Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 49, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 March 1918 — EMERSON AND LOCALS FOR FINALS—DOPE [ARTICLE]

EMERSON AND LOCALS FOR FINALS—DOPE

Emerson high school, of Gary, an< Rensselaer high school for the fina game of the district basketball tournament to be held at Hammond this week, which opens Friday morning—that's our dope.

After scanning the fifteen entries carefully and weighing their merits and demerits we find according to our dope that the two above named teams should be the ones to contest for the right tp journey to Bloomington next week to fight for the basketball crown of the s Hoosier state. A favorable schedule should permit the Rejd and Black five of Rensselaer to work their way to the finals, while the dashing, driving play of the Steel City five should earn them the right to meet the locals.

The first game scheduled for the tournament shows the Fair Oaks and Morocco fives lined up against each other, and the latter should make their way to. the showers a winner. The result of this game will have absolutely no bearing on* the outcome of the tournament. As ten o’clock Friday morning, Medaryville and Francesville will take the floor, and while both teams have shown only mediocre ability throughout the season the score should be close with the Medaryville quintette taking the honors. At eleven o’clock Rensselaer, will make her first appearance in the tournament and will have as her opionent the Crown Point five. These teams are well matched and Rensse--aer should find her opponent the toughest one she will have to meet before the final. However, the record of the locals for the season is a ittle more impressive than that of Crown Point and for this reason we are forced to hand the honors to our own athletes.

At two o'clock Valparaiso and Whiting, two strong . teams, will battle for the right to remain in the running, and when hostilities cease, Whiting should be the team that is no longer in the fight. Three o'clock will find Hammond and Brook on the court and the former should go through her opponent as easily as a rumor makes its rounds at a ladies* sewing circle. Emerson and E. Chicago will be next two teams to make an appearance and the Gary ites should experience no trouble in disposing of their opponents. Winamac and Kentland will appear one hour later and the result of this game will make no difference in the ultimate outcome of the-tourney. Kentland should win.

Eight-thirty will find Morocco taking the floor for the second time during the day, with Lowell as the enemy. Dope shows the Lake county five the winner. Saturday morning will find Rensselaer and Medaryville opening the day’s hostilities and the verdict will be in favor of Rensselaer. Hammond will meet her Waterloo when she makes her appearance against the Valparaiso five at nine o'clock.

Ten o’clock will find Emerson in her easiest game of the tournament when Kentland will attempt to cope with her. Only a miracle will keep Gary from winning. Rensselaer’s third appearance will occur at two o’clock and Lowell will be the opposing team. Although these teams have met twice during the season,each winning a game, the former appears to know a little more basketball and should win.

Now, we have but three teams left —Emerson, Valparaiso and Rensselaer, —with Rensselaer drawing the bye. The Emerson-Valpo "claSh should be the best of the tournament and the Gary crew will be forced to extend itself to the limit to win. Gary has a smashing, aggressive style of play and tins should carry them to the front. With Valparaiso eliminated, Emerson and Rensselaer win remain for the final and will have several hours of rest before taking the floor at eight-thirty in the evenings Much as we would like to see the local five win, we fear the Gary five possesses a little too much class and bulk for the Red and Black to overcome. Gary to win the tournament, Rensselaer for roaner-up. That’s our guess, poor as itvriny be.