First Round: (Friday, February 24, 1922)
Game 1: Vanderbilt 37, The Citadel 22
Game 2: Newberry 32, Auburn 21
Game 3: Tulane 31, Clemson 20
Game 4: North Carolina 35, Howard 22
Game 5: Kentucky 42, Georgetown (KY) 21
Game 6: Chattanooga 57, Furman 30
Game 7: Georgia 43, Oglethorpe 12
Game 8: Mercer 32, Centre 27
Byes: Alabama, Georgia Tech, Mississippi A.&M., Mississippi College, South Carolina, Tennessee, Wofford
Second Round: (Saturday, February 25, 1922)
Game 9: North Carolina 32, Newberry 27
Game 10: Georgia Tech 34, Mississippi A.&M. 30
Game 11: South Carolina 34, Wofford 18
Game 12: Tennessee 19, Mississippi College 18
Game 13: Chattanooga 25, Tulane 21
Game 14: Mercer 35, Kentucky 22
Game 15: Georgia 27, Vanderbilt 26
Bye: Alabama
Quarterfinals: (Monday, February 27, 1922)
Game 16: Alabama 29, Tennessee 25
Game 17: Georgia Tech 34, South Carolina 23
Game 18: Mercer 25, Chattanooga 18
Game 19: North Carolina 33, Georgia 25
Semifinals: (Tuesday, February 28, 1922)
Consolation: (Wednesday, March 1, 1922)
Game 22: Georgia Tech 33, Alabama 25
Finals: (Wednesday, March 1, 1922)
Game 23: North Carolina 40, Mercer 25
For the 1922 tournament, the committee decided to hold an "honest draw" whereby names of all participants were placed into the silver championship trophy. Mercer Coach Josh Cody did the honors of pulling names and the field was formed. According to Georgian columnist Ed Danforth, who witnessed the drawing:
"Tick Tichenor, Truman Bradshaw, Coach H.J. Stegeman of Georgia; Ben Ragsdale, little Morgan Blake, and Mr. Danforth's son were all there. To say nothing of six white-coated waiters who had been the silver cup and thought something was coming off or something.
Oh, it was honest, all right
"A recent letter from Coach Rhoton, of Georgetown College, stated that the only reason his team was entered in the tournament was to get a chance at the University of Kentucky again.
"They'll never believe in Kentucky the draw was honest." - ("An Honest Draw," Atlanta Georgian, February 21, 1922)
This method was different than the previous year where the four strongest teams were placed away from each other in opposite brackets, as the committee noted there were too many special requests than could be accommodated.
Noted Danforth: "The colleges who visit our fair city simply will have to be satisfied with the draw and see how they like the experiment. Then if the tournament loses money, some other method of pairings can be instituted next year." - ("An Honest Draw,", Atlanta Georgian, February 21, 1922)
In the days leading up to the event, the draw had to be altered anyway as Washington & Lee wired Doonan that they would not be attending. The Generals had entered the tournament and were assigned a bye for Friday night, but had to withdraw as they had a game scheduled against the University of Virginia in Lynchburg on Saturday February 25th, after not having played the Cavaliers for six years. This game effectively kept both schools out of the Southern Conference tournament.
Louisiana State also did not attend the tournament, citing that too much time was required to take off from studies. The Tigers had originally been scheduled to face Mississippi College on Friday.
Due to the changes, tournament favorite Alabama, who originally had been scheduled to face the University of Mississippi on Saturday would not see action until the quarterfinals on Monday.
In the end, twenty-four teams entered the tournament, the most to ever participate in the history of the event.
"Six of the various clans have already hit town, reaching the city Thursday morning. They were: Wofford, Georgetown College, Vanderbilt, Kentucky, North Carolina and Howard.
"During the afternoon, Clemson, Tennessee, Auburn, Chattanooga, Newberry, Centre, Mississippi College and Furman were to alight.
"Each and everyone of the thirteen quintets plan to take a brief workout some time during the day or night at the Atlanta Athletic Club.
"Al Doonan, Coaches Stegeman, Alexander and Bean and Tick Tichenor were to form the reception committee, to meet the trains and welcome the visitors to our city, then escort them to the hotel, etc." - ("Wash.-Lee Not Coming to Tourney," Atlanta Georgian, February 23, 1922.)
