Western High School - Concept Yearbook (Auburn, MI)

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.11 Boys' Basket Ball This year has seen Western high advanced into the front ranks of basket ball, for although not victorious in every game, the majority were won. The school can look back at the best record ever made by a team representing the cowboys. Practice began as soon as the football season was over, 21 men turning out at the first call. After six weeks of steady grinding, Coach Morris picked the iive to represent Western. The team worked hard at every practice, being forced to extend themselves by the second team and worked harder in every game, as some of the teams played were the best in the state. Although out- classed on two occasions, due chiefiy to strange floors and playing outside of High school circles, yet the team put up a game fight and never lacked the spirit necessary to win. ' We had no stars on the team, but we can boast of having five players who worked together every minute. By each one losing sight of individual glory and all playing for the good of the whole, we developed a set of team plays that seldom failed to baffle our opponents, Anderson at center usually out-jumped his man, thus starting the team plays, and this aided greatly by intercepting passes and breaking up the combination plays of our opponents. Thomas had that basket ball instinct which enables him to make up by head work what he lacked in speed. He had a clever way of streaking along the sides of the court to our basket, where he would receive the ball and drop it through. Phillips, though short, seldom allowed his man a basket. His accurate passing and bull dog tenacity makes him a valuable player at forward. Neil was aggressive, good on defense and had a peculiar way of throwingthe ball backward into the basket while at top speed, which could not be blocked by any one of his guards. , Nelson, the speed boy, was all over the fioor like a flash. He could shoot from any position and could always be counted on for several field plays. Royal was a wonder worker, always tending to business and seldom missed the basket when he got an open shot. Coach Morris was always on the job, never missing a practice, and continually urging the players on, never giving up a game until the last whistle blew. Then he would say: Never mind, we'll get them next time. Following the final practice, the team showed their appreciation for the services of Coach Morris, in a very material way, by presenting him with a handsomely engraved gold watch fob. Western's enthusiasm reached its height this season, and the team always played to crowded houses. The deafening yells and continual rooting showed the team that the school was back of it. , Team-Forwards, Neil, Nelson, Royalg center, and Phillips. Anderson: guards, Thomas Western 22 West Branch. . . . . .13 Western 31-Ypsilanti Normal. . .65 Western 33-Midland .... . . .11 Western 28+Midland ......... .17 Western 24-Eastern ...... .. .33 Western 49-Alma . . . . . . . . .23 Western 12 Mt. Pleasant 40 Western 18-Arthur Hill . . .... 30 Western 29-Alma .... . .... . . .14 VVestern 36-Mt. Pleasant .... . .34 Western 37-Arthur Hill ...,... 27 Western 23-Eastern . . . . . .30 Total for Western, 342.3 total for Opponents, 337. Average per game, 285 per cent.

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Conch Morris Phillips, Neal, Nelson, Royal, Thomas, Anderson.

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