New England Enthusiasm for’ ‘Baske t-
ball fraceable to Colorful Rhode
Tsland Team. By Vic Stout. ~ Boston
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It was only-va few yed ars. ago ‘that octane ‘basketball in this
section was pretty much in the dolcrums, seldom paying its own
freight. But today the court game has actually: supplemented hockey
as the No.l winter pastime and colleges all over New England, find-
ing their seating capacities wholly sAoegae are making plans for
bigcer and better gymnasiums,

Elimination of Jump helped somewhat:

Several answers have been advanced for the increased interest
in the bounce and dribble activity. One is the elimination of the
center jump which has made for a. Fa ister and higher scoring game, But,
according to authority Big Ed Kelleher, New England's top-ranking
whistle-tooter, a gentleman by the-name. of Frank Keaney-has been
most responsible for ae revival.

Rhode [Island state bade teans, the last word in color,
have made all of New England baske tball- conscious the past two or
three years," claims. the Cambridge .official. Kelleher. explains that
there is not a team in New England with more crowd appeal than the
Rhode Island Rams,. "hy: every..tine this team plays a basketball game’
hundreds of people become sold on the sport. It's so bad down in
Kingstown now that they: have to: lock the gates at 6:00 o'clock,"

The secret behind Rhodys'success claims Kelleher, is the con-
dition of the players, "You'll not find a better conditioned squad
anywhere, This team has averaged 67 points a game this winter. and
the men maintain a dizzy tempo from the start, having the opposition
bleary-eyed before the half is over, Rhody's motto is "Keep shooting."
And how those boys do shoot! And you should see them travel up and.
down the floor, thy any official will tell you that he runs twice as
much working a Rhode [sland game as he would in any other game,"

 

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