Published in the Morton Enterprise on March 3, 1916.
The past week has been a “beaner” for basketball, and altho there has not been a game played on the home floor, every Mortonite has witnesses each game once or more. The reason for the nervous actions noticeable on our townspeople of late was the needless anxiety felt for the team in their return game with Madison.
The local coach arranged for a game with Madison for Saturday night in order to spare them the fatigue of the journey and to instill a little confidence into the fellows, he had them defeat Dawson Friday, merely to keep up the powerful thirst for victory.
Noting the friendly spirit of the Dawson people, the homeboys beat the Dawson boys three to one to spare their feelings.
The game at Madison proved to be the hair-raiser of the series, as both teams fought fierce and fast from the going. Victory was momentarily uncertain, but the strain soon told on the weaker aggregation, when our boys forged ahead.
Madison played in hard luck during the first half; using a sub-center who was in poor condition, they were at a disadvantage, while it helped us materially. But it may be added that Morton played superb basketball, many throws bordering on the sensational. Baker was the individual point-getter, while our midget guard kept the much-feared Garberg trying desperate shots thru out the game.
Altho star playing was noticeable the general playing of the team as a machine won the game.
Summary: Morton Madison Baker RF Garberg Gaasch LF Mooney Orth C Lindseth Donlon RG Oppegaard Fuller LG Bjeldenas Field throw – Baker 11, Orth 3, Gaasch 9, Fuller 1, Mooney 2, Garberg 1, Lindseth 2, Oppegaard 2. Free – Oppegaard 4, Baker 2. Referee – Jacobson. Final Score: 50-18. The boys acknowledge splendid treatment given them at Dawson and Madison.
Published in the Morton Enterprise on March 10, 1916.
They Now Have Claim To Al But The Northern Part of Dist. 7 – Willmar or Alexandria Game Decides
In a game characterized by much unnecessary roughness and countless fouls, the local basketball team emerged victorious, winning from the strong Marshall quint by a score of 42 to 21.
Marshall had won nine straight games and when they saw they were to be humiliated on their own floor, they resorted to tactics that didn’t help them to score and the result is that they were defeated. This was the first game wherein a Morton layer was disabled, Orth being rendered temporarily useless by a well-directed foot of one of the Marshall players. Donlon also has a souvenir on exhibit this week.
Morton started the scoring when Baker made a basket from underneath the basket, but Marshall scored, tied and topped them, 6 to 4. They, however, were not to keep the lead for Morton soon got right and closed the first half with the score of 20 to 7 in their favor.
The second half was the feature part of the game, with long floating shots by Donlon and Orth, and magnificent teamwork by Marshal. This was partly offset by many fouls.
That game eliminates all contestants on the south side of the district and the next game will likely declare success or failure. It will probably be played with Willmar or Alexandria. These two teams play their eliminations game on March 10th on the St. Cloud floor.
Summary: Morton Marshall Gaasch LF Madden Baker RF McLaughlin Orth C Jacobsen Donlon LG Soucy Fuller RG Strand Goals: Gaasch 2, Baker 7, Orth 4, Madden 3, Strand 2, Jacobsen 2, McLaughlin 1. Free throws: Baker 8, McLaughlin 5. Referee: Campbell. ~~W.F.K. ———————————————————————————————- SCHOOL NOTES excerpt The B.B. boys, with their coach, Mr. Martin, were guests at a dinner given by the Senior girls Friday at 6:30. The dinner was enjoyed and very much appreciated by all.
Published in the Morton Enterprise on February 25, 1916.
First Victory Here Friday Night With 65 to 15 Score. Tuesday Evening at Olivia Armory Morton Wins With Fine Score of 23 – 18
After a successful victory over Madison about a week ago, a jammed house came back to pay us tribute and to help us down our old rival, Olivia.
To the eyes of many of the local fans it looks as tho Olivia was going to win with their “beef.” The game started with a rush and Morton was fouled. Tatting made the point and the score remained this way until Donlon connected for the first field basket. After this Gaasch, Baker and Orth rolled up the points to a total of 65, while Fuller and Donlon held them down to 15 points.
Gaasch played the best game of his career, getting 18 field baskets and 1 free throw. Baker, his running mate, made 18 points and covered his man at all times. Chief (Orth) played a great game at defense and made twice as many points as his opponent. Fuller as guard, played a very heady game and brought the ball on a dribble the length of the hall a number of times. Donlon played his usual game as guard, holding his man scoreless and making 2 baskets for us.
