Seattle's Early Basketball Craze: Church Teams Pack the Y.M.C.A.

The basket ball games at the Y.M.C.A. last night brought out such a crowd that when time was called there was not standing room. Even the ladders, parallel bars and mattresses in the gymnasium were occupied by eager spectators. The fair sex was in full force and its presence certainly did not restrain the ardor of the players.

Eugene Wheeler gave a preliminary exhibition of star work which called forth great applause. The club teams were particularly good.

As soon as this was over the First Presbyterians came out on the floor and made ready to dispose of the United Presbyterians. They did so successfully with a score of 5 to 3. The game was lively though few goals were thrown except from fouls. Eyers distinguished himself; all the goals made by the First Presbyterians being made by him. Cathcart made the goal for the other side.

The second game, which was between the Methodist Episcopalians and St. Mark's Episcopalians, put the first on the shade. It was going at full speed from start to finish. The gymnasium apparatus was in danger of ruin. The ball seemed to be everywhere at once and the air was full of players spinning each other even as the Salvation Army lassie spins her tambourine. Robbins created enthusiastic amusement. His earnestness and aggressiveness would have won the game had there been any luck on his side. His goal was the only one made on his side and the only one during the evening not made on a foul. But fate was against St. Mark's. They lost as their friends the United Presbyterians had before them, by a score of 6 to 1. The winning team conceded three points upon a protest, that it might not be said that they were ungenerous in victory.

The teams lined up as follows:

St. Mark's. — Methodist Episcopal. L. D. Gillmer, goal — E. C. Sharpe, C. F. S. Wright, goal — S. Humes B. B. S. Phillips, C., center — F. de Gage G. C. Griswold, guard — A. N. Erskine L. S. Lobe, guard — J. S. Sheenan

United Presbyterians. J. A. Cathcart, C., guard — P. W. Brown S. DeF. Johnston, guard — L. G. Patullo A. Johnston, center — Fred Schone A. S. Nickerson, goal — G. A. Eyers W. Ewing, goal — E. Hector, C.

Prof. Lippy was umpire. Referees, Nickerson and Sharpe.

After the basket ball was over the spectators adjourned to the association parlors, where supper was served by the young ladies of the Methodist Protestant church.