"The Ansley Hotel is headquarters of the visiting teams and its lobby is crowded with some of the finest specimens of young American manhood anyone would ever care to see. Whatever scandals may have attached themselves to the college teams of certain Northern schools, no one can deny that college sports in the South develop the best that is in the men and turn them into stalwart, clean, alert physical specimens that are an inspiration to see. They all wear clothes of the 'klassy kollege kut," of course, but there is as much difference between the appearance of this assembly of young athletes and the usual 'college crowd,' around Five Points, for example, as between the more or less distant North and South Poles.
"Each of the squads is composed of from eight to ten players, so that more than 200 of them are in Atlanta. Coaches and college students not on the squad who have come to attend the tournament will bring the total of visitors to more than 300. It is a great thing for Atlanta and for college sports that this annual tournament has been arranged. " - ("Hotel Lobby 'Hangout' of 200 Visiting Basketeers," Atlanta Georgian, February 25, 1922.)
"The floor will be approximately the same dimensions as the one that was used in the national championship and last year's collegiate title affairs." - ("Louisiana State University's Quintet Withdraws from Meet," Atlanta Constitution, February 22, 1922.)
"The Auditorium today and for the entire tournament will be gayly bedecked in handsome colors strung out along the top of the stage and hanging from the rafters high up over the heads of the battling warriors.
"Al Doonan and his assistant committeemen in charge, have busied themselves in the last few days winding up preliminary arrangements, and Friday morning, the said Mr. Doonan pronounced the stage all set for the greatest collegiate basketball event in the history of the Southland." - ("Southern Basketball Tournament to Crack Open Today in Auditorium," Atlanta Georgian, February 24, 1922.)
"'There is King, one of the best forwards in the South,' supporter of Kentucky told Coach Stegeman, of the Georgia Bulldogs. 'You need not point him out to me, for I remember him quite well from the S.I.A.A. tournament held last year. He is the one that shot a free throw which kept my team from winning the championship. No sir, I need no introduction to that gentleman,' Coach Stegeman dropped the subject." - "Some Tournament Pick-Ups," by R.R. Houser Atlanta Constitution, February 24, 1922.)
Friday, February 24, 1922 - First Round
Game 1: Vanderbilt 37, The Citadel 22
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"In the Southern Tournament, at Atlanta, we were pitted against Vanderbilt on the first day's schedule. Although defeated by the Commodores by 37 to 22, the Bulldogs played a wonderful game, and staged a comeback during the last half which surprised the Atlanta fans, outscoring Vandy by one point. "Judge" O'Shaughnessy made twenty of our twenty-two points, and was high point man for the game." - (The Sphinx (Citadel Yearbook), 1922.)
Game 2: Newberry 32, Auburn 21
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"Chatworthey, Clmeson, was the first player to have his eligibility questioned, he not showing on the entry blanks. His play was permitted - and he actually shot a foul goal." - "Some Tournament Pick-Ups," by Mike Thomas Atlanta Constitution, February 25, 1922.)
"The gallery was impartial to a certain extent. During the Clemson-Tulane go, the rah, rah's had 'Clemson-Tulane' tacked onto their ends instead of one of them, as per usual." - "Some Tournament Pick-Ups," by Mike Thomas Atlanta Constitution, February 25, 1922.)
Game 4: North Carolina 35, Howard 22
"The North Carolina quintet which sustained its first defeat of the season Tuesday night when they lost to the Army five in New York arrived shortly before noon, but did not work out, as the men were tired from their long trip. They will work out this morning on the Auditorium court." - "Some Tournament Pick-Ups," by R.R. Houser Atlanta Constitution, February 24, 1922.)
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"North Carolina-Howard game was the most spectacular of the afternoon. The two teams rocked along in a tie for a large portion of the fray. It was only in the last few minutes Howard seemed to let down and North Carolina began to roll up a score." - ("A Bird's Eye View of the Tournament," Atlanta Georgian, February 25, 1922.)
Game 5: Kentucky 42, Georgetown (KY) 21
"The next teams to arrive were ancient rivals, Georgetown and Kentucky, who came in on the same train. Fate not only placed the teams as rivals on the first day, but placed them on the same train and on the same Pullman car en route to Atlanta. The rivalry existing between these two colleges is intense and yet friendly." - "Some Tournament Pick-Ups," by R.R. Houser Atlanta Constitution, February 24, 1922.)