Alling all it was a surprise to the home fans on account of the size of the visitors. Our H.S. team was outweighed by the Olivia team but victory was due to speed. The visitors were well pleased with the treatment they received and went home planning a victory Feb. 22nd for they ay the “revenge is sweet.”
Final score – 15 to 65. Lineup giving with the following game.
The general rumor was that a defeat would be handed to our team when they went to Olivia on Tuesday after trimming the fast Olivia quint here Friday night.
They arrived at Olivia about 4 o’clock and the first thing to do was to look at the floor which was about sixty-five to fifty feet and was the largest floor our boys ever played on.
After a grand feast at the Central Hotel, the boys went to the Armory and started to prepare for battle.
The game started out very fast and Baker connected for the first basket. Then Morton fouled and Olivia missed several good chances to get in the lead. Gaasch found the wicket for his first field basket and the score stood four and one; then Olivia scored after a few good passes. This ended Olivia’s scouring the first half; and Baker, Gaasch and Donlon found the ring for ten points together. At the end of the first half, the score stood 10 to 3 in Morton’s favor.
The second half saw Morton facing a few changes in the Olivia team. The Olivia guards did nothing else but watch our shifty forwards, but at that they connected for fourteen points from the field. Olivia played a game which meant to lay us out and tried hard to do away with our little guard and forwards.
Orth and Donlon played hard on defense, while Fuller was up against the fastest man on the team and should receive much credit for his good guarding. Morton was always in the lead by five-point at least, in spite of the “fake” score of 20-21 as Olivia is a sideliner had it.
After the game, everybody went home and the team invite themselves to a lunch at the Exchange Restaurant where they met their first Olivia friend that day.
As to the sportsmanship of the Olivia rooters, we stand pat, but that is already told if we look back. It was a rough game and marred by many interferences. Much credit must be given to the referees for their decisions during the game. It was certainly a hard game and although the Olivia boys held us to the lowest score, we considered them about the fifth-best team we played this year. This was the first time Olivia was defeated on the new armory floor and the second defeat in two years, Morton claiming the other victory also.
About 16 fans journeyed with “King” Castle to Olivia and they surely distinguished themselves as rooters. Don Castle made a great hit with the Olivia fans and they even “borrowed” him to lead them in their yells. (Lineup below)
Morton Olivia Gaasch LF Tatting Baker RF Schendel Orth C Dirks Fuller LG Warner Donlon RG Barnard Referees: Martin and Seder. Final score: 18-23.
Olivia Basketball Team 1915-1916Excerpt from the Olivia High School 1916 yearbook! Their commentary on the two games discussed above!
Published in the Morton Enterprise on February 4, 1916.
Madison Basket Shooters will Endeavor to Lessen Morton’s Chances in District Championship Contest
Local basketball fans are becoming intensely nervous in anticipation of the fast game to be played here Saturday, for while none fear defeat, all expect a strenuous contest.
The local quint having defeated Lamberton’s team, he no doubt put Madison on their guard and they are probably doing much practicing, while, on account of the Opera House being in demand for so many nights, the local boys nights, the local boys have had no chance to practice.
An idea of how much interest is being shown locally for the Madison game may be gained from the following poem from the pen of an eighth-grade pupil:
As Prophesied by an Eighth Grader
The game is on, the crowd is here, They’re all equipped to help us cheer. Madison is practicing baskets now, Thinking they’re showing Morton how. The game is called, they all lineup, Morton’s playing for the cup. With this in mind, they start up fine, Quick and alert for every sign. First Madison scores, that looks pretty “tuff,” “Chuck” says to himself, “that’s just ‘enuf!” Go to, fellows, they came today, Thinking we didn’t know how to play. Show ‘em we can, get ‘em, hard! They’ve got the rottenest kind of guard. Don’s doing his part in keeping his back, But the Morton spirit is all we lack. With these cheery words, they started to play, A game that made Madison sorrowful that day. And when it was finished they shouted the score, Madison two, and Morton twenty-four. ——————– “State Championship Prospects” The boys of the Morton High school basketball team were in town a short time last Saturday morning while on their way home from Lamberton where they met and defeated the high school quint there by a 39 to 20 score. The boys came into the Herald-Dispatch office to tell us of the affair in their glee of victory, saying they thought we might be interested in knowing how our victors (Lamberton) bit the dust. When asked to tell about the game, one of the boys gave a rather lucid explanation that “we simply outplayed them all around.” The Morton boys had won 12 straight victories up to that time. It looks as though Morton has a good state championship prospects. – Sleepy Eye Herald Dispatch
Published in the Morton Enterprise on December 17, 1915.
