The very roars of the crowd give answer to the ques-
tion of whether or not a team of women athletes can
deliver a’ brand of play which will satisfy fans who are
used only to the very best. For many years, in many
parts of the world, the Grads have adequately settled this
question in the minds of sports lovers. Their fiendishness
of attack, their ever-burning speed, their skill, and their
utter sportsmanship have won for them a lasting spot in
the hearts of countless
fans.

In this series the Grads
have perhaps the greatest
handicap in all the years
of their successful ca-
reer. On the very eve of
the series one of their
star players has been se-
riously injured— Miss
‘Mabel Munton, run down
by a car. It has been a
great shock. Miss Mun-
ton isa splendid guard.

Tulsa outweighs the
Edmonton champs by an
average of fifteen pounds,
and outreaches them by
an average of two inches.
The Grads are fighting
with their backs to the
wall. The Tulsans want
this game, too—for they know that if they take it they
stand a strong chance of annexing the next two and the
series.

But the champions have that indomitable spirit which
has brought them to the niche of fame. They likewise
have on the side lines perhaps the greatest coach and
a in the history of competitive sports—J. Percy

age. ee

When interviewed recently, Mr. Page spoke most mod-
estly of his part in the Grads’ successes.

“You see, it’s like this,’’ he said. ‘ Odds seem to offer
us a stimulant which brings out the best that is in us.
When the Grads are up against the heaviest form of
odds, they seem to have a reserve of fighting spirit and
skill that is all the product of close codperation, and
friendly understanding throughout all the years
of school and sports training.”

In the first two games of this series the Grads
just edged out wins. The third is the most
critical game, for the weight and reach of the
Tulsans is beginning to tell. Coach Page nods
to a slender girl on the side lines—Noel Mac-
Donald, the “ rookie ” member of the team, who
is alternating with Miss Fry at center. Facing
them is Miss Williams, the pivot of the Tulsans,
an amazingly fast runner and deadly shot.

At the halfway mark the game is tied, with
+4 Tulsa turning on every atom of pressure.
Miss MacDonald takes the floor and immediately
opens a sizzling Grads attack. Noel whips the
ball to Margaret MacBurney, who ducks the

 

captain, and (right) Mildred

Two more Grad luminaries: Elsie Bennie, guard and former

 

HAROLD F.
CRUICKSHANK
knows sports; he’s a
veteran football and
baseball player and

track athlete.
a World War vet-
eran; was wounded
but served right

The clock is swiftly tolling off precious minutes. Gladys
Fry, smiling regular center of the Grads, is forcing the
play. Tulsa strikes back. The battle is ding-dong, high-
lighted by most amazing plays. 5 a

Coach Page glances quietly at the clock. He nods to
Miss MacDonald, the rookie. The psychological second
has come. The Tulsa star and her flashy associates have
been pressing and have been pressed to the limit of physi-
cal endurance when Coach
Page whips in the rookie
of his team. Once more
there is a sudden spurt of
red. The .Grads are
away. Frantically the
Tulsans attempt to break
up the attack. But there
is no breaking it. — -
[X that terrible, dazzling

combination attack the

champs burn up the floor.
The score is tied.

Miss Williams and Miss
Walker, an aggregate of
295 pounds of physical
fitness, lead a fierce at-
tack. A referee is swept
from the floor. But at
the Grads’ basket Doris
Neale’ and Helen Stone
come into the play with their unmatched checking. The
ball whips to a Grads forward—MacBurney, who streaks
for the Tulsa goal, only to pivot and whir a pass across
to Noel MacDonald.

A breathless crowd sways, and then from thousands of
throats bursts that avalanche of sound which marks the
third straight win for the champs. What a win! What
a series! Final score: Grads 48; Tulsa 41. In a blaze
of glory the Grads have won for the twelfth consecutive
time the international championship.

Thus was notched up for the Grads their 393d official
game in defense of their many trophies and titles—and
their 382d win. What a record for sports statisticians
to chalk up in their books!

The Grads basketball team was first organized twenty
years ago by Mr. Page, who is principal of the
school at which the players have received their
business training. But they begin their bas-
ketball training only after they are graduated
from this school, the Edmonton Commercial
High School. Meanwhile they commence to
play when they first enter school, under Mr.
Page’s direction. There are, in all, four teams
connected with the school. The fourth or se-
nior team is known as the Gradettes, a brilliant
aggregation of champions in their own right.
From this team, coached by W. “ Bill” Tait,
operating under the gerieral supervision of Mr.
Page, the Grads find plenty of excellent material
for their front string.

In 1915 they annexed their first title, the
Alberta Provincial Championship, which they

 

McCormack, official scorer.

Also

Tulsa guards and pivots, lacing a whirring  ‘hreugh. ars — have retained, with the exception of one year—
pass to Doris Neale. Doris dribbles the ball a gp lets Te the ~—-:1920—for twenty years.

few paces, outfoxes a rushing Tulsan, tosses a
pass over her head, which is caught by Noel,
the brilliant rookie. Then follows a spectacle
which brings the crowd to its feet. From nearly center
floor this sparkling young member of the champs’ team
poises for the shot. It seems impossible that the ball can
find that narrow basket from so far out when shot from
such an angle. It drops—a magnificent field basket—to
put the Grads two points ahead.

But Miss Williams of Tulsa strikes hard in a counter-
attack that seems no less brilliant than the Grads have
staged. Again the score board teeters on an even balance.
Again the Grads blaze through with a couple of baskets.
There is no let-up to the speed of these girls.

Now Tulsa leads by four points!) Radio announcers
have lost their voices. The tongues of the crowd begin
to lick lips parched with sheer excitement and expectancy.

16

author of much pub-
lished fiction.

In 1922 the champs wrested the Dominion
championship from the London, Ontario,
Shamrocks. Since that time—thirteen consecu-
tive years—they have successfully defended this title
against all comers. .

In 1923 the Grads met the famous Cleveland Favorite-
Knits, claimants of the world’s championship. They de-
feated Cleveland two games in a two-game series. On
this occasion the Edmonton sharpshooters received, for
the first time in its history, the Underwood trophy, and
so cinched the international championship. Since then
the Grads have played for, and won, this trophy against
the cream of all basketball teams from the south of the
international line.

Here are one or two pertinent questions
with Mr. Page’s answers.

_ QUESTION: Just how important is the application of

put recently,

| LIBERTY FOR DECEMBER 29. 1934