"The afternoon program Friday, consisting of six games, had one outstanding battle - Georgetown vs. Kentucky. The latter is defending its championship, won here a year ago by a one-point margin over Georgia. Kentucky and Georgetown College have for years been the keenest of rivals. Both have good strong teams this season. In their two games played to date, each has been victorious in one of them, and today's affray will be the 'rubber'." - ("Southern Basketball Tournament to Crack Open Today in Auditorium," Atlanta Georgian, February 24, 1922.)
"From the dark and gloomy ground of Kentucky two quintets, each thirsting for the other's blood, will be thrown in to settle their differences at 4 o'clock this afternoon. Georgetown, with the avowed intention of wreaking vengeance for defeat at the hands of their ancient rivals, the University of Kentucky, will have the opportunity, some trick of fortune bringing these teams together in the first round." - "Vanderbilt vs. Citadel First Battle Listed on Dixie Title Hunt," by Cliff Wheatley Atlanta Constitution, February 24, 1922.)
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"There was more real basketball played in this game than in any of the others that were started during the afternoon. The old-time mastery of the basket pastime, as displayed last season by the champions, was evidenced once more. King, Lavin and the rest showing the sort of stuff that brought them the championship in 1921.
Georgetown had a splendid quintet, no doubt of that, and one that defeated Kentucky once during the collegiate season; but they were far from being in the same class with the champions. The end of the first half was nearing before Kentucky struck its real stride, ending 22-10, but during the second session, the Lexington lads scored just about as often as they desired.
Atkins, King and Lavin were the big factors in the success of the champions. Atkins shot 18 points and was the central figure in the passing system that completely baffled Georgetown. . . .
It was easily the best game of the afternoon and kept the crowd yelling from the start. The contest decided the Kentucky collegiate basketball championship." - ("KENTUCKY 41, GEORGETOWN 21," Atlanta Constitution, February 25, 1922.)
"'Big Boy' Pribble, 200 pounds of him, is in Atlanta to help Kentucky take the championship cup back to Lexington again. He is captain of the football team next year, but not on the basketball squad. He believed in supporting the other teams of Alma Mater and he 'bummed' a ride down to see the tournament. He and two other Kentucky students made a bet they could get to Atlanta on 40 cents each, and they won." - ("Hotel Lobby 'Hangout' of 200 Visiting Basketeers," Atlanta Georgian, February 25, 1922.)
Game 6: Chattanooga 57, Furman 30
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Game 7: Georgia 43, Oglethorpe 12
"Georgia leads off in its battle with the Oglethorpe Petrels at 7 o'clock. . . The Athenians appear to have the easiest sailing. The Petrels, composed wholly of members of the freshman class, have made a good record to date - the first season that basketball was tried as a sport at the university - but the players are hardly experienced enough to cope with the Red and Black on even terms." - "Vanderbilt vs. Citadel First Battle Listed on Dixie Title Hunt," by Cliff Wheatley Atlanta Constitution, February 24, 1922.)
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"Charlie Wiehrs, of Georgia, using a headgear on account of a fractured skull sustained last year in football, played great ball Friday night, displaying almost superhuman ability in following the ball. Wiehrs is small but stocky and is like a flash on the court." - ("A Bird's Eye View of the Tournament," Atlanta Georgian, February 25, 1922.)
"Georgia's ridiculously easy victory over the Oglethorpe freshmen was no surprise. The score was 43 to 12. The Petrels, of course, were nothing like a match for the Bulldogs. It must be remembered the former entered the tournament not with the idea of getting anywhere particularly, but for the valuable experience a game with a strong opponent and under real fire would give them.
"One could glean but little as to the true ability of the Georgians, because of the failure of the Petrels to extend them. The regular Bulldog outfit did not play the entire game.
"Eddie Rawson and Paige Bennett were the high point men with 16 and 12, respectively. Tiny Roberts, Oglethorpe's huge center, covered himself with glory for his game and tireless efforts to stem the tide. He fought like a demon." - ("Al Staton and Matheson, Sub, Shine in Victory Over Aggies," by Guy Butler, Atlanta Georgian, February 25, 1922.)
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"It was odd to see Bo McMillan sitting on the players' bench and Covington and Snowday in the game. These latter two, with Bo, make up a triumvirate in the football world that has seldom been equaled in recent years. Both Covington and Snowday look small in basketball togs - small, but well put together.