Win From Fairfax Boys 31-6—Endeavoring to Secure Dates to finally Decide Dist. Championship
The two Morton H.S. basketball teams—boys and girls—went to Fairfax Friday evening to engage in games with the teams of that place. The boys kept up their brilliant streak of winning by beating the male tossers of Fairfax in a rough game 31-6, Fairfax getting all her points on fouls.
The hall was a handicap to our boys, and their inability to produce more motion was due to the narrow boundaries; otherwise there would be a different score. It was one of the games where individuality was lacking. The team played as a machine.
The Fairfax boys put up a lively scrap and enjoy the reputation of holding us to the lowest score. Coleman and Dickmeier starred for their team, while Nestande also played a good game.
While the HS. Boys were rejoicing over their victory, the girls were struggling against all the disadvantages commonly found where there is a strong determination on both sides to win; where the hall is small and the courts still smaller; where the floor is unusually slippery; where the girls of the opposing six are experimenting with “roughing it: as a method of winning; and finally where the referee is the biggest difficulty.
Fairfax’s record at field throws was smashed in the contest Friday night. Thanks to our guards not one field throw could be made by the Fairfax girls. The only points to their credit (and ours as well) were made on free throws. Even at that their score was small consider the number of free throws allowed.
It was the first rough game for our girls. But they can congratulate themselves on their good work in holding their own as they did. The final score was 9 to 3 in Fairfax’s favor.
A return game is soon to take place. Watch for it and be on hand to help the girls. It promises to be interesting and to add one more victory to their present record.
Posted: April 6, 2020 by Renville County Historical Society Leave a Comment
Last Week’s Games VS Madison and Gibbon
Published in the Morton Enterprise on March 3, 1916.
The past week has been a “beaner” for basketball, and altho there has not been a game played on the home floor, every Mortonite has witnesses each game once or more. The reason for the nervous actions noticeable on our townspeople of late was the needless anxiety felt for the team in their return game with Madison.
The local coach arranged for a game with Madison for Saturday night in order to spare them the fatigue of the journey and to instill a little confidence into the fellows, he had them defeat Dawson Friday, merely to keep up the powerful thirst for victory.
Noting the friendly spirit of the Dawson people, the homeboys beat the Dawson boys three to one to spare their feelings.
The summary:
Morton Dawson
Baker RF Bacon
Gaasch LF Hanson
Orth C West
Donlon RG Sorenson
Fuller LG Taylor
Goals – Baker 10, Gaasch 3, Orth 2, Donlon 1, Bacon 1, West 2, Sorenson 2. Free throws – Baker 1, Taylor 1. Referee – Gillot. Final Score: 33 – 11
The game at Madison proved to be the hair-raiser of the series, as both teams fought fierce and fast from the going. Victory was momentarily uncertain, but the strain soon told on the weaker aggregation, when our boys forged ahead.
Madison played in hard luck during the first half; using a sub-center who was in poor condition, they were at a disadvantage, while it helped us materially. But it may be added that Morton played superb basketball, many throws bordering on the sensational. Baker was the individual point-getter, while our midget guard kept the much-feared Garberg trying desperate shots thru out the game.
Altho star playing was noticeable the general playing of the team as a machine won the game.
Summary:
Morton Madison
Baker RF Garberg
Gaasch LF Mooney
Orth C Lindseth
Donlon RG Oppegaard
Fuller LG Bjeldenas
Field throw – Baker 11, Orth 3, Gaasch 9, Fuller 1, Mooney 2, Garberg 1, Lindseth 2, Oppegaard 2. Free – Oppegaard 4, Baker 2. Referee – Jacobson. Final Score: 50-18. The boys acknowledge splendid treatment given them at Dawson and Madison.
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Posted: April 6, 2020 by Renville County Historical Society Leave a Comment
LOCAL QUINT DEFEATS MARSHALL 42-21
Published in the Morton Enterprise on March 10, 1916.
They Now Have Claim To Al But The Northern Part of Dist. 7 – Willmar or Alexandria Game Decides
In a game characterized by much unnecessary roughness and countless fouls, the local basketball team emerged victorious, winning from the strong Marshall quint by a score of 42 to 21.
Marshall had won nine straight games and when they saw they were to be humiliated on their own floor, they resorted to tactics that didn’t help them to score and the result is that they were defeated. This was the first game wherein a Morton layer was disabled, Orth being rendered temporarily useless by a well-directed foot of one of the Marshall players. Donlon also has a souvenir on exhibit this week.
