S111S 15 A1-iois .................. 41 Dec- 9, G-HUQSULS . . . 43 fPracticej Arionsj ...... .. .. .... . . . . . 13 Dec- 16, Canisius 26 A1-iois ............................... . 36 gee- 20, C3fUlS1US . . . 46 QPontia-isj University' of Rochester. . . . . . 35 T 90- 21, CFLUQSQUS- - . . . 18 Jamestown ............ .. ...... . . . . . . . 58 Tan- gi, Qamsgus 23 Noon oioss go. Y. M. o. AJ .... 14 Ian- 27, fganisius 13 QExhibitionj Y. M. o. A.. ..... 35 an' 1 311232115 . . . 18 Qlijxhibitionj Germans ..... . . . . 6 ECE- .3,CH113S2HS as st.ro.t1-ioks ............ 8 Feb- o gg, ganwws 37 Noon oiass .......... 33 6 . , anisius . . . 50 Masten Park . . . . . . 26 34