"An unusually large crowd was present for the evening games. From the number on the opening night it is considered certain the tournament will be a success financially. Increasing interest of women was shown by the unusually large number present." - ("A Bird's Eye View of the Tournament," Atlanta Georgian, February 25, 1922.)
Saturday, February 25, 1922 - Second Round
Game 9: North Carolina 32, Newberry 27
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Game 10: Georgia Tech 34, Mississippi A.&M. 30
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"CEASE FIRING!!! Al Staton was presented with a handsome pair of tissue paper field glasses by the admiring student body, to commemorate his shooting two long field goals in one game. Al's record in basketball games as far as scoring goes is, as a usual thing, as barren of points as a frog is of feathers.
"TECH'S STUDENT body filled a part of the Auditorium personally, but when it came to noise they filled the entire building and sprung several of the window sills. - ("Some Tournament Pick-ups," by Mike Thomas, Atlanta Constitution, February 26, 1922.)
Game 11: South Carolina 34, Wofford 18
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Game 12: Tennessee 19, Mississippi College 18
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"This is Banks' first year at Tennessee. He is a Syracuse man. From 1910 to 1912, he coached Centre College. Stars of the Colonels in those days, such as he Seelbach brothers and Duffy are still mentioned with respect in the Blue Grass section, for at that time, Centre was the village cut-up, though not as prominent as it is today." - ("A Bird's-Eye View of the Tournament," Atlanta Georgian, February 27, 1922.)
"One of the best exhibitions on the gentle art of shooting more goals than your opponent came to light in the Tennessee-Mississippi game. Final score 19 to 18. The winning point was shot by Troutman, who is also student manager in addition to being a basketball player. The game had about thirty seconds to go when the winning point was scored." - ("Some Tournament Pick-ups," by Mike Thomas, Atlanta Constitution, February 26, 1922.)
Game 13: Chattanooga 25, Tulane 21
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Game 14: Mercer 35, Kentucky 22
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"Hayden, badly injured in a scrimmage Friday afternoon, was rushed into the game as a final resort to avert the impending disaster, but he was powerless to stem the steady charge of the Baptists." - ("Mercer 35, Kentucky 22," Atlanta Constitution, February 26, 1922.)
"Carl Zerfoss, of Ashland, Ky., is a visitor. He was star of the Kentucky team about five years ago and his brother, Tom Zerfoss, is now assistant coach of Vandy. another, George Zerfoss, was famous in Kentucky football." - ("A Bird's-Eye View of the Tournament," Atlanta Georgian, February 27, 1922.)
Game 15: Georgia 27, Vanderbilt 26
"Vandy and Georgia come under the classification of ancient and honorable partnerships along with Tom and Jerry, pork and beans, ham and eggs, etc." - ("Some Tournament Pick-ups," by Mike Thomas, Atlanta Constitution, February 26, 1922.)
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"Eddie Rawson, crack Georgia forward, dropped a foul goal through the basket a second before the final pistol shot Saturday night and Vanderbilt's hopes for a Southern basketball championship were delayed for at least a year. The game was the most thrilling that has been played in the tournament, the score being tied three times, and at no time was Georgia out of danger. The final score was 27 to 26, which just about tells the whole store in itself." - ("Eddie Rawson Shoots Foul That Wins, As Battle Ends," by Lamar Trotti, Hearst's Sunday American, February 26, 1922.)
"Officials of the tournament Monday expressed their satisfaction over the splendid attendance Friday and Saturday, and gave it as their belief the crowds Monday and for the remainder of the play will be even larger.
Thus far is has been a highly successful tourney, both financially and otherwise." - ("Tech Meets S. Carolina at 5 o'clock. . .," by Guy Butler, Atlanta Georgian, February 27, 1922.)
Seated (l to r): Alvin "Pep" Bell, Oliver "Doc" Kuhn, Ted Srygley Back Row: Tommy Ryan, Manning Brown, Julian Thomas, "Slim" Embry, Cowan |
Monday, February 27, 1922 - Quarterfinals
Game 16: Alabama 29, Tennessee 25
"Alabama, doped as a real contender, is giving all the other entries a run for their reputation in the line of luck. After drawing a bye in the first round and getting the University of Mississippi in the second, this latter institution withdraws, throwing Alabama into the third round without a warm-up. Pretty lucky to enter at this stage of the tournament with a fresh crew." - ("Some Tournament Pick-ups," by Mike Thomas, Atlanta Constitution, February 26, 1922.)