Morton started the scoring when Baker made a basket from underneath the basket, but Marshall scored, tied and topped them, 6 to 4. They, however, were not to keep the lead for Morton soon got right and closed the first half with the score of 20 to 7 in their favor.
The second half was the feature part of the game, with long floating shots by Donlon and Orth, and magnificent teamwork by Marshal. This was partly offset by many fouls.
That game eliminates all contestants on the south side of the district and the next game will likely declare success or failure. It will probably be played with Willmar or Alexandria. These two teams play their eliminations game on March 10th on the St. Cloud floor.
Summary:
Morton Marshall
Gaasch LF Madden
Baker RF McLaughlin
Orth C Jacobsen
Donlon LG Soucy
Fuller RG Strand
Goals: Gaasch 2, Baker 7, Orth 4, Madden 3, Strand 2, Jacobsen 2, McLaughlin 1. Free throws: Baker 8, McLaughlin 5. Referee: Campbell. ~~W.F.K.
———————————————————————————————-
SCHOOL NOTES excerpt
The B.B. boys, with their coach, Mr. Martin, were guests at a dinner given by the Senior girls Friday at 6:30. The dinner was enjoyed and very much appreciated by all.
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Last Updated: April 27, 2020 by Renville County Historical Society Leave a Comment
BASKETBALL BOYS TWICE DEFEAT OLIVIA
Published in the Morton Enterprise on February 25, 1916.
First Victory Here Friday Night With 65 to 15 Score. Tuesday Evening at Olivia Armory Morton Wins With Fine Score of 23 – 18
After a successful victory over Madison about a week ago, a jammed house came back to pay us tribute and to help us down our old rival, Olivia.
To the eyes of many of the local fans it looks as tho Olivia was going to win with their “beef.” The game started with a rush and Morton was fouled. Tatting made the point and the score remained this way until Donlon connected for the first field basket. After this Gaasch, Baker and Orth rolled up the points to a total of 65, while Fuller and Donlon held them down to 15 points.
Gaasch played the best game of his career, getting 18 field baskets and 1 free throw. Baker, his running mate, made 18 points and covered his man at all times. Chief (Orth) played a great game at defense and made twice as many points as his opponent. Fuller as guard, played a very heady game and brought the ball on a dribble the length of the hall a number of times. Donlon played his usual game as guard, holding his man scoreless and making 2 baskets for us.
Alling all it was a surprise to the home fans on account of the size of the visitors. Our H.S. team was outweighed by the Olivia team but victory was due to speed. The visitors were well pleased with the treatment they received and went home planning a victory Feb. 22nd for they ay the “revenge is sweet.”
Final score – 15 to 65. Lineup giving with the following game.
**************************************************************
The general rumor was that a defeat would be handed to our team when they went to Olivia on Tuesday after trimming the fast Olivia quint here Friday night.
They arrived at Olivia about 4 o’clock and the first thing to do was to look at the floor which was about sixty-five to fifty feet and was the largest floor our boys ever played on.
After a grand feast at the Central Hotel, the boys went to the Armory and started to prepare for battle.
The game started out very fast and Baker connected for the first basket. Then Morton fouled and Olivia missed several good chances to get in the lead. Gaasch found the wicket for his first field basket and the score stood four and one; then Olivia scored after a few good passes. This ended Olivia’s scouring the first half; and Baker, Gaasch and Donlon found the ring for ten points together. At the end of the first half, the score stood 10 to 3 in Morton’s favor.
The second half saw Morton facing a few changes in the Olivia team. The Olivia guards did nothing else but watch our shifty forwards, but at that they connected for fourteen points from the field. Olivia played a game which meant to lay us out and tried hard to do away with our little guard and forwards.
Orth and Donlon played hard on defense, while Fuller was up against the fastest man on the team and should receive much credit for his good guarding. Morton was always in the lead by five-point at least, in spite of the “fake” score of 20-21 as Olivia is a sideliner had it.
After the game, everybody went home and the team invite themselves to a lunch at the Exchange Restaurant where they met their first Olivia friend that day.
As to the sportsmanship of the Olivia rooters, we stand pat, but that is already told if we look back. It was a rough game and marred by many interferences. Much credit must be given to the referees for their decisions during the game. It was certainly a hard game and although the Olivia boys held us to the lowest score, we considered them about the fifth-best team we played this year. This was the first time Olivia was defeated on the new armory floor and the second defeat in two years, Morton claiming the other victory also.
About 16 fans journeyed with “King” Castle to Olivia and they surely distinguished themselves as rooters. Don Castle made a great hit with the Olivia fans and they even “borrowed” him to lead them in their yells. (Lineup below)
Morton Olivia
Gaasch LF Tatting
Baker RF Schendel
Orth C Dirks
Fuller LG Warner
Donlon RG Barnard
Referees: Martin and Seder. Final score: 18-23.
