Commerce High School - Commerce Yearbook (Cleveland, OH)

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ATHLETICS. WHEN school opened on the second Monday of September, the first thought in many minds was, are we going to have a football team? The Faculty deliberated; the Athletic Association scanned every possible phase. After careful study it was decided that we should not have a football team this year. Little material, not much time, and no suitable field for practice were obstacles too powerful to be encountered. The decision was a severe blow to -the Senior Athletes, but as conditions were, it would be impossible to turn out a winning team. School spirit seemed in danger, but as the call for basket-ball candidates arrived the old spirit began to show its usual vigor. The basket-ball team of the High School of Commerce enjoyed a profitable season. Seven of last year’s varsity were back in school, so prospects for a winning team were exceptionally bright. When Coach Evans issued a call for candidates, many aspirants responded, from which he built up the Varsity. The team was composed of Captain Weintraub and Broz, forwards. Russon, center, Zak and Lebowitz, guards, while ITilberer and Twitchell filled the utility positions. FACULTY. ' 1A HE first test of the season came when the varsity was pitted against a team composed of Faculty and Alumni members. It was played on Thursday, December 19, 1912, when the gym was crowded to its capacity. The game was very interesting and exciting from start to finish. It was the first, time the Faculty had been together this year; they knew they were in for a beating. The addition of George Leopold, however, to the Faculty squad was thought would strengthen them and cause some rivalry. Russon and Broz were the stars for the Varsity, while the good work of Coach Evans and George Leopold deserves mentioning. 77

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LINCOLN. THE first senate game of the season was on January 10. 1913, when Commerce was sent against the quintet representing Lincoln High. Lincoln was one of the schools that Commerce had not beaten in basket ball, consequently, our fellows started to play with a firm determination to trim them. Capt. Weintraub, Russon and Broz caged the ball from all parts of the floor, while the guarding of Zak, Lebowitz. Twitchell and Ililberer speaks for itself, as not a Lincoln man made a basket. The final count was 27 to 0 in favor of Commerce; it was the first shut-out score made in the history of the sport in the local High Schools. OUR next game, Commerce vs. East Tech, was the biggest game of the season, and was witnessed by the largest crowd that ever attended a basket ball contest. Commerce was handicapped by the large gym and by their size compared with the East Tech men; this together with hard luck, caused Commerce its first setback. Team work featured the contest. The game was rough throughout and Commerce drew the short end of a 21 to 13 score. HE third game was with West High, at West, and our team dashed in with vim, determined to win. The game was slow at the start and rather rough. Toward the end of the second half, however, our boys got together and displayed the brand of ball that they were capable of playing, and West found that they had stepped out of their class to play Commerce. By displaying clever teamwork our quintet drew the long end of a 21 to 13 score. Russon and Broz starred by their all-around playing, while Capt. Weintraub showed his ability by making the greater part of the points scored. AST was next met, and Commerce was treated to another surprise. The debating team, representing our school had been defeated a few days before wc journeyed over to East High to play, and we were sure we would even up matters by beating the basket ball team. The game reminded one more of football than of basket ball, the East men playing such a guarding game that it was impossible for our boys to get started. The game was slow throughout, and many shots were missed by the Commerce players. When the scramble was over we found ourselves in losing ground once more. The team was dealt a severe blow at this time by the graduation of Capt. Weintraub and Lebowitz. EAST TECH. WEST. EAST. 7S