"Tennessee carries a 14-inch gun in Reader, the great forward, who Saturday pitched 18 of the 19 points against Mississippi College.
"Alabama, however, with its Stabler, its Slim Carter and its Hudson and Gazzola, will rule a favorite today." - ("Tech Meets S. Carolina at 5 o'clock. . .," by Guy Butler, Atlanta Georgian, February 27, 1922.)
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"Tenn. Uses the individual type of defense. Every man has a man to guard, and he is supposed to stick with the man assigned, no matter where the ball might be or the position of the players. It argues like this: If a team can maintain an airtight defense, then a percentage of the long shots and a good foul shooter ought to put the game on ice. In Reeder, Tennessee has a dependable foul shooter, and their percentage of foul shots worked out fine. Had it not been for the excessive number of fouls called on Tennessee they probably would have won the game. But they didn't." Atlanta Constitution, February 28, 1922.)
Game 17: Georgia Tech 34, South Carolina 23
"Tech will be captainless again, it was indicated Monday morning for Jimmy Brewster continues to suffer from a lame knee. The same line-up that made the great comeback against the Aggies doubtless will be hurled against the invaders, . . ." - ("Tech Meets S. Carolina at 5 o'clock. . .," by Guy Butler, Atlanta Georgian, February 27, 1922.)
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Game 18: Mercer 25, Chattanooga 18
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Game 19: North Carolina 33, Georgia 25
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Sitting (l to r): Bob Richardson, George Clark, Eddie Rawson, W.M. Murray, Charlie Wiehrs Standing: Jake Butler, Joe Bennett, Paige Bennett, Sam Boney, Ed Gurr |
Tuesday, February 28, 1922 - Semifinals
Game 20: North Carolina 20, Alabama 11
"Alabama has lost but two games this season, to Tech and the Atlanta Athletic Club. In meeting North Carolina, however, they go against a quintet fully as good as Tech and one that would make even the A.A.C. travel at its best speed to emerge a winner." - ("Two Surviving Georgia Teams Clash Tonight," Atlanta Georgian, February 28, 1922.)
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Game 21: Mercer 29, Georgia Tech 14
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Wednesday, March 1, 1922 - Consolation
Game 22: Georgia Tech 33, Alabama 25
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Wednesday, March 1, 1922 - Finals
Game 23: North Carolina 40, Mercer 25
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Front Row (l to r): Bill Carmichael, Sidney Perry, Cartwright Carmichael (Captain), Winton Green, "Monk" McDonald Back Row: Williams, Cal Mahler, Coach W. McK. Fetzer, John Purser, Tom Graham |
First Team
Cartwright Carmichael - North Carolina
Charles Wollett - Newberry
Bill Redd - Tennessee-Chattanooga
"Monk" McDonald - North Carolina
George Harmon - Mercer
(Note: This team is the consensus team chosen by the three major Atlanta newspapers, The Atlanta Constitution, The Atlanta Journal and The Atlanta Georgian. The Southern Conference currently does not list this team in their media guide, for unknown reasons. According to the Spalding's Official Basketball Guide of 1922,"An attempt was made to get the coaches and officials to pick an All-Tournament team and choose a composite team from their selections, but so many of them had objections to publishing their opinions" that the Guide chose to publish one of the newspaper picks instead.)
According to Spalding's Official Basketball Guide of 1922-23 "The primary purpose of the tournament was to create greater interest in the game of basketball as it should be played, and in this respect the affair was very successful. Every one of the teams declared their satisfaction as to every detail of the tournament. The event was the largest college tournament in the country in 1922, and in 1923 it promises to be the largest one of any sort in the United States."
After the tournament North Carolina faced Washington & Lee (a team which had beaten UNC earlier in the season, 38 to 25) in Raleigh, N.C. and the Tar Heels went down to defeat again, this time by the score of 39 to 36.
Tournament runner-up Mercer traveled to Indianapolis to face Wabash (Indiana state champions) and the boys from Georgia were run over by a score of 62 to 23.
1921 | Main | 1923 |
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