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Posted: April 6, 2020 by Renville County Historical Society Leave a Comment
DISTRICT CHAMPIONSHIP GAME HERE SATURDAY
Published in the Morton Enterprise on February 4, 1916.
Madison Basket Shooters will Endeavor to Lessen Morton’s Chances in District Championship Contest
Local basketball fans are becoming intensely nervous in anticipation of the fast game to be played here Saturday, for while none fear defeat, all expect a strenuous contest.
The local quint having defeated Lamberton’s team, he no doubt put Madison on their guard and they are probably doing much practicing, while, on account of the Opera House being in demand for so many nights, the local boys nights, the local boys have had no chance to practice.
An idea of how much interest is being shown locally for the Madison game may be gained from the following poem from the pen of an eighth-grade pupil:
As Prophesied by an Eighth Grader
The game is on, the crowd is here,
They’re all equipped to help us cheer.
Madison is practicing baskets now,
Thinking they’re showing Morton how.
The game is called, they all lineup,
Morton’s playing for the cup.
With this in mind, they start up fine,
Quick and alert for every sign.
First Madison scores, that looks pretty “tuff,”
“Chuck” says to himself, “that’s just ‘enuf!”
Go to, fellows, they came today,
Thinking we didn’t know how to play.
Show ‘em we can, get ‘em, hard!
They’ve got the rottenest kind of guard.
Don’s doing his part in keeping his back,
But the Morton spirit is all we lack.
With these cheery words, they started to play,
A game that made Madison sorrowful that day.
And when it was finished they shouted the score,
Madison two, and Morton twenty-four.
——————–
“State Championship Prospects”
The boys of the Morton High school basketball team were in town a short time last Saturday morning while on their way home from Lamberton where they met and defeated the high school quint there by a 39 to 20 score. The boys came into the Herald-Dispatch office to tell us of the affair in their glee of victory, saying they thought we might be interested in knowing how our victors (Lamberton) bit the dust. When asked to tell about the game, one of the boys gave a rather lucid explanation that “we simply outplayed them all around.” The Morton boys had won 12 straight victories up to that time. It looks as though Morton has a good state championship prospects. – Sleepy Eye Herald Dispatch
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Posted: April 6, 2020 by Renville County Historical Society Leave a Comment
MORTON H.S. B.B. BOYS STILL IN CHAMPION CLASS
Published in the Morton Enterprise on December 17, 1915.
Win From Fairfax Boys 31-6—Endeavoring to Secure Dates to finally Decide Dist. Championship
The two Morton H.S. basketball teams—boys and girls—went to Fairfax Friday evening to engage in games with the teams of that place. The boys kept up their brilliant streak of winning by beating the male tossers of Fairfax in a rough game 31-6, Fairfax getting all her points on fouls.
The hall was a handicap to our boys, and their inability to produce more motion was due to the narrow boundaries; otherwise there would be a different score. It was one of the games where individuality was lacking. The team played as a machine.
The Fairfax boys put up a lively scrap and enjoy the reputation of holding us to the lowest score. Coleman and Dickmeier starred for their team, while Nestande also played a good game.
The lineup:
Morton Fairfax
Gaasch LF Dickmeier
Baker RF Nestande
Orth C Schwartz
Fuller LG Reike
Donlon RG Coleman
Goals: Gaasch 4, Baker 4, Orth 4, Donlon 1, Fuller 1. Free Throws: Nestande 1, Dickmeier 5, Gaasch 2, Baker 1. Referees Varnadore, Keinlen Scorer: Martin Timekeeper: Aldrich
W.F.K.
While the HS. Boys were rejoicing over their victory, the girls were struggling against all the disadvantages commonly found where there is a strong determination on both sides to win; where the hall is small and the courts still smaller; where the floor is unusually slippery; where the girls of the opposing six are experimenting with “roughing it: as a method of winning; and finally where the referee is the biggest difficulty.
Fairfax’s record at field throws was smashed in the contest Friday night. Thanks to our guards not one field throw could be made by the Fairfax girls. The only points to their credit (and ours as well) were made on free throws. Even at that their score was small consider the number of free throws allowed.
It was the first rough game for our girls. But they can congratulate themselves on their good work in holding their own as they did. The final score was 9 to 3 in Fairfax’s favor.
A return game is soon to take place. Watch for it and be on hand to help the girls. It promises to be interesting and to add one more victory to their present record.
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