1918 Cedrus Yearbook

19 18 "I'll be there with bells on," replied Roy, as he left the r oom. Friday night found the gymnasium packed to its limit. Harry and the other "subs" were sitting along the north side line. Just oppos ite and up on the running track, he noticed Ruth with her roommate, Miss Reed. Instantly there was a clapping of hands as the Oberlin team entered and commenced practice. Shortly after, a tremendous uproar arose as our players entered. During the practice Harry was busy watching the players of the Oberlin team,and often looked to see how "Bud" was pla ying. "'Bud'isn't showing up very well in practice," exclaimed "S horty" Fox, who was sitting near Harry. "Why should he?" replied Joe Adams,"He,`Deac.' Berry and two other fellows were up playing cards till three o'clock this morning. I am afraid he will not last long against Oberlin's big, tall center." "But,see there; he made a basket," added Harry. Their conversation was interrupted by the referee's whistle. The players took their places and all the people rose to their feet, the ball went up and the game was on. After several successful passes, the ball was pa ssed to "Bud"; every body yelled, "Shoot!" and after steadying himse lf he shot for the basket and the ball went true to its mark. But, alas for "Bud"!That was his fatal basket, for he now w as too con- fident of himself and the lack of rest the night before weak ened him so that he was unable to make another basket, and many times he would get i n the way of our other players. The coach noticed this and said to Harry,"Get ready to g o in the second half, for 'Bud' isn't playing any more. He fails to follow my orders and persists in smoking, and just when I need him the m ost he is no good." The whistle of the timekeeper announced the end of t he first half. The people sat down with a sigh as they saw that the score n ow stood 10 to 16 in Oberlin's favor. The players passed below and the band played seve ral selections during the intermission. The players soon came on the floor and as Harry pa ssed through the door, he heard a great applause. He now knew that the people expected him to win. Crossing the floor he glanced up at Ruth. Very much sur- prised he saw that she was watching him with much inter est. The coach called Harry to him and said, "Harry, I am depen ding on you." "I'll do the best I can," he replied, as he took his pla ce. And true to his word, Harry played as he never played before. And it was largely through him that the score stood 19 to 20 with Obe rlin in the lead. With only sixty seconds to play everybody was up y elling till the building vibrated. Harry saw the ball going down t owards Oberlin's basket; in a second he was there and intercepted the throw to the basket. Then, after several passes to the left forward, he made a desperate effort and threw for the basket. By the uproar of the people he knew that he had made two more points and put his team one point ahead of Oberlin. The timekeeper reported that the game was over. Harry was not at all surprised when the boys congratulat ed him, but was elated when he saw Ruth coming to him. "Congratulations, Mr. Cooper, you played a fine game," she said. "Thank you, Miss Angier, did you enjoy the game?" And without awaiting her answer, he added, "Would you care to go to t he lecture to- morrow night?" "I would be delighted to go," she answered. "Thanks," said Harry as he started to the locker rooms. J. H